Ever feel like there’s just never enough time to write your book, build your creative dream, or get that idea off the ground? Like you're juggling flaming swords while trying to whisper a sonnet?
You're not alone. It’s one of the most common laments I hear from aspiring authors and creators: “I just don’t have enough time.”
But here’s the truth we often forget: we all get the same 168 hours each week. Subtract the hours for sleep, and you’re still left with close to 100 waking hours. So why do some people seem to flow forward on their big goals while others feel stuck in the swamp of “someday”?
Two words: systems and energy.
Let’s break this down together, Write On Purpose style.
1. Expand Your Existence Systems — Or Risk Shrinking Your Dreams
Think you’re overcommitted? Maybe. But more likely, you’ve just outgrown your current “existence system.”
Let me explain.
An existence system is how you structure your day, your week, your space, and your support. It’s the scaffolding around your life. And if you’re trying to build a purpose-fueled castle on a matchstick scaffolding, well… you can imagine how that goes.
As we step into our Divinely Inspired Life Purpose (as the Life On Purpose Process teaches), we start to see a bigger vision. More possibilities. More projects that actually matter to our soul.
But if we don’t upgrade our systems—calendar habits, boundaries, tech tools, people power—those dreams get heavy. Overwhelm creeps in. We think we need to cut back, when in truth we just need a bigger plate.
Action Step:
Do a quick scan: What projects or commitments currently light you up? And what’s one structure (a person, a tool, a habit) you could add or adjust to support it?
Maybe it's booking weekly “creator dates” with yourself. Maybe it's getting help with tech. Maybe it's asking your partner for protected writing time. (Okay, I’ll say it: Maybe it means hiring a Write On Purpose Coach to support you.) One tweak can open the floodgates.
While I’ve used many different existence systems over the decades of being a coach and writer, over the past year, I’ve developed my own simple system with the use of my Remarkable Notebook.
2. Manage Your Energy Like a Sprinter, Not a Marathoner
According to The Power of Full Engagement by Loehr & Schwartz, energy—not time—is the fundamental currency of high performance.
That’s big.
You don’t need to cram more into your calendar. You need to pulse better.
Sprinters know this. They go all-in for a short burst—and then rest fully before the next go. And they perform better because of it.
Yet many of us (especially creators!) treat life like one long-distance grind, dragging ourselves forward with caffeine, guilt, and to-do lists that weigh more than our dogs. That’s a recipe for burnout, not brilliance.
Energy has four dimensions: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. When you attend to all four, you're not just getting more done—you’re getting the right things done from the right place.
Action Step:
What is one energy-renewing ritual you could add this week? Could be walking in nature, journaling after your morning coffee, five minutes of silence before bed, or even a midday dance break. Find your version of “between the points” recovery.
Here’s the Bottom Line, My Fellow Creator
Your purpose-inspired dreams don’t need more hours. They need more energy, more alignment, and more support.
So instead of asking, “How can I find more time?”
Ask, “How can I flow more energy into what matters most?”
Upgrade your systems. Honor your rhythms. Keep your Purpose Projects alive and breathing. And always remember—this isn't about productivity for productivity’s sake. It's about expressing who you truly are, in a world that’s hungry for your voice.
Feeling inspired? Great. Now take a few moments to reflect:
When during the week do you feel most energized—and when do you flatline?
Where have your systems stopped matching the size of your dreams?
What would shift if you managed your energy like a sprinter, not a grinder?
Tiny shifts in awareness can unlock massive movement. Remember, one key step is taking insights you’ve gleaned and put it into action so let’s start by picking one of the above questions and sharing your answer with this community.
Remember Our New Feature: Every legitimate comment will enter you to win an autograph copy of Rainforest Shaman (book 1 of the Eagle and the Condor series) or Write On Purpose: Authoring Your Legacy in the Second Half of Your Life. Your choice. That’s how much I value hearing from you. You deserve a reward.
Let’s keep creating on purpose.
Brad (Your Write On Purpose Coach)
P.S. If you’re an aspiring author who's tired of going it alone, imagine the momentum you could create by partnering with an experienced author and coach who's been helping people like you for over 35 years. I’d love to explore what’s possible together: https://wbradfordswift.com/coach
And hey—know someone else with a book in their heart? I have a referral program to thank those who help other authors find the support they need: https://wbradfordswift.com/referral/
Let’s grow this purpose-powered creative community—one aligned author at a time.
Share this post