The first thing I did when I started writing this post was look up the word “speed” in a dictionary. It turns out that speed is defined as “the rate of movement or progress,” and it can be used both positively (as in “a fast runner”) and negatively (as in “he writes too slowly”).
I also looked up the word “fast” in my dictionary, which led me to discover that there are two definitions for this word. The first definition is “quickly done; finished quickly.” This means that if you write faster, your work will get done more quickly. But what does it mean to write “faster?” Does it mean that you should write more words per minute? Or more pages per hour? Or fewer mistakes?
How do we know how fast someone else is writing? We don’t. If you want to write faster, you need to find out how fast other people are writing and then try to match their pace. I’m not talking about the AI writer that you got from an AppSumo lifetime deals.
How do you measure how fast someone else is doing something? You ask them!
Here is how to improve your writing speed:
- Start with an easy task
It’s easier to see how fast you’re going than it is to figure out how fast someone else is going. So start by trying to write one page. Then move on to one paragraph. Then one sentence. Once you have written those sentences, you’ll have a better idea of where you stand.
Moreover, starting with an small task will keep you on track without getting bored.
- Keep track of time
If you’re not keeping track of the time you spend on each project, you won’t know whether you’re moving at a good clip or whether you’re dragging along. Set a timer for yourself so you can keep track of how long it takes you to complete a certain amount of work.
You can use pomodoro timer app to keep track of your time.
- Use a stopwatch
If you use a digital watch, set it to count seconds instead of minutes. If you use an analog watch, set it to read out loud every five minutes. Either way, you’ll get a sense of how much time has passed since you began working.
- Don’t compare yourself to others
You may think that if you finish a task in less time than another person, you must be doing it faster. But you’re probably wrong. What matters most is how many words you produce in a given period of time. If you’re producing twice as many words as the next guy, you’re still getting the same number of words done.
Remember, don’t try to proofread your content after finishing writing. Give yourself break and use online proofreading tools to find grammatical and punctuation errors.
- Be realistic about your goals
You might think that you could write three times as many words in half the time. But if you’re really aiming to write 3,000 words in 30 days, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Instead, aim to write 500 words per day. Even if you end up writing 1,500 words in 30 days, that’s still a pretty impressive accomplishment.
- Write every day
Writing every day helps you develop the discipline needed to stick with a daily schedule. And because you’re writing every day, you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished something even if you only manage to write a few hundred words.
- Work on several projects simultaneously
When you’re writing, you’re always thinking about what comes next. When you’re interrupted, you lose focus. By tackling several projects at once, you give yourself plenty of opportunities to return to your current project when you’re ready.
- Take breaks
When you sit down to write, take some time to stretch your legs. Walk around the house, go outside, or do whatever it takes to clear your head.
Taking break will keep you fresh and motivated to your writing goals.
- Read aloud
Read aloud whenever possible. It forces you to slow down and pay attention to the details of your prose. Plus, reading aloud gives you feedback about your writing. If you find yourself struggling to remember a word or phrase, you can look it up.
- Get help from friends
Ask other writers to critique your work. Or ask them to proofread your drafts. You don’t need to tell them why you want their input; just explain that you’d appreciate any advice they can offer.
Sometimes you can get valuable ideas from others that you might never think of.
- Make sure you have enough time
Don’t try to write more than you can handle. If you’ve got too much work to do, you’re likely to procrastinate. That means you’ll never get anything done. So make sure you have enough time to write.
- Keep a notebook nearby
Whenever you start to feel overwhelmed by all the things you have to do, pull out a pad of paper and jot down a list of everything you need to accomplish. Then prioritize those tasks.
You can also take help of online notepad or Trello.
- Do one thing at a time
If you’re trying to write a novel, don’t spend your entire morning editing chapters. Start with the first chapter, then move onto the second chapter, etc.
In conclusion, writing is skill that anyone can learn by practicing consistently. Most important if you are determine then you can learn write faster than you used to be.
Follow the above mentioned tips to improve your writing speed.
