10 Steps To Focus When Writing

I take my phone and put it on a charger in the other room. Do not disturb mode is on. I won't pick it up until my writing tasks are done.

I use Freedom.to to block social media sites. They are the ones I tend to mindlessly type in and scroll on, so having them gone eliminates most digital distractions.

I like the website Brain.FM for this. It has soothing and invigorating instrumental music that makes focusing on my work easier.

A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind. Your environment affects your creativity and work ethic. Keeping it clean is step one of being productive.

Work expands or contracts to fit the amount of time allotted for it. So limit your tasks to a reasonable window of time. Without a timer, you'll move slower and get distracted more easily. I use a cube timer, so it only takes one motion to set a new timer.

On my left there's a scented candle that smells of cinnamon. I never light it. I just take a whiff every so often. This candle is one I only smell when I'm writing, so that smell helps put me in a productive state. This can be done with music or food, too.

This is the toughest one of the bunch. Honestly, I'm writing this list as a way to procrastinate on (and prepare for) some writing tasks. Now I am well-prepared, but it still takes an act of will to take the leap and get started.

I'm going to end the list here so I can get to work!