I had all these plans. Plans for my second non-fiction book to be about heroes or maybe characters more generally.
But like Lennon said,
“Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.”
And no matter what I do, it’s not characters I’m thinking about. It’s productivity. I mean, just two weeks ago, I wrote about productivity and Cal Newport’s book Deep Work.
I guess now I understand the phrase write what you know. Productivity is where my focus is at, so writing about anything else is proving difficult.
I feel like Jim Carrey in Liar Liar, when he’s desperate to tell a simple lie: he wants to say the pen is red when it’s blue.
Only I’m trying to convince myself the next book I write is on characters when all that keeps coming out is productivity.
Balls.
Don’t you hate it when that happens?
“They see productivity as a scientific problem to systematically solve-” Cal Newport, DEEP WORK p.39
That was one of the quotes from two weeks ago, and I’m still thinking about it. See non-fiction books solve problems. I NEED to solve the productivity problem. I guess in the end, you have to face the fact the pen is blue and I have to write the damn book on productivity.
Which means I need your help.
I like doing research before I embark on a non-fiction project so that whatever I craft is fit for purpose. So below is a survey on productivity. With questions on your writing style, techniques, and problems. I’d be super grateful if you’d help me out and fill it in. It’s completely anonymous, I won’t know who you are 😀 and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
Let me know what your best tip for productivity is in the comments.
You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads
Ritu says
Done!
Sacha Black says
Yay thank you so much 💖
Ritu says
No worries hun… see I’m procrastinating on my writing already… 😉 filling your survey in instead! 💜
Ali Isaac says
Looks like another interesting book coming up! 😊💕
Lucy Mitchell says
This is such a good post Sacha. I am going to tweet with pleasure!
Sacha Black says
Thanks Lucy 🙂 it doesn’t feel like much of a post to me more of a favour of everyone 😂😂 but thank you for the lovely comment 💖💖
Lucy Mitchell says
Anything on productivity gets me going.
Sacha Black says
😂😂
jenanita01 says
My answers to your questions have triggered a major re think, what if I am doing everything wrong? Thanks for that, Sacha, I think…
Sacha Black says
Uh oh, not at all my goal, I want to help everyone. Thing is we can only do our best, whatever way you’re doing is right for you, now. There is no magic bullet, just lots of mini ones!
jenanita01 says
Making me look long and hard at what I do, can never be a bad thing you know…
Sacha Black says
😍😍😍😍 glad to hear it growth and change are always opportunities to thrive
suzie81speaks says
Keep a daily checklist of tasks and a tracker of your progress – it’s really useful when you feel like you haven’t done much…
Sacha Black says
Sigh, if only I had a friend that was awesome with them! 😜
suzie81speaks says
Hahahaha!
Mick Canning says
Done!
Sacha Black says
You star thank you 💖
Adele Marie says
Filled it in. I also ordered Cal’s book based on your review and it arrived Friday. Am currently trying to find time to read it, lol, I know. xxx
Sacha Black says
Thank you, Adele <3 really appreciate the support 😀
Charles Yallowitz says
Fun questionnaire.
Sacha Black says
Hehe thanks Charles 🙂
Rachel says
All set. 🙂
Sacha Black says
Thank you 😍
Rachel says
Let me know if you need anything else!
Sacha Black says
Thanks my lovely 🙂
Sacha Black says
You star thank you
ellenbest24 says
Completed.
Sacha Black says
Thank you my lovely xx
ellenbest24 says
You’re welcome. X
Jennifer says
I know it wasn’t your goal, but this post and survey was truly eye-opening and motivating. Time to set some goals and get writing. Thanks!
Sacha Black says
Ahhh, thank you. Well as long as it helped, that’s all that matters. I hope you set those goals 😀
Allie P. says
I approve of this redirection – not that you asked. While I still think that another book on characterization would fit with what you’ve already written, I think there are many who would benefit from your style / tough love approach on productivity.
Sacha Black says
BAHAHAA I just snorted out loud! This is why I love you. I mean basically I was just jealous that you had a secret book, so I had to make a secret book of my own, except cats out of the bag and it isn’t so secret any more! :p
I will do that other book. But apparently productivity screamed louder. What’s an author to do? *shrug*
Allie P. says
What secret book? No. No secret books to see here. Wait, what is that over there! *points. Runs away*
Sacha Black says
lolllllllllll.
Sarah Brentyn says
“Do you struggle with productivity?” Is this a trick question?
Is there an “All of the above” option?
So cool that you’re writing this! I’ll be back to fill your survey out. Anonymous, my ass. You’ll totally know which one is mine. O_o
Sacha Black says
LOL to all of the above, you do make me laugh. I’ve added email address columns now in case people want to sign up to hear about the book so not as anonymous, but LOL earlier today there were a few anonymous ones that I spotted who they were!
Jane Dougherty says
Done. I’m ever so boring—answered no to every question.
Sacha Black says
Well at least you don’t struggle, that’s a positive I don’t think most people can say 😀
Jane Dougherty says
Writing makes a great excuse for not doing the things I ought to be doing 🙂
Sacha Black says
Bahaha the only thing we should be doing is writing 😜
Jane Dougherty says
On that note, I’m going back to culling the pots in the garden.
Jane Dougherty says
Except important stuff like sorting the plants in the garden, deciding which we’ll take with us and which we’ll leave, potting up the lucky winners. I hate it!
noellekelly says
Done!
D. Wallace Peach says
You’re funny, Sacha. Go for it – I’m certainly interested in seeing what you come up with. 😀
Sacha Black says
Hehe thank you Diana, well we shall see, hopefully it’s of use to someone :p
TanGental says
All done even though the caption on that first gif nearly had me snorting fit to invert my spleen – then i noticed the tiny gap between the last 2 words… *off to the opticians
Sacha Black says
😂😂😂😂😂 lol u di crack me up geofflw
shaunkellett says
Filled out! Sorry for the Essays…
Sacha Black says
Haha don’t be sorry I’m grateful
shaunkellett says
Not to shamelessly self promote or anything, but my post on Monday was a bit about procrastination/disorganisation… Not sure if it would help your research at all… Procrastination is something I am VERY familiar with! Haha
Sarina Langer (@sarinalanger) says
Done! 🙂 I had a quote in mind for the advice on writing question but didn’t have time to look it up (I’m at work right now), can I send it to you later? 🙂 I know I have a picture of it somewhere…
Sacha Black says
Thank you for completing it and yes please that would be awesome I LOVE quotes 😁😁😁
Sarina Langer (@sarinalanger) says
I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner! I’ll send the quote over when I’m home later 🙂
Evadene says
Done!
Sacha Black says
Thanks so much 😀
robbiesinspiration says
I have done this, Sacha. I am not sure if I am much help as I have such limited time to write that when I get a moment to do so I try and get as much done as possible.
Sacha Black says
Thank you so much Robbie 😀 😀 really appreciate it
Marje @ Kyrosmagica says
I’ve got to go to work. Sigh. That’s whats getting in the way of my productivity! But, will fill this in later Sacha and try to remember to share to my Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook.