The New Year is a good time to think about your writing habits and make adjustments that can help you reach your goals. In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Colleen Story offers her advice on shutting down distractions so you can focus on your work.
“This year, you don’t have to settle for less than what you want because of distractions,” Story says. Her advice includes:
- Create a workspace that inspires you to focus. Set aside space where you can’t see the television and put your phone in another room. If you have room, decorate with photos, art, or objects that inspire your writing.
- Create a helpful reading list. “In a 2016 study, researchers found that what students read in college directly affected the level of writing they achieved—even more than writing instruction and frequency,” Story notes. She suggests reading books in your genre to inspire your writing, as well as books about the craft of writing and building your brand. “The goal is to feed your mind writing-related, inspiring information every day,” Story explains.
- Surround yourself with like-minded people. “After you spend time with your friends and family, do you feel more or less inspired to go after your writing goals?” Story asks. Even the people we love can foster distraction if they aren’t invested in your goals. You don’t have to drop your friends, but you can seek out writing groups or coaches.
- Create a fostering environment. This means more than your working space; it’s a mindset. Story recommends setting up your creative tools in advance of your scheduled writing time. If you write in the morning, clear off your desk the night before. Set the coffee maker to start ten minutes before you get up. Do whatever you need to make sure you hit the ground running.
