For working professionals, especially someone working in mid-level management or technical roles, getting dedicated time for essay writing is a rarity. But if you squeeze into the daily schedule, there are chunks of free time that you can turn into productive time for essay writing.
Commute
If you are driving, writing is not a feasible option, but if you have a recording app in your phone, dictate your thoughts. Instead of randomly recording thoughts on several essays, keep a schedule. Start with the goals essays.
Driving – staring at the road, and passively observing people on the road has a therapeutic effect on your thoughts, and offers clarity on what you need. Don’t switch on the radio - let silence fill the void. Switch on the recording device, and start to talk.
What do you plan to achieve in the next 3 to 5 years?
How can an MBA help you reach your goals?
While coming back repeat the same with another essay – strength or weakness. By focusing on two essays in a single day, you will not be tied down by the monotony of the task. Ending your day gives a much better perspective on your strengths and weaknesses as you would have succeeded in meeting the daily schedule, missed it or exceeded your expectations.
For a bad day, record your weaknesses. Ask the following question:
Why are you unhappy with your current position – professionally and personally?
For a productive day, ask yourself the following questions:
How can I contribute for the MBA class?
What are my strengths?
How will MBA help me with my goals?
Lunch Break
Unless you are closing in on a crucial deadline, most organization will provide a 1-hour break for lunch. Finish you lunch in 20 minutes. Convert the other 40 minutes for productive writing. Don’t worry about writing the perfect essay. This is your chance to jot down thoughts about each essay. If you face a roadblock, do not stop writing. Switch essay questions if it gives you the flow. Force yourself to sit in front of the laptop. If you feel pen and paper inspires you, move towards a quiet corner of the office, meeting room, or your car, and start writing.
To make the random writing exercise more productive, have writing targets:
a) List your 5 strengths and weaknesses
b) Write 300 words in 40 minutes about your weakness (1 or more)
With thoughts already recorded in the morning, you can easily convert the thoughts into an outline.
Evening or Early Morning
Depending on your energy level, and whether you are a morning or evening person, devote 1 hour for writing, every day. If you don’t have the energy to write in the evening, record your answers just before sleep – a 10-minute recording would be enough. If you have a routine for daily exercise either in Gym or with morning walks, carry your recorder. Again, length is not important. Even a 2-3 minute recording about one topic can translate to 100-150 words in essays.
Next Step
We have written a comprehensive MBA Application Essay Guide - "Winning MBA Essay Guide" that covers Essay writing tips for top MBA programs. Download it here.
About the Author
I am Atul Jose, Founding Consultant of F1GMAT, an MBA admissions consultancy that has worked with applicants since 2009.
For the past 15 years I have edited the application files of admits to the M7 programs: Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, the Wharton School, MIT Sloan, Chicago Booth, Kellogg School of Management, and Columbia Business School, together with admits to Berkeley Haas, Yale School of Management, NYU Stern, Michigan Ross, Duke Fuqua, Darden, Tuck, IMD, London Business School, INSEAD, SDA Bocconi, IESE Business School, HEC Paris, McCombs, and Tepper, plus other programs inside the global top 30.
My work covers the full MBA application deliverable: career planning and profile evaluation, application essay editing, recommendation letter editing, mock interviews and interview preparation, scholarship and fellowship essay editing, and cover letter editing for funding applications. Full bio with credentials and admit history is here.
I am the author of the Winning MBA Essay Guide, the best-selling essay guide covering M7 MBA programs. I have written and updated the guide annually since 2013, which makes the 2026 edition the thirteenth.
The reason I still write and edit essays every cycle: a good MBA essay carries a real applicant's voice. Writing essays for F1GMAT's Books and Editing essays weekly is how I stay calibrated to what current admissions committees respond to.
Contact me for school selection, career planning, essay strategy, narrative development, essay editing, interview preparation, scholarship essay editing, or guidance documents for recommendation letters.