Can you shift easily into writing mode when you sit down at your computer? Or do you find it difficult to concentrate—to produce the quality and volume of work that you desire? Perhaps you need to change your mindset. Maybe there’s something wrong with the atmosphere in your writing room.
We each need certain conditions present in order to create. While some writers thrive and excel in a busy, noisy space, others can write only where it’s quiet and calm. Some writers can shut out the world and concentrate on their work practically anywhere and others are easily distracted by thoughts, worries and their surroundings.
If you’re not producing the writing work that you desire, if you find it difficult to sit down and write, examine your writing requirements. What is distracting you? What do you need in your life or your space in order to create? What excuses are you currently using for not writing? Here are 3 common scenarios—which one describes you?
#1: You want to write—you really, really do—but you just can’t seem to find the time.
Individuals in this category have decided to add writing to their life rather than making writing their life. Writing takes thought, concentration and time. Rather than finding the time, you must make the time. Instead of waiting for the mood to strike, you need to create the appropriate mindset. If writing is important to you—if you want to finally write that book or establish a freelance writing career, no matter your current daily routine, you’re going to have to rearrange your life.
#2: You have the space to write and the time, but you can’t settle down and actually write something.
You’re distracted. Remove or learn to work around those things that keep you from writing. Write after the children go to bed at night. Hire a reliable teen to take the kids to the park for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Look at email only once or twice per day. Learn to ignore the dishes in the sink and the laundry. Turn off the phone. Train friends and relatives to respect your writing hours. If you can’t turn off your mind—you keep thinking about what’s for supper, whether to buy new patio furniture, the leaky kitchen faucet and getting the carpet cleaned—learn to relax. Do a relaxation technique before entering your writing room. Meditate, do yoga or sit quietly for a few minutes in prayer. Do your best to eliminate all of your worries. You might even consider a ritual such as purposefully hanging your worries and burdens on a hook outside your writing room door as you enter. You might be surprised how much more productive you’ll be simply by changing your mindset.
#3: Your writing space isn’t conducive to creativity.
If you are still using the family computer which is set up in the busiest spot in the house, stop it! Get your own computer and set it up in a quiet room. Some writers even create a cubical in their garages so they have more privacy. Bring into your office space everything you need for the type of writing you do, so that you don’t have to sprint to other parts of the house to conduct research or find a file folder. Decorate your space in a style that suits your needs and comfort level. Some of us enjoy calming shades, lovely scents and our favorite art. Others strive for simplicity. Most of us like having reminders that we are loved—pictures of our families, pets and friends enjoying good times. And don’t forget to display your feel-good stuff—awards you’ve won, letters of recognition, etc.
If you’re not doing the writing you want to do, look around you. What is it about your writing space that’s distracting you? Are you mentally blocked? What can you change to help you to be more disciplined—more creative? If you truly want to write and you’re not writing, maybe it’s time to figure out why and do something about it.