With the new year rung in and writing resolutions made, many are sitting down at their desks ready to pen a new bestseller. But unfortunately, many of the same people have realized the constant distractions of YouTube, email and iPhones can make it very difficult to focus. Writing shouldn’t have to be a constant struggle with our willpower, so here are some very easy tips for writing distraction-free that don’t require any form of self-control:
Remove the distractions. Or better yet, remove yourself. For the same reason we hide the chocolates after Christmas, we can separate ourselves from distractions to trick our brain into thinking writing is the only option. Disconnect your internet, or put your phone in a different room. If that doesn’t work, go to a wifi-free café and leave the phone at home.
Create a routine. Your brain is comfortable with routines, so when you create one for your writing, it’ll be less likely to squirm. Try setting a time for your writing, and begin the session by brewing a mug of tea, lighting a candle, or putting on some classical music. Figure out what puts your brain into the writing mindset, and, most importantly, stick to it!
Work with deadlines. Nothing shuts your brain up more than an impending deadline. Writing something without a deadline can feel like the figurative thousand-mile journey, especially if it’s a large project, so make a due-date–even if the deadline’s imaginary, you can hold yourself to it by telling a friend or a colleague. So write down “single step” in your calendar for today, or if you’re feeling up to it, “single step x2”.
These tips are simple, but can be very effective under the condition that they’re acted on, so give one a try next time you’re writing an article or a report, and see what works for you. If you have any other great tips, let us know!
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