Book Review - I Don't Have Time to Write by Nadine Hill

I'm not usually one for self-help or improvement books, but my sister-in-law, Lizzie, gave me this one for Christmas. It looked good and it was relevant, so why not?

SYNOPSIS: 

Turbo Boost Your Writing Productivity Whether you write for a living or whether you have a writing project that's absorbing your time, it's very likely that you're over-worked, over-stretched and under a deadline. No matter what you have to get written - from a book, a blog or a press release to an article, an advertisement or anything in between - it always pays to get it written quickly and efficiently. If time is pressing but the desire to get your non-fiction work written is pressing just as hard, or if you catch yourself saying "I don't have time..." this book is for you! Author, mum and time-management guru, Nadine Hill shares a wealth of tried-and-tested tips, tactics and techniques to help you complete your next writing project in less time. Nadine Hill is a busy working mum ("Is there any other kind?!") who has a fascination with time management which borders on the obsessive! She loves to find more effective ways of doing the daily juggle whilst enjoying the journey and has lots of practise through raising her two children, managing her small business, being a best-selling author, running her home, public speaking and finding time to get to the gym! Nadine lives in Yorkshire, UK with her husband, two young children and two mischievous cats! (Waterstone’s)

REVIEW: 

Ok, I won't lie. At the beginning this book seriously annoyed me - the amount of times she goes on and on about reaching best-seller status with her first book and how her life runs so smoothly because she is sooo organized did get on my nerves. 

But eventually she put it aside and dished out some really good advice. A few pages in, she even admits that things don't always go according to her plans. Thank God! I was beginning to wonder if she was human!

By the end of the book I had learned some really good lessons and I couldn't agree more with her opinion that eventually, if you want to make anything out of your life and although certain things just can't be helped, you have to stop blaming everything and everyone else for the shortcomings and take some responsibility for the choices you make. Yes, this book does work like that kick up your backside to get you in the zone and focused. God knows I really needed that recently and I'm already putting her advice to good use (my husband was rather puzzled by the sophisticated and elaborate timetable I put up on the fridge with my schedule and plans).

There are some really good techniques here to spark your creativity, help you focus quickly when you are short for time, as well as develop your writing as you would develop a business - because in the end of the day it's your business and your talent is your employee. But essentially, it just questions what you want to do, what is really important to you, and encourages you to declutter and prioritize. She is a big preacher for doing what you enjoy and living a happy life rather than spinning aimlessly in the hamster wheel going nowhere. And I'm converted. Amen sister! 

One thing she said will stick with me. It goes something like this: "Your minutes make your hours, your hours make your days, your days make your years and your years make your life. So time management is not only about living well, but living to the full." 

If you are a writer who is currently struggling to fit it all in and finish your projects or even get inspired, this book is for you. It's also for anyone wanting some interesting PR tips as Nadine Hill used to work in PR and draws on that experience to suggest a series of good strategies to get your ideas, blog, website and book where people can see. No. She won't do it for you or give you the names of people who will; she just gives you that much needed push and inspiration to get your mind in gear.

Book Rating: *****

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