How to Write a Book While Working Full-Time

Journalist Joshua Nelken-Zitser faced a daunting challenge: he had less than a year to research and write an 80,000-word book while juggling a demanding 9-to-5 job. Rather than sacrificing sleep—a non-negotiable for his productivity—he turned to intentional time management and specific productivity habits to achieve his goal.

By analyzing his schedule and utilizing digital tools, Nelken-Zitser finished his first draft several weeks ahead of his deadline. His approach focused on three main pillars: systematic tracking, celebrating wins, and working smarter, not harder. These methods allowed him to balance his passion project with his career and personal life effectively.

Unlike many creatives who burn the midnight oil, Joshua Nelken-Zitser recognized that sleep was essential for his productivity. He observed that peers often sacrificed rest to find time for passion projects, citing Nathaneo Johnson, a student at Yale who ran a startup and often worked 18-hour days.

However, Nelken-Zitser knew he could not function on less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep. He noted that sleep deprivation made him "grouchy," prone to losing focus, and more susceptible to illness. Because sleep was non-negotiable, he had to find time elsewhere in his schedule.

He calculated that by cutting down on leisure activities—such as watching "Below Deck," reading fiction, and social dinners—he could free up significant time. Specifically, he aimed for roughly two hours on workdays and eight hours on weekends.

By dedicating specific blocks of time to writing, Nelken-Zitser realized the workload was feasible. Across the eleven months between signing his deal with HarperCollins UK and his deadline, his freed-up hours totaled nearly 1,000 potential hours.

He approached the project with scientific precision, viewing the timeline as an equation. He understood that chipping away at the work steadily was far superior to cramming at the last minute. This mindset shift allowed him to view the project as manageable rather than overwhelming.

Despite taking days off to relax, socialize, and go on vacation, he finished his first draft weeks early. He did not need to use the full 1,000 hours he had theoretically calculated, proving the efficiency of his planned approach.

Nelken-Zitser attributed his success to three specific habits that he maintained throughout the writing process.

1. Create a System and Stick to It

He utilized Google Sheets to track his progress meticulously. He built a formula that calculated his daily word count target based on his total goal and the days remaining. This "gamified" the process, making it motivating to watch the daily target shrink. He noted that being consistent on average provided enough buffer for unexpected interruptions like reporting trips.

2. Celebrate Small Wins

To avoid burnout and isolation, Nelken-Zitser ensured he had at least one enjoyable activity each week. He and his husband celebrated milestones—such as reaching a third, halfway, and two-thirds of the book—with dinners or bottles of Prosecco. He also prioritized the gym to stay happy and healthy.

3. Work Smart, Not Hard

He adopted a mindset of efficiency by using online tools. Instead of manually formatting notes, he used ChatGPT to create bullet-point summaries. He also used AI transcription software for interviews. These shortcuts saved him from tedious administrative work, freeing up time for actual research and writing.

While Joshua Nelken-Zitser acknowledged that he had advantages—such as not having children and having a supportive husband who took on extra household chores—he maintained that his intentional time management was the driving force behind his success.

He learned that it is possible to live out a lifelong dream without sacrificing sleep, provided one uses waking hours wisely. His book, "Trauma Bonds," is scheduled to be published in January 2027.