How I use the “2 day” rule to 10x my writing

Uh. Hey. So, weird thing.

Yesterday while I was writing, I stepped away from my computer to make a cup of coffee and … well, let's just say I saw exactly what “Nega-David” wrote to you.

But by the time I got to him he was crawling out of my window to fly back to his villainous lair ... and the email had already been sent.

Let’s just say that's the LAST time that will ever happen.

Ever!

In a million, trillion years!

In fact, I’m planning to upgrade security around the office so tricksters like him can’t break in.

But in the meantime, let’s get back to our regularly scheduled programming.

3 … 2 … action ✨

Today, I want to tell you a story about an incredibly lazy AP English teacher I had many, many years ago ... and the amazing writing hack he taught me.

I call it the “2-day” rule.

One afternoon during his class, this teacher was getting (understandably) frustrated with students turning in shoddy, half-assed work.

So he got real with us, and told us something I never thought I’d hear a teacher say.

(This is 100% verbatim btw).

“Look,” he stammered. “I know you guys are gonna procrastinate. Especially you, David, because you’re definitely the smartest kid in the class and in all the history of AP English.”

The entire class was winter-night silent, staring at me.

“But please do me a favor. Do NOT write your papers the day before. Write them 2 days before. Write on day 1, and then edit on day 2. Then turn it in. You’ll probably be able to get at least one letter grade higher than if you had taken just one day.”

I was a senior in high school … and he was telling me I could write less and score higher grades? Of course I took his advice.

Thing is, I sort of didn’t stop taking his advice.

Even with this daily newsletter (which I write and publish every single day) I almost always take at least a small break between writing and publishing, editing just before I hit send. 

The key for me is to make sure I write first, then take a cognitive break from that writing before I edit.

Usually a few hours is good but I like a day break for bigger or more financially impactful projects.

Similar to my “dissociated” copywriting technique, the 2-day rule helps you free your mind of any writing problems you have at that time.

When you come back to the work, you can more easily identify flaws, fix structure issues, and can even make new connections between ideas that you couldn't see before.

Try it.

But take 2 days.

And also sign up for my daily emails.

David Patrick