Page 19 - Dare to Make an Impact

5. Stick to the Schedule.
We all hit writer’s block and lose motivation
at some point, but it is vital to keep pushing through these walls. Even if you throw out half of what you write later, you are still making progress because writing always involves trial and error. Figure out what motivates you, remind yourself of your goals, and push through the wall.
6. Create an Inviting Workspace.
If your desk is cluttered with other projects and to-do lists, it will distract you every time you look away from the computer. When your writing time comes, remove everything distracting or unnecessary from your desk and turn off your phone and email alerts so that
your mind and eyes don’t wander.
7. Experiment with Routine.
If it feels daunting to embark on a new long-term writing schedule, try a week-long experiment and adjust from there. Write a little bit every day, Monday through Friday, then step back and readjust. Do you work better in short bursts every day, or do you need long blocks of time? Are you more focused with a cup of coffee and a colleague by your side, or do you need complete silence and solitude? Try out a few writing environments to determine what best prompts your productivity.
Although you may have been writing your whole life as a student and scholar, writing requires
a whole new level of discipline when it is not assigned as homework. Don’t be discouraged
if it takes you some time to learn the ropes
of your own writing regimen; each scholar is different and with a little experimentation and a lot of discipline, you’ll be churning out your best writing in no time.
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