Episode 012 – Recharging Focus for Writers

In this week’s episode, we get stuck into how to gain energy from getting “in the zone”. If you’re high in Focus in the CliftonStrengths, or if you recognise yourself in this discussion, then I hope you’ll get helpful tips on gaining energy from your ability to focus.

If you’d like to join my Discord server, mentioned in this episode, and benefit from weekly accountability, then you can get access via my Patreon.

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Listen now wherever you stream podcasts.

Transcript

Hello Navigators. Welcome to Writer Roadmap, the podcast for writers seeking inspiration, guidance, and support on their creative journey. I’m your host, Holly Lyne, and in today’s episode, we’ll be discussing how you can recharge and gain energy if you’re someone who’s high on focus. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with CliftonStrengths, if you recognise yourself in this description, then chances are, today’s tips will benefit you.

When it comes to focus, we’re referring to individuals who are driven and goal-oriented. They can sustain concentration over long periods and work meticulously towards their objectives. If you frequently ask yourself what you’re aiming towards, are efficient and like to prioritise a single task and thrive with a deadline, then that’s what focus looks like.

But even the most focused among us can run out of energy and need strategies to recharge. The good news is that if you are a highly focused person, then the act of focusing itself can restore your energy levels.

First, let’s talk about breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and this adage holds true for writing projects too. If you’re working on a novel or a series, it can feel daunting to even know where to start. To overcome this, try breaking down the project into smaller tasks. Maybe today you work on outlining your main ideas, tomorrow you could focus on character or concept development, and so on. Even viewing the book as individual chapters is helpful. Celebrate your progress along the way because each small victory brings you closer to your ultimate goal. Having a clear objective and manageable stepping stones towards it can boost your energy levels and keep up your momentum.

Check-in with your progress regularly and ask yourself if anything has changed. Highly focused people can find it difficult to adapt to changes and sometimes our goals need to change to accommodate changes in circumstances. When we’re slavishly striving towards the wrong goal, that can drain our batteries. But checking in with our situation at regular intervals can enable us to pivot more easily and restore the balance of energy.

Next, let’s discuss using tools and techniques to help you stay organized and focused. You might find that a to-do list or a calendar works best for you. Alternatively, you could try time-blocking – a method of scheduling where you assign specific time slots for different tasks or activities. This can help to clear mental clutter and increase your focus on one task at a time. Experiment with different methods and tools until you find what works best for you.

Ask yourself what in your environment is breaking your focus. We can get overwhelmed when we try to take on too much, or when we can’t really focus properly. So check around you to see if there is anything stealing your focus. Try to fix those things. For instance, de-cluttering your workspace, getting time alone for the blinders to come down, finding an alternative location to write or even closing the door and placing a “do not disturb” sign on it!

Setting boundaries is another effective way to maintain your energy and focus. This might mean setting aside specific times for work and sticking to them, regardless of distractions. If your energy peaks in the morning, block off that time for your most critical tasks. Learning to say no to demands that interfere with your focus times is just as important. Remember, it’s not about being rude; it’s about respecting your personal boundaries and productivity. If there are people or environments that are chaotic, try to distance yourself from them. This will help you to manage your energy levels and get the full benefit of your ability to focus.

Lastly, surround yourself with others who share your goals and work ethic. Joining a professional organization, a writing group, or attending networking events can connect you with others who are equally focused and goal-oriented. This network can provide support, constructive feedback, and hold you accountable to your goals. Sometimes, just knowing others are working hard towards similar objectives can boost your motivation.

I have a Discord server where we do weekly accountability and everyone who posts in there knows that they have an audience looking at what their goals are. That can be extremely motivating and help to maintain focus.

Remember, staying focused and energized is not about pushing yourself to the brink of exhaustion. It’s about implementing strategies that make your journey enjoyable and sustainable. So, try these tips and see how they work for you.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Does having a clear goal and the thrill of being “in the zone” energise you? Let me know in the Q&A on Spotify, on the show notes for this episode at writerroadmap.com, or on this episode’s post on Instagram. Just follow me @writerroadmap for more productivity and goal-setting tips.

Thank you for listening and happy planning.

Writer Roadmap intro and outro music used under license from Pixabay. Music track “Salangseuleoun” was Created by “Dayfox”.