Perhaps the biggest hurdle for writers while writing is distraction come in various forms and no matter where you are located, you are going to get distracted one way or the other. If you are working from home, then it is going to get worse. However, you should not be panicking about it. There are some important tried and tested tips that will help you concentrate on writing even if there is no way to get rid of distractions. Let’s begin.
Do Your Research
Research is the most important factor when it comes to avoiding distractions while writing. It allows you to prepare the material and content beforehand. With everything fully prepared, your attention and concentration span will increase.
Otherwise, if you are researching while being distracted, it will take a comparatively more amount of time and effort to research something that usually takes 5-10 minutes. On the other hand, researching while writing only leads to flipping. Therefore, as soon as you flip, the concentration rhythm is broken. Now you have to start all over again.
In addition to that, while you are flipping back and forth, you will always find something new that catches your attention. Therefore, you must do your research before you start to write.
Turn Off the Internet
The internet is a devil when it comes to distracting you from the main task at hand. You must have come across many writers who prefer switching between Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook while writing. However, if you are done with your research, you should turn off the internet. At this point, it is only going to distract you.
Turning off the internet does not mean that you completely shut it off but instead close the browser or anything related to the internet. Once you are done writing, you can use the internet for online tools such as plagiarism checkers and others.
Put Away the Cellphone and Turn off The Television
While writing, you should put away your cellphone and only attend to important calls or messages. If you are continuously using the phone, you will not get the job done on time. In addition to that, put your phone on silent mode. This way you are not going to be distracted by unimportant notifications.
On the other hand, if you have a television in your room, make sure to turn it off before writing. Some people prefer to keep the volume low as they write, which helps them concentrate but it might not help in your case. As soon as some important news comes up, your concentration goes out of the window.
Use a Writer room
If you earn a living by writing, you should definitely create a separate space for writing. You can call it the writer room. This is where you can work without any distractions and focus on writing while having the required material within your reach. And since a writer room does not have television or anything else that might distract you during the process, you will enjoy the writing process.
Shut Down Everything Else
Apart from turning off the television and putting your cell phone away, you should shut down everything else as well that might become a distraction later on. Sometimes, even a minor factor such as a very bright light can trigger distraction. Anything in your room that moves, speaks, or creates notification sounds should be moved to another location.
And since you are going to be focused for some time, you should inform your family members not to disturb you during the process. If you have any children in the house, ask your partner to keep them away from the room and prevent shouting.
Clear Your Desk
Believe it or not, a cluttered desk plays a huge role in distracting you while writing. With papers spread throughout the table, you will always come across something that will shift your attention. Without even realizing it, you will start focusing on that particular subject instead of returning to writing. Therefore, make sure that your desk is clear of anything that might distract you, and just keep a pen and water to hydrate yourself.
In addition to that, do not attempt to sort through the papers on the table. Simply collect them and put them inside a drawer to review later.
Use Earbuds
If you live in a small apartment or house where distractions cannot be avoided, you should use earbuds. These things will keep unnecessary sounds and noise away from your ears, allowing you to focus. If you do not have earbuds, you can use earphones that come with your mobile phone. If even that is not possible, simply use wet cotton buds. Damp small pieces of cotton and position them inside your ears.
Develop a Routine
If you are not able to focus on the first day, you should not give up. Every day is not the same and you should develop a routine to program yourself to focus and concentrate irrespective of the distractions. If you drop the idea of writing by assuming that distractions will occur during the day, you will not be able to concentrate in the future. Once you develop the habit of writing and following a routine, you will notice your concentration skills improving with time.
Final Word
Writing is a tough job when it comes to brainstorming ideas and content. On top of that distractions can easily make you forget the initial writing plan. This is why you need to consider the above-mentioned tips to develop better focus and concentration. Make sure that you follow a routine to help prepare your mind and body before allowing the words to flow honestly.