@dickiebush: Over the last 4 years, I've wr...

Over the last 4 years, I've written every morning for 90 minutes.

And I can point every good thing that’s happened back to this simple practice.

As we head into 2024, here are 5 dead-simple steps you can use to build a daily writing (and actually stick with it)

By the end of this post, you will have:

1. Found the time to write
2. Generated 12 months of ideas
2. Set a daily publishing cadence
4. Overcome your procrastination
5. Created a bulletproof accountability system

Just in time for 2024.

Let's dig in!

Step 1. Design your writing routine in a single sentence.

This is immediately where most people go wrong.

They set a vague goal to "start writing."

Instead, you want to define:

• When you're writing
• Where you're writing
• For how long you're writing

Here's an example:

A bad way to build a writing habit:

→ "I want to start writing."

A good way to build a writing habit:

→ "Every morning at 8 AM, I will sit at my desk with a cup of coffee and write for 20 minutes."

This is a clearly defined when, where, and for how long.

But how do you decide these?

By discovering your Sacred Hours.

To find your Sacred Hours, ask yourself 2 questions:

1. What time of day am I most productive?
2. What time of day can I be least reachable?

The overlap of these two times are your Sacred Hours.

During that time, start small and commit to just 20 minutes.

Step 2. Set a consistent output cadence.

Now, just having the time to write is not enough—you need to actually publish what you write.

So pick 1 platform and commit to publishing something there consistently—no matter how "ready" it feels.

Here are some examples for inspiration:

1. Publish 1 tweet per day on X
2. Publish 1 post per day on LinkedIn
3. Publish 1 blog post per week on your blog (not recommended)

For me, I'm excited to publish a daily (an Atomic Essay, long-form post, or thread) on X for all 365 days in 2024.

Now you might be thinking—what do I write about?

Step 3. Use the 2-Year Test to come up with ideas for your core topics.

Whether you think so or not, you have hundreds of ideas to write about.

You can't see them because they've become obvious to you—so you need to unlock them.

And to do that, you can use the 2-Year Test.

Here's how it works:

Ask yourself, over the last 2 years, what:

• Skills have you built?
• Struggles have you faced?
• Hobbies have you picked up?
• Problems have you overcome?
• Topics have you learned about?

From this list, choose 3 topics that most excite you.

With your core topics chosen, it's time to generate ideas by applying the 4A Framework.

You can write about every topic in 4 ways using the 4A Framework:

• Actionable (here's how)
• Analytical (here's a breakdown)
• Aspirational (yes, you can)
• Anthropological (here's why)

Here's an example:

Based on the 4A framework, use these proven methods to talk about your idea:

• Tips
• Stats
• Steps
• Stories
• Quotes
• Benefits
• Lessons
• Reasons
• Mistakes
• Examples
• Questions
• Frameworks

There's plenty here to get you started!

But now, the most important step:

Step 4. Overcome procrastination by killing your "onces."

If you're still reading this, you have everything you need to start writing online every day.

But chances are, you won't feel ready, because "now isn't the perfect time."

So here's some harsh truth:

The timing will never be right.

• "Once work slows down"
• "Once I feel like I've read enough books"
• "Once I complete my Notion dashboard"

These "onces" are procrastination—because "once" they happen, you find more reasons to put it off.

So there's no better time than today.

Step 5. Immerse yourself in accountability & community.

I learned this one the hard way—because my first 9 months writing online were incredibly lonely.

I wasted hundreds of hours writing and publishing on a blog no one knew existed.

At that point, I was ready to give up.

But in November 2020, I found a way to surround myself with other writers.

And this meant I always had:

• Feedback from others (so I improved quickly)
• Accountability to keep writing (since everyone else was writing too)

Suddenly, writing every day was easy AND fun.

And this accountability is exactly what Ship 30 for 30 offers.

Tomorrow, January 1st, 2024, hundreds of writers will kickstart the new year by writing and publishing every day for 30 days.

So, if you want to finally start writing in 2024, join us!

There's a link to join in the reply to this post.

5 dead-simple steps to build a writing habit in 2024:

1. Design your writing routine
2. Set your daily publishing cadence
3. Use the 2-Year Test + 4A Framework
4. Demolish procrastination by killing your "onces"
5. Create a bulletproof community accountability system

And that's it!

Everything you need to build a daily writing habit and start writing online in 2024.

If you found this helpful:

Like, retweet, and bookmark this post so you can find it later and others can find it too.

And if you want to join me and hundreds of others to kick off the new year on the right foot, join Ship 30 for 30—the link is in the reply to this post.

Want to kickstart the new year by writing and publishing every day for 30 days?

Then join me and hundreds of other writers in the 1st Ship 30 for 30 cohort of 2024!

It starts tomorrow, January 1st.

Sign up here: ship30for30.com