Get Energized to Write (Even When You’re Too Tired after Work)

William Burroughs was an exterminator. Harper Lee was a ticket agent. Jack Kerouac was a dishwasher. And Charles Bukowski? A mailman.

Coming home from work exhausted, you wonder, how did they make it work?

Professionals learn to manage their energy.

Find out where your energy is going so you can show up for your passion.

Figure out why you’re too tired to write

When your bank account is low, it’s easy to see why. Glance at your credit card bill for last month and you might find the Apple tore or a fancy Italian restaurant.

Your energy reserves run low in the same way.

Use the 5 Whys Technique

The 5 Whys Technique helps you explore the cause-and-effect relationship between your low energy and daily activities.

Here’s an example:

Problem: I’m too tired to write.

1. Why? I didn’t get enough sleep. (First why)
2. Why? I stayed up too late. (Second why)
3. Why? I was busy on my laptop. (Third why)
4. Why? I was watching Netflix. (Fourth why)
5. Why? It’s a series I’m watching… I’m kind of hooked. (Fifth why, a root cause)

The questioning can be taken further, but five iterations is usually enough to find a root cause. The outcome of this example? The writer needs more sleep. They can try an evening shut down routine by shutting down all electronics and bright lights an hour before bedtime.

Another example:

Problem: I’m too tired to write.

1. Why? My workday was exhausting. (First why)
2. Why? I was in meetings all day. (Second why)
3. Why? As an introvert, meetings tend to drain my energy. (Third why)
4. Why? I get my energy from alone time. (Fourth why, a root cause)

In this case, the writer has too many meetings, and maybe they’re an introvert in an extrovert’s job. They need to either manage their energy or change their job (I wrote Escape the Rat Race to explore solutions to this problem).

After understanding why you’re too tired to write, you’re ready to explore solutions.

Optimize when you write

Sean McCabe was a night owl writer. He ran an experiment comparing his writing output at night versus day:

When I woke up early and started my day with writing the word count results were double that of my Night Owl output.
-Sean McCabe

McCabe then permanently switched his writing routine to the morning. Research confirms McCabe’s experiment. A two year study analyzed the mood of 500 million tweets (see the journal Science). The results show that our moods peak early in the morning, hit a low point in the afternoon, and rise again in the evening. (When by Daniel Pink explores this extensively.)

What does this mean for you? You likely have more energy in the morning. Try waking up earlier and writing before work.

Break up your day

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
-The Shining

Schedule breaks throughout your day to replenish your energy. Put breaks on your calendar so you’re reminded to take them. Treat your breaks like important meetings you need to attend.

After an eight hour workday, you’ve depleted much of your willpower. Doing an unwind activity helps you recharge. Try having dinner, meditating, or exercising before writing.

If you plan to write after work, give yourself a chance to unwind first. Share on X

Buy back more time and energy by saying no

Say no more often to prioritize writing time.

Say no to taking on extra responsibilities at work not aligned with your growth.

Say no to social activities that feel more like obligations than meaningful connections.

Say no to intrusive app notifications on your phone.

Say no to starting a Netflix series you know you’ll get sucked into.

Who you are, what you think, feel, and do, what you love—is the sum of what you focus on. - Cal Newport Share on X

Seven more tips for when you’re too tired to write

1. Start small: Instead of a large goal like 1000 words per day, try 50 words per day.
2. Try writing when you’re tired: As your inhibitions are lower, you become more creative, like writing after having a beer.
3. Read something inspiring: Ten minutes before you write, read something motivational. This can give you the boost you need.
4. Become your own writing coach: In a journal, ask your higher self what it needs and what to write about.
5. Come prepared the day before: Give yourself a writing topic the day before. If you have more time, prepare an outline for your writing topic.
6. Stop using backspace and delete: Writing without editing focuses your creative energy.
7. Get good sleep: Shoot for seven to eight, see my post on natural sleep aids for writers.

Stop using backspace and delete keys to focus your creative energy. Share on X

Key Takeaways

• Figure out where your energy is going. Try the 5 Whys technique to explore the cause-and-effect relationship between your low energy and activities.
• Wake up earlier and write before work. This is is a research-proven way to write when you’ve got more energy.
• Schedule breaks throughout your day to stay energized. Treat your breaks like important meetings to attend.
• Buy back more time by saying no and prioritizing writing time.
• Start small by setting a mini goal like “write 50 words per day.” (Get my free Don’t Break The Chain printable to keep yourself accountable.)

(photo by Bruno Cervera)