How often do you sit down intending to write ... only to end up replying to emails, seeing what's new on Twitter, or reading that funny article on Buzzfeed that your friend linked to on Facebook?
Or, if you're a slightly less techy-minded procrastinator, how often do you find yourself tidying your desk, making a fresh cup of coffee, or fastening all your paperclips together into a long
chain?
If a few minutes' warm-up works for you, great! But if you find yourself distracted, with your writing time ticking away, then make some conscious changes.
Here are three ways to get your writing session off to a great start:
#1: Open Up Your Document Straight Away
Whether you write in Word, Scrivener, WordPress, Evernote ... get it ready the moment you sit down at
your desk. It sounds silly, but sometimes the simple act of opening the document is enough to get you moving with your writing.
(If you write by hand, just use this with your notebook or pad of paper instead.)
#2: Take a Moment to Clear Your Head
With two little ones at home, my brain often feels pretty frazzled by the time I get to sit down at my desk. The first thing I do is sit quietly for 3
minutes, trying to concentrate on my breathing.
Could you do the same? If 3 minutes is too long (maybe you have very short writing sessions), then even just sitting and taking ten slow breaths could be enough to help you feel calmer and more focused.
#3: Set a Timer for 15 Minutes
Set a timer going for 15 minutes, and promise yourself you'll do nothing but write till the time is up. For most people,
even newer writers, 15 minutes is an achievable goal. (If you're really struggling, try 5 or 10.)
Once you're 15 minutes in, though, chances are you've made some progress and you're starting to get into flow – making it much easier to keep going.
These are all little, simple things: opening the document, taking a minute or two to clear your head, and setting a timer won't take you long at all. But they could
make a huge difference to how the next half-hour or hour of writing goes for you.
Commit to just one of these habits this week, then add in one more each week ... and feel free to drop me an email any time to let me know how you're getting on.