How many of you struggle writing each day? Some days I have a hard time focusing on whatever my current work is. Other days I can sit right down and start.
Why do I do that? I’m sure I have different distractions on different days.
Distractions are those things that keep us from writing so we must figure out what they are.
1. Social Media
Social media can be a great way to connect with readers of your blog and/books. But it can also be a huge time waster even if you tell yourself that you will check Facebook for 10 minutes as I sometimes tell myself.
If you have more than one social media that you use on a regular basis, then you will waste even more time.
I have a routine in the mornings of checking Facebook. Sometimes I even check Instagram and Twitter, but usually Facebook is the only one.
I tell myself that I will take 10 minutes and see what happened overnight. The next thing I know it’s 30 minutes later.
Throughout the day I find myself getting on there. Of course, with my businesses, it’s hard not to be on there.
I do much of my business online. I post pictures for my businesses and interact with my customers and readers of my books.
2. Kids or pets
Most families have at least a child or pet, which can cause a distraction of some kind. Kids will want you to get them snacks, watch TV, play games, or read.
As a parent, there is nothing at all wrong with that except if you need to be writing instead.
Pets can do similar things. They want outside so they smell every inch of the yard and do their thing or want you to play ball with them. That would be fine except if you need to writing.
I had a desktop publishing business when my kids were younger so I had to find ways to distract them and let me work. As they got older, I didn’t have to worry about them as much as I did my pets, or fur kids as I like to call them.
My two dogs and one cat don’t bother me a whole lot, and sometimes they nap while I write, lying under the table or beside me where I sit.
3. Phone
The phone can be another huge distraction and take time away from your writing. People can call or text you at various times during the day. You may even call or text them as a way to procrastinate.
I know at times when I am trying to put off writing, I will call my mom or text my son or a friend to see how things are going.
Texting can keep you from being too distracted, at the same time. You can use it as a way to keep from getting too distracted from writing. You can text back and forth and keep writing although your focus may not be the greatest.
4. Television
Television can be just as big time waster as social media. People watch Netflix and Hulu and binge watch television shows. People also have other TV shows they watch on a regular basis.
I have a few TV shows that I have to see each week, like Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Hawaii Five-O, or whatever reality show is on at the time, such as The Voice or Big Brother.
I prefer to watch them as they come on rather than have to watch them later. Many times I won’t watch them later is the main reason.
5. No energy
Having other jobs or duties distracts you from writing. If you work an 8-to-5 job, you won’t have much time to write until evenings.
By then you may be tired and not feel like doing much. You may even have other things to do like a child’s activity or errands to run.
I work two part-time jobs outside the home, and after a long 10-hour day if I have worked both jobs, I don’t always feel like doing much.
It doesn’t help that I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but I am trying to find ways to manage.
6. House duties
Everyone lives in a house or apartment or some kind of dwelling. Unfortunately, everyone has house duties, like doing laundry, washing dishing, and cooking meals.
There is a secret to keeping yourself from being distracted by these duties, but I won’t go into that now. House duties can keep you hopping if you let them and keep you from writing.
I tend to let my house go a little longer before I clean it. However, I do keep up with the laundry, meals, and dishes.
I can’t stand to let dirty clothes and dishes go, but I can let the house go for a while.