How I Found 10 Hours of Writing Time Per Week Using One Simple 15-Minute Rule
A simple daily writing system for busy parents and creators who want to build their dream projects without sacrificing family time
Note: Those who might prefer Medium can enjoy this post there as well.
Want to know the stupidly simple rule that freed up 10 hours of writing time this week?
Meanwhile, your book idea sits in your notes app for month 6.
Your newsletter draft folder grows dustier.
You watch other parent-creators somehow ‘finding time’ while you’re stuck in the same soul-crushing loop: dream big, wait for perfect conditions, accomplish nothing, repeat.
Sound familiar?
Most parent-creators think they need perfect 2-hour writing blocks to make real progress. So we wait for the “right moment” - when the kids are asleep, when work calms down, when life gets less chaotic.
Spoiler alert: That moment never comes.
If you’re reading this thinking “but my life is different—I have a toddler AND a demanding job AND…”
I get it.
Here’s what I learned after months of writing zero words while waiting for mythical free time: Consistency beats duration every single time.
I call it the 15-Minute Minimum Rule.
1. Set a 15-minute minimum daily writing commitment Nothing more, nothing less. This isn’t about optimizing—it’s about showing up. Even exhausted parents can find 15 minutes before coffee kicks in.
2. Count transition time as writing time Walking to the car? Voice memo your ideas. Waiting for kids at pickup? Draft on your phone. These “dead” moments add up to real writing sessions.
3. Batch your “setup” time once per week Spend 30 minutes on Sunday outlining the week’s writing projects. When you sit down for those 15 minutes, you’re writing—not staring at a blank page wondering what to create.
4. Track streaks, not word counts I use a simple calendar with red X’s. Missing one day? No guilt. Missing two days in a row? That’s when I course-correct.
Here’s what your brain will tell you: “15 minutes isn’t real work. I should wait until I can do this properly.” That voice has kept you stuck for months.
What if 15 minutes of imperfect action beats 0 minutes of perfect planning every single time?
Here’s the magic: Those 15-minute minimums turn into 30-minute sessions. Then hour-long deep dives when time allows.
But the wins start on day one with just 15 minutes.
That book that could change someone’s life?
It starts with 15 minutes today.
The course that could replace your day job income? Same 15 minutes.
The newsletter that builds your dream audience?
You know what I’m going to say.
Stop waiting for perfect conditions to create. Your ideas deserve 15 minutes of attention today.
The constraint isn’t your enemy, but instead your creative catalyst.
What could you create in your first 15 minutes today?
-Matt