Tips for Building a Writing Routine | Gretchen Rubin
Select time and frequency. Decide what time of day you will write, and how often. · Consider your space. · Articulate your why. · Choose a metric.
Obligers
If you need accountability, get it. Join a writers’ group or class where you’re expected to hand in work; work with a writing coach; post a schedule where your family members will see it; recruit a friend to read your drafts. ( <anchor>Obligers</anchor>, you know you need it! Do not skip this step!) One writer told her son, “You have your homework, and I have my homework—which is working on my novel. When you’re working on your homework, I’ll work on my homework. If I’m not doing my homework, you don’t have to do yours.” Her son watched her every day, hoping to get a day off.
Ron Lieber: Obliger | Gretchen Rubin
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![Portrait of Ron Lieber](https://gretchenrubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Ron_Lieber_round-300x300.png)

Ron Lieber:

Obliger

Ron Lieber is the _Your Money_ columnist for the New York Times and author of [_The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money_](https://ronlieber.com/books/the-opposite-of-spoiled/), which was an instant hit on both the _New York Times_ and _Wall Street Journa_ l best seller lists.

## Interview: A Conversation with Ron Lieber

In this video interview, he talks with Gretchen Rubin about her Four Tendencies personality framework and how he has harnessed his own Obliger Tendency.

> I thought there was great honor in doing journalism that was in direct service to people.
>
> Ron Lieber

## About Obligers

For Obligers, outer accountability is essential to achieving their aims. For more information about the Obliger Tendency and the Four Tendencies personality framework:

![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)

Episode 329

Explore the Five Senses of Summer, a Hack for Boosting Focus, and a Deep-Dive into Solutions for Obliger-Rebellion

How Obliger-Rebellion can affect family relationships

[Read](/articles/can-the-four-tendencies-framework-help-explain-patterns-of-family-estrangement/)

Tips and tricks for getting more done (especially, if you’re an Obliger)

[Read](/articles/how-to-set-up-accountability-as-an-obliger/)

## More About the Four Tendencies

The Four Tendencies is a personality framework developed by Gretchen Rubin that reveals how we respond to inner and outer expectations. Learn more about yourself and others with our collection of resources.

![Gretchen holding The Four Tendencies book](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)

## Explore the Collection

Watch interviews with every Tendency and learn more about the Four Tendencies framework.

[Watch more](/fourtendencies/)

![The Four Tendencies circle](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)

## Find Out Your Tendency

Find out whether you’re an Obliger, Questioner, Upholder, or Rebel.​

[Take the quiz](https://quiz.gretchenrubin.com/)

_Explore the_

[Upholder Tendency](/fourtendencies-upholder/)

_Explore the_

[Questioner Tendency](/fourtendencies-questioner/)

_Explore the_

[Rebel Tendency](/fourtendencies-rebel/)

[Back to the Four Tendencies hub](/fourtendencies/)

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