Book Writing And Marketing - 5 Steps To A Giant Leap Forward

When I wanted to increase my weight loss results, my trainer encouraged me to do intervals. So now I pepper my hour-long walks with 3 or 4 times when I flat out run. (Think Phoebe from "Friends," but not quite as graceful.)

The interval training accomplishes things for me on several fronts: it gets my heart racing in the moment as I'm physically pushing myself to move with more speed, plus it gets me to my end goal faster (literally & figuratively).

After I was done with my last session, the small part of my brain not busy taking in as much oxygen as possible came up with a connection between interval training and book writing: in both cases, short bursts of speed work means you can get your book done a lot faster than you ever thought possible.

Short Bursts of Speed Work Gets Your Book Done Fast

Here's how you can apply "intervals" to your schedule to make big progress on your book (or, actually, any project you find hanging over your head):

1.Concentrated effort. Make a quick list of what you have to do to get your book done. Break down the items so that each one, with dedicated effort, will take between 20 minutes and an hour.

These items might range from doing some market research to creating a table of contents or outlining a chapter. Then peg which one of those items is the next step to getting your book done. Commit to working on that item--and only that item--for the next period of time you designate as "book writing time."

2.No distractions. Shut down your internet browser and, yes, your email. (Although it pains me to say it, I have to admit that it's probably one of the biggest time sucks around.) Shut the door. Unplug your phone--that's why there's voicemail.

3.Work in short bursts. There's a reason we can't work so intensely all the time: it's effective, but draining. So set the clock and work in shorter periods of time--50 minutes is ideal, but you'll still get a lot done if it's only 20 or 30 minutes. The key is to focus 100 percent of your energy to getting this next step done, done, done.

4.Make your last push the strongest. My trainer, Jeanie, says the last interval is the most important. That's when she recommends pushing yourself so that at the end you're absolutely spent--but kinda impressed with yourself and what you accomplished. The same with your book writing interval time. You might be tempted to stop with a few minutes left, but I encourage you to push yourself to follow through on your commitment and get that final burst of thought out of your head and onto the screen or page. It can be that extra effort that causes the whole project to take a big leap forward.

5.Celebrate! I usually end my interval training mornings with a half-decaf-sugar-free vanilla non-fat latte, but sometimes I choose to take an extra spin around the block (in my car) while singing along real loud with a favorite song (not "Smelly Cat"). It doesn't matter how you decide to pat yourself on the back--just be sure to do it. Trust me, it will make that next writing "workout" that much easier.

Donna Kozik, founder of MyBigBusinessCard.com, is a book writing & publishing consultant who shows business owners how to write their book quickly and easily to create a no-fail marketing tool. Find out what mistakes to avoid and how close you are to publishing success with a Free Special Report & Quiz at http://www.MyBigBusinessCard.com