Welcome back, writers! And just like that, we’re nearing the final week of NaNoWriMo. We hope you’ve had a productive month—and that, no matter your word count, you’re closer to your writing goals than you were three weeks ago. If you need a boost or some fresh tips, check out this month’s series. But right now, let’s tackle one of the biggest hurdles: time. What if the holidays are burying you like an avalanche, and you can’t get in the words?

Here are 5 tricks to hit your NaNoWriMo goal when you’re busy:

1. Sprint time

Ah, the writing sprint—your new best friend. This tried-and-true method is perfect for those I-don’t-have-time-to-breathe-much-less-write days. Set a timer for 20 minutes (or even 5 if that’s all you’ve got) and write like the wind. Don’t stop to edit or second-guess; just get the words out. These mini sprints will help you build momentum, even if you only add a few hundred words each time. Plus, they’re perfect for when you can sneak in a writing session during the kids’ naptime or before your commute. Time might be short, but these sprints add up fast!

2. Downtime

We all have those random pockets of downtime—whether you’re waiting for your coffee to brew, stuck in traffic, or enduring your third straight commercial break for the latest holiday movie. These are gold mines for writing! Grab your phone, jot down a few lines, or record a quick voice memo of your thoughts. Even a 5-minute chunk can turn into a productive session when you’re in the groove. And hey, even if it’s just brainstorming ideas or making notes, every little word counts toward that 50k goal.

3. Overtime

Get up early. Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “But sleep is life!” Trust, I get it. But sometimes, you have to pull a little overtime to get those words in. Consider waking up 30 minutes earlier or staying up just a bit later. The world is quieter in the early hours, and the coffee tastes a little better when you’ve already conquered a couple of paragraphs. Don’t worry, you’re not going to turn into a zombie (well, not permanently)—just one extra writing session in the early morning or late night might give you that extra burst of inspiration you need to catch up.

4. Borrowed Time

Look, we all love scrolling through Instagram and binge-watching the latest season of whatever is trending right now. But if you’re serious about hitting your NaNoWriMo goal, you’ve got to borrow time from other activities. Cut back on TV, social media, or that extra trip to the store for “just one more thing.” You’d be surprised how much time you can free up when you cut back on distractions. I’m not saying cancel your holiday shopping entirely (unless you’re feeling brave), but a little focus could give you a few extra words and fewer headaches.

5. Prioritized Time

Your NaNoWriMo goals deserve the same attention as your work meetings, so get vocal about it! Let your family and friends know when you need uninterrupted writing time. Treat it like a scheduled work appointment—block it off in your calendar and hold yourself accountable. When you show up for your writing like it’s a legit commitment, your loved ones will start respecting it too. And hey, after that focused writing session, you can all relax with a slice of pie (or three). You earned it!

Conclusion

The end of November is always a busy time, but that doesn’t mean reaching your NaNoWriMo goal is impossible. You brush your teeth every day, right? So why not make writing a daily priority, too? Remember, consistency over perfection is the name of the game. Get in the extra words whenever you can, and you’ll be that much closer to completing your novel by December 1st.

Need more tips on how to stay on track when time is tight? Check out our next post in the NaNoWriMo Troubleshooting series here. Keep writing, and don’t let the chaos win!