My Secrets to Writing More in Half the Time (Without Burning Out)

Unlock these 3 writing superpowers

Dall-E

Most professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs know that writing online is important, but they’ve never written a single word. Why?

Because they don’t have time. Between meetings, emails, and the rigors of daily life, something as niche as writing always takes a backseat. The idea of sitting down to craft a thoughtful piece feels overwhelming.

And I’m sure it’s like this for you as well. It’s slow. Frustrating. Draining.

This was how I started. Writing didn’t come naturally to me. I was one of those people who had to learn the craft from the ground up, by doing. And 4 years after I’ve started working as a writer , I’m proud to say I’ve got a better system.

Because you can write faster, with quality, and without letting your business (or work) crash and burn in the background.

The secret isn’t working harder. It’s writing smarter.

And today, you’re going to learn exactly how to do that.

Why writing feels like a time sink

Writing often takes too long because it lacks structure. Without a clear plan, you meander. You start a sentence, erase it, then stare at the blinking cursor. Hours pass, and you’ve barely made progress.

Then there’s inconsistency. If you only write when you feel like it, every session starts from scratch. You can’t build off of some previous momentum.

There’s a concept that I’ve heard from Ali Abdaal, something about the penalty of starting. It’s premise is that starting a thing is always the most difficult part of the process. Once you’ve started, you’ve build some speed and it’s easier on your brain to continue.

But if you don’t have writing structure and consistency, you essentially pay the starting penalty every time you try to do something.

Those two are pretty big problems, but there’s one other culprit: Waiting for inspiration.

It’s a trap -- a seductive excuse. You tell yourself, I’ll write when the right idea hits me. After all, I’m an important founder/business man/professional. My time is better spent doing things that matter.

But days pass. Sometimes weeks.

And of course nothing happens.

The cost of inefficient writing

This cycle has consequences.

Writers, professionals, entrepreneurs who want to build a brand never get started, scared of this hurdle.

But the consequences are more significant to those who’ve already started putting their fingers to the keyboard. You may have felt inspired to write that one article, determined to build an audience.

But then the next one is so much more difficult.

Burnout creeps in. Writing feels like a chore instead of a creative outlet. You push yourself, but the effort doesn’t match the output.

Doubt takes over. Why is this so hard? Am I even good at this? You start questioning if writing is worth the effort at all.

Creativity suffers. Instead of experimenting, you overthink. Instead of playing with ideas, you hesitate. Writing becomes something you endure, rather than something you enjoy.

And here’s the harsh truth: If writing feels like a slog every time, you won’t keep doing it.

3 ways to write more without the mental anguish

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Did you know that? Most people never stuck around to find out.

But, if you’ve always been thinking of building an audience around your business, or idea, this is your light at the end of the tunnel. You don’t need to suffer this way.

Sure, writing is painful in other ways. But it should never be the flow of idea itself. That is entirely “fixable.”

Here are three ways how.

1. Develop a writing routine

Habits make writing easier. They remove decision fatigue, they create “automaticity.”

Pick a time. It doesn’t have to be every day, but it should be consistent. Maybe it’s 30 minutes every morning. Maybe it’s three times a week after dinner. What matters is that you train your brain to expect it.

Use triggers. Pair writing with something you already do. After your first cup of coffee? Perfect. Right before bed? Great. Triggers make starting effortless.

Lastly, forget intensity. Writing is not a sprint. Not even a marathon. When you’re just starting, it’s more like a daily slow walk for someone who just fixed a broken lef. You limp, but you limp every day.

Consistency matters more. Writing for 20 minutes every day is better than a 4-hour marathon once a month.

Build momentum. With enough time, small steps compound into massive progress.

2. Systematize your writing process

Writers waste time deciding what to write instead of actually writing.

The fix: Systems.

Use templates and outlines. These eliminate the blank-page problem. They give you a starting point so you’re never staring at an empty screen, wondering where to begin.

Here are some of the most important templates I’ve found.

• Outlines

• Headlines

• Hooks

• Editing

• Intros and conclusions

• Prompts

Another tip: batch your tasks.

Idea generation, drafting, and editing require different mindsets. Don’t switch between them. Instead, separate these stages. Brainstorm a list of topics once a week. Write rough drafts in focused sprints. Edit on another day. This keeps your brain from constantly shifting gears.

Track your progress. A simple spreadsheet or journal works. Seeing how much you’ve written fuels motivation. And motivation fuels consistency.

Systems are by far one of the highest-leverage things you can do for your writing. The systems I’ve built around my own practice has helped me maintain multiple clients, while also creating content for this brand.

I’ve also helped 30+ professionals, entrepreneurs, completely new to writing develop their own systems. It works.

Passing these insights to you is, in part, the mission of the newsletter Write10x.

3. Use AI Mindfully

AI is a powerful ally.

It is NOT a crutch.

It speeds up your workflow, but if you abuse it, you’ll go three steps back.

Use AI for brainstorming.

Stuck on ideas? Let AI generate writing prompts. It won’t always be perfect, but it can kickstart your creativity.

Speed up research. Instead of sifting through dozens of articles, let AI summarize key insights. This saves hours. Literally.

Draft smarter. AI can help with first drafts, but don’t just copy and paste. Refine. Add your perspective. Make it yours. Your voice is irreplaceable. Don’t let AI flatten it.

The writing shortcut you’ve been looking for

Writing doesn’t have to be slow. It doesn’t have to be exhausting.

A simple routine keeps you consistent. A structured system keeps you efficient. AI, when used right, makes everything faster.

Put these three strategies together, and something incredible happens: Writing becomes easy. Ideas flow. Words come naturally. You write more—without burning out.

Master these and you’ll never struggle to write again.

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PS. Are you still on the fence about starting to write? Or have you started, but are facing resistance? Drop your biggest hurdles in the comments.