Getting my shit together - September edition

One of the hardest things about being a writer in the modern world is the sheer number of roles you have to play. It's not enough any more to just write books and send them in to your editor; you have to do a lot of your own marketing as well, including managing your online platform. And of course if you're self-publishing, the list gets even longer, because you're now running your own business, acting as CEO, advertising executive and production editor, among other things.

Now, I pride myself on being a pretty well-organised person; after all, I've been following the Getting Things Done system for well over a decade. But a to-do list by itself is only half the equation. In order to make real progress, you have to be honest with yourself about what it is you really want, and what resources—time, energy and money—you have available to achieve those goals.

I've been following indie author Sarra Cannon on YouTube for a few years now, and I never cease to be impressed by her kindness and generosity of spirit. Her channel for writers, Heart Breathings, is full of free advice on both the craft of writing and how to organise your writing life, but after absorbing all she had to offer, I knew I needed to take it to the next level.

I therefore signed up for her HB90 Bootcamp, a week-long course on how to set goals, choose the projects that will help you achieve those goals, then manage your to-do list day by day, week by week, over a 90 day period.

Using this system I've just had my most productive quarter in a long time, and I'm really looking forward to planning Q4!

(Disclaimer - this post contains affiliate links from which I will earn a small commission.)

The course costs $199 (which can be paid in installments) and includes a printable workbook and planner for the upcoming quarter. You get lifetime access, and there's a private FaceBook group and Discord server where you can share your experiences with other writers.

There's still time to sign up to the Q4 Bootcamp and get your shit together too!

Course Dates This Round: September 11-17th, with the live kick-off call on the 11th at 3PM EST, via Facebook or YouTube

Enrollment will close at 12 noon EST (5pm UK time) September 11th.