But procrastination can be a problem on a "micro" level too. How often do you sit down intending to write ... only to end up replying to emails, scrolling through Facebook, or checking your phone?
Even if you're writing with pen and paper rather than on a computer, you might find yourself tidying your desk, gazing out of the window, or sharpening all your pencils.
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, Google Docs, 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
When my children were very young, I often felt pretty frazzled by the time I get to sit down at my desk. The first thing I did during my writing times was to quietly for 3 minutes, trying to concentrate on my breathing. I still find that a helpful practice when I'm struggling to focus.
Could you try 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. This is a great way to get into the habit of telling yourself that you're going to write and actually doing it!
Once you're 15 minutes in, you'll have made some progress and you'll probably feel that you're getting 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.
