Show Notes 

Episode #43: How to Avoid Distraction and Manage Attention to Write

In this episode, I take both a macro and micro view of attention, focus, and distraction.

At the macro level, I suggest that formulating a general plan of where you’d like to go as a writer will make it easier to focus your attention on how a given activity fits into the big picture (and you can more easily resist Shiny Object Syndrome).

At the micro level, we can focus our attention by minimizing everyday, moment-by-moment distractions. Clear your desk. Try the Pomodoro technique. When you launch your writing session, silence phone notifications, close the browser. You can even try using the "focus" view in Word to minimize visual distractions on the screen.

In addition, we can learn to become "meta-aware," noticing when our mind is wandering. When we increase meta-awareness, we can learn to nudge our mind back to the task at hand by telling ourselves, “Okay, I’m writing now. So, quiet. I’m trying to concentrate.

Listen for the full podcast.

Lots of Resources:

#42: Manage Your Energy So You Can Write

#41: 5 Steps to Find Time for Writing

#40: Take Charge of Your Writing Space, Tasks, and Projects

#39: Manage Your Writing Space to Be a More Productive Writer

#38: Manage Your Writing Space, Time, Energy, and Attention

Novelty and the Brain: Why New Things Make Us Feel So Good

Concentrate! How to Tame a Wandering Mind

Write in the Middle: Yes, You Can Maximize Distraction-Free Writing

Write in the Middle of Everyday Distractions: 7 Strategies for Getting Back on Track

Productivity 101: A Primer to the Pomodoro Technique

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Image by Ann Kroeker.