The 4-Step System I Use to Boost My Writing Output Without Burning Out
This is how I write more, stress less, and avoid burnout.
Let me start this with a question: What kind of a writer do you think you are? Are you a productive one, or one who struggles with inconsistency, creative blocks, and fatigue?
Answer that for yourself.
The reality is many writers don’t fit into the category of “productive writers”. If you are one of them, then this 4-step system is for you, because I write about prioritizing the right tasks, building a writing routine, leveraging AI, and resting.
Let’s start!
Step 1: Set clear writing priorities
Each writing session consists of more tasks. But, the key to writing more without burnout is to focus on the right ones.
1. Identify your most-impactful writing?
Before anything, ask yourself: What is my most impactful writing?
This requires a little bit of analysis. You want to focus on the form of content that brings you the most growth. Let’s take Substack as an example. Is it Notes that bring you the most subscribers? Is posting long-form content?
The idea is not all writing moves the needle. Prioritize the writing that builds your brand, income, or audience.
2. Use the 80/20 rule
I hate this rule, but you should rely on it.
Not everything you write is bringing you results. Only a part (1 out of 5 Notes/Posts) leads to 80% of your growth. If posts bring the most traffic, then write more of them. If notes aren’t converting, then you should slow down on them.
I am sorry for being so straightforward, but more words don’t always mean more impact. The right words do.
3. Create a “not-to-do” list
I hope you have one.
Be aware that some writing tasks aren’t worth your energy. Why? Because the return is little. Editing endlessly, responding to every comment, or brainstorming without writing should not be on your to-do list.
Minimize them!
It is good to do them, but writing means what matters the most, not doing everything.
4. Schedule your deep work
I know, it sounds cliche! It also sounded to me when I first heard it.
The reality is that high-impact writing needs deep focus. And when I say deep work, I mean set aside any distractions. 60 minutes of deep work is more efficient than 3 hours with your phone in your hands and Wi-Fi on.
You need to do what matters the most and eliminate what doesn’t. Find time for what matters!
Which one are you more into?
Step 2: Build a Repeatable Writing Routine
Oh, Lucian! Not again! Yes, I know… It sounds cliche.
Do you know what else sounds cliche, but is true? The most productive writers don’t rely on motivation, inspiration, imaginary muses, or their cats hitting them with a bomb idea.
They build systems.
When you have a writing system, you eliminate unnecessary decisions and distractions. You are no longer in a context where you have to guess what you have to work on.
1. Set a fixed writing schedule
Don’t-you-ever-wait-for-the-perfect-moment-to-write!
Those who do that, write less. Those who have a daily or weekly schedule and stick to it, write more. You will never see inspiration beating consistency. But, Lucian! That happened once. I saw how consistency got beaten by inspiration.
Yeah, and then you woke up. Don’t forget this: if it’s not scheduled, it won’t happen.
2. Set minimum daily writing goals
What goes perfectly with a fixed writing schedule is having small wins.
I hope you have a daily writing goal. If not, set a small goal. What about 500 words per day? Or, what about 250 words? You don’t like it? Ok! Then set a low-bar goal of 100 words per day. Once you write them, you have a small win.
Small wins lead to bigger wins.
Once you start, you will write more. This is what usually happens.
3. Create rituals to enter "writing mode"
I don’t have a ritual to enter writing mode. I used to have one, but I don’t need one anymore.
But if your brain is knotted to cues and habits, use pre-writing rituals like brewing coffee, petting your cat, or listening to a short podcast. If these trigger your focus, do it.
Rituals can make starting easier.
4. Write first, edit Later
Switching between writing and editing slows you down.
Draft quickly without worrying about mistakes. Editing is a separate step. It also uses a different part of your brain. Writing uses the right one, and editing uses the left one. Switching from one to another is wasting your energy.
Write the draft first.
A messy first draft is better than no draft at all.
Out of these three, the most efficient one is having a fixed writing schedule. I can help you with that.
Step 3: Use AI and Writing Tools to Speed Up the Process
I have good and bad news for you. Which one do you want first?
The good ones, Lucian! I like to start the day in a positive tone.
I believe AI won’t replace writers.
Awesome! What are the bad ones?
Smart writers and those who strive to become more and more productive, use AI to write faster and better.
1. Use AI for brainstorming and outlining
In my first days of writing on Medium, staring at a blank page was my favorite activity.
Then I found out that doing that is the enemy of productivity. Once I started using AI tools, writing became easier. Life became easier. Now, I use AI tools to generate ideas, headlines, and outlines.
I recorded this video to see how I generated around 30 headlines in a minute.
Staring at a blank page is the enemy of productivity.
You have to accelerate the process, and a rough AI draft is better than a blank page.
2. Automate repetitive writing tasks
Some writing tasks are repetitive and exhausting.
Writing notes, tweets, or posts from scratch is not the most efficient way. This is why, start using templates, swipe files, and canned responses for common structures like email pitches, article formats, or social posts.
One of the characteristics of a productive writer is efficiency.
3. Speed up editing without losing quality
Forgot to say AI is good at editing, too.
I use Grammarly or Hemingway Editor for this. Both are good a cleaning up your drafts quickly. In the end, all you need is to do a final pass yourself.
Editing fast means publishing more.
4. Don’t rely too much on AI
AI helps, but it’s not a magic bullet.
Don’t let tools replace your voice or critical thinking. AI is best for speeding up the boring parts, not doing the creative work for you.
Use AI as an assistant, not to replace you. This is the wisest way of using it.
You want to be one of those writers who uses technology to write smarter, not harder. Let AI handle the busy work so you can focus on what matters.
Step 4: Don’t Forget to Take Breaks and Rest
How many times have you gone through a burnout? No need to answer that.
1. Take intentional breaks
More hours ≠ more output.
I have to write a lot daily. Imagine I am writing on Medium, Twitter, Substack, and Upwork. How could I handle this without burning out? You need breaks. You need them.
My writing looks like this: 45-15-45-30. And then repeat in case I have more to write.
2. Don’t forget about your sleep
I said it and I repeat it.
You won’t become a productive writer if you don’t fix your sleep schedule.
3. Do some non-writing creative activities
Your best ideas don’t come from grinding at your desk.
Take walks, read fiction, or try a hobby. Great writing often happens away from the keyboard. I am lucky on this one. I have a family. I want to give them my attention. It is the perfect non-writing activity.
That’s an easy one, though!
Writing is a marathon, not a sprint.
Last Thoughts
Most writers struggle with inconsistency, but productivity isn’t about writing more: it is about writing smarter.
set clear writing priorities
building a routine
leverage AI
take breaks.
Enjoy your writing journey!
What can you do starting from now?
You can start implementing at least one step from here;
Implement all of them;
Or allow me to guide you.
What step do you think is the most crucial? Let me know in the comments.
If you find this useful, let others know about it by sharing and restacking it. It takes only 5 seconds to do it. I would appreciate it!
Also, stay tuned for the next post where I will share Your Only Job as a Writer: Just Write AND Let Everything Else Wait!
What step do you is the most crucial?