Dear Adina,
First off I would like to say great blog! I had a quick question that I’d like to ask if you
do not mind. I was curious to find out how you center yourself and clear your thoughts prior to writing.
I have had a hard time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out. I truly do take pleasure in writing
however it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are generally lost simply just trying
to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Kudos!
Thanks so much for your question!
It is so funny because I also have this problem. But it is not really a problem! It takes me a good half hour to an hour to get settled in my writing. I check my emails, Facebook, my calendar, put on music, turn off music etc.
So why do I say it is not really a problem? I was once taking a continuing education class and the instructor was a writer. He said he would get so frustrated when he sat down to write because it would take him an hour to get settled and actually write. He finally realized that the procrastination was part of the writing process. That was a big “Aha” moment for me.
As he explained, you often need time to let your mind unwind before you actually can write. So the 10-15 minutes it takes for you to get settled is pretty normal. Actually your lucky it only takes you that much time to get settled. As I mentioned above it usually takes me 30 minutes to an hour.
I have been writing for years, but I will admit that part of that prep time, I am psyching myself up. I often think, “I can’t do this! This topic is to hard! I have nothing to say!” etc. It is a challenge to catch myself and remember to be more positive, “You can do this! You will think of something to write! You enjoy this topic and you can research it!” etc.
I try to carve out 3 hour time slots for writing 3-5 times a week to get all the writing I need to get done, done. I know that at least 30-60 minutes of that, I will not actually be writing. Again that seemingly wasteful hour is deceiving, it seems unnecessary, but is so necessary.
So why is this important for all you non-writers and parents out there? I think every type of creative work that people do requires people to let their the mind wander. Procrastination can actually spur the mind to perform better. A walk, taking my computer outside or to a coffee shop, reading an inspiring book can also help.
How can this apply specifically to us as parents? Sometimes it’s seems as if our kids are procrastinating instead of doing their homework. One mom in my class complained that her child would do cartwheels and play with the dog before she could sit down to work. But again, she probably needs those activities so that she can focus better on her work.
Kids also space out and look like they are doing nothing. Again, their brains are taking a much needed rest so that when it needs to work again it can.
Those are my thoughts!
Let me know what you think!
Comment below!