Every good writer knows that good writing ultimately comes from the having the right state of mind, to think and communicate freely. In our current times however, freedom can feel quite different than it used to.
Photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash
If you have felt like it’s been hard to get any kind of work done right now, you’re not alone.
Our current health crisis from Covid-19 will come to pass at some point, but right now it has been hard to focus if you ask me. And while I understand there’s a lot to think about right now, we still have work to do and we can still be good writers. We can still do good work. First, we need to breathe in a little grace before we can get going in the right direction.
With respect to our writing careers, we need to keep mental congestion at a minimum to maintain our workflow and let our writing flow like a fluid stream. I understand that charging ahead may feel easier said than done, and that’s okay. If we need to take some time to adapt our writing goals for 2020, then let’s do it with optimism and pride. We will keep writing, working, and getting better. In fact, this may be the perfect time for you to write that book, finish that essay, or write that letter to a loved one.
We’re all writing for one reason or another; some of us may be writing as a creative escape during this time or as an act to make sense of things unable to be fully understood. Maybe writing can help us remember who we really are on the inside, connect us to humanity, and rekindle our spirits. Perhaps writing may be the best tool to bring us closer together through the creative craft that is writing.
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I personally write more from moments of inspiration than I do from a defined writing window, but I find myself writing best from 9:30am-3:30pm, with random bursts of creativity at 3:30am for some reason (don’t ask me why). It might have to do with my daily routines, but we all have our own unique schedule. It’s important for you to dedicate time for you and your writing. In order to help you capitalize on any and all time you may have right now, I have some specific thoughts to share with for ways to clear your head and reclaim your writing prowess.
Whatever time you have to write, this will be a great chance for you to focus more on quality than quantity. Write at your best in 3 hours of dedicated time with mental and emotional clarity rather than “just okay” writing dispersed throughout a standard eight hours while distracted with infinite information beckoning your attention. Guard your writing and your work. When all this is over, you may very well find that you’re a much better writer because of it. There’s a saying out there that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Maybe this is your time to go write.
Protect your time and your attention.
Most writers tell me they have to work early in the morning when no one else in the house is awake yet or late at night when everyone has gone to bed. Aside from living a secret life moonlighting behind the scenes, I think you can really improve your daily writing habits with a few simple pre-writing activities. If you’re someone who struggles with pre-writing, give yourself patience but stay persistent; I almost guarantee you’ll be happy that you did.
Here we go.
Photo by Brad Neathery on Unsplash
Put a limit on your news consumption
There’s little chance for you to begin writing with the news constantly bursting from the TV screen. It’s loud, it’s alarming, and it’s highly distracting. If you want to play music from the television, that’s great, but limit the extra or unnecessary language so your mind can think clearly. Have you ever heard someone say, “turn that down, I can’t even hear myself think!” Exactly, our minds can only handle so much at one time. You can easily improve your writing time by reducing how many messages you receive.
And if you haven’t done so already, make sure your notifications are turned off on your phone to safeguard your sanity. This is your time, your chance to focus and release into your best work. If you need to check in with the news, specify a limit of 15-minutes in the morning and evening to receive the needed updates without letting the news control your whole day. Protect your time and your attention.
The obstacle is the way
Next, I want you to think about all the worries on your mind, caught in the way between you and your writing. What’s on your mind?
- Grandma stuck in the nursing home
- How on earth you’re going to homeschool your kids
- If your employer is going to be flexible with your deadlines
- Are you going to be able to make ______ payment this month?
- How long will this last, will we all be okay?
Check in with yourself about these real thoughts and feelings. Really, write them down! This is what you do best, write? You’ll need to put those thoughts somewhere for a short time to clear your head (more on that later).
The resounding call for facing your challenges, overcoming obstacles and taking the path less traveled is an ancient philosophy, reinforced by Ryan Holiday in his book by the same title of this headline. The obstacle can be complex and confusing, difficult to understand and an honest battle, but addressing our obstacles is the only way forward, less we want to get stuck and struggle to make any progress.
These are real concerns, but most of these extra worries are largely out of your control or a common symptom of not believing in yourself.
This is your time.
Quite frankly, one of the most common critics in our life is ourselves. We live in disbelief that we can stand up to the challenge and rally forward. We dismiss our potential power to perform above the call of duty and prevent ourselves from even trying. Some of us get so caught up in our heads that we can’t make sense of the here and now; I for one am truly guilty of this myself. In a world where we’re constantly surrounded by challenge coupled with the enticing path of least resistance, it can feel easier to give up than get up. I want you to know that I believe in your writing, possibly more than you believe in your own. Remember why you started writing, where your joy comes from in the writing process. In all reality, your story and passion for writing may look a lot like others who choose to write, and you can too.
Write now.
A special note for parents and families
I understand if you feel like you have no time write anymore, because you’re wearing many more hats than you used to. Chances are, you’re a better parent and teacher than what you think actually. When it comes to your child’s future, they will be just fine growing into the beautiful geniuses we know them to be; their education and career trajectory won’t change much. This is a strange time for all of us, just be there to support them through their own work as best you can. They are learning just as much as we are about remote work, the use of technology, and human connection. Try not to sweat the small stuff, you are teaching every day as a parent, role-model, and mentor. Placing on the new hat as “teacher” may not be as big of a deal as you might think. You’ll do great!
Next, be honest with yourself about just how much time you have in your new schedule to write. If you have a few minutes here or a half hour there, it all adds up. If you’re one who blocks out larger timeslots, then make sure you schedule it in your day and hold yourself accountable. Communicate this clearly with your family so they can support you in your writing work. Let your family be honest with one another about what each person needs for their unique creative support, to succeed in their own personal endeavors. The next lesson will help you focus during whatever time you have to give.
Photo by Bookblock on Unsplash
Okay, so you’ve got your list of thoughts, worries (and possibly frustrations). Great! Now, underline each point while taking mental note of the concern. Acknowledge it fully and take a deep breath. Those worries in your mind only last as long as the line you’ve drawn underneath. Close the door on that topic and move to the next; rinse and repeat. When you’re finished with cleaning out your mental closet, you’ll be freed from stress and worry. Now, you’re prepared to be your best without anything inside that head of yours holding you back.
You have prioritized your mindset, you’ve reduced and caged up your distractions. You can feel confident with time-blocking your responsibilities. No phone beeps, no racing thoughts whirling beyond your frontal lobe. No, this is your time, your time to focus, your time to shine. Go write.
We live in a crazy world right now. Let’s take this time to live our best lives, perform our best work, and make the most marvelous memories.
Through all of life’s ups and downs, we Zig and we Zag our way to health and happiness.
If you want to share your habits for success or how your own writing has been shaped in this time, feel free to share here on Medium, on Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Also, feel free to share this message with your interested friends and family. Thank you for reading!
