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Distractions, distractions, distractions!

By Wendi Garcia

Next to writer’s block, what comes in second as your most treacherous enemy? Come on, take a guess. No, it’s not that client who has been bugging you for endless revisions on that same article you wrote light years ago.

Your next biggest enemy is no other than distractions.

How many times has it happened to you that just before you are about to start writing, you take a quick peek in your Facebook account and before you know it, hours have already gone as you have clicked on other people’s accounts, checked their photos, and even chatted with some friends?

Once? Twice? Probably many times.

Facebook is just one among a hundred other distractions that you have to battle with in your every day career as a freelance writer. To get rid of this and the other ones that come your way, use these tried and tested techniques.

Websites
The Internet is your friend, but it can also be your enemy. Email, YouTube, eBay, Twitter, Failblog, Multiply, and any other site that you have the compulsion to check every five minutes—these are the biggest distractions ever.

Your favorite phrase: I'm only going to take a second

To get rid of these Internet distractions, you simply need to discipline and control yourself from browsing the web until you are done with your articles. It would also help to turn off email alerts so that while you are writing, your workflow won’t be interrupted and you won’t get tempted to see what’s new in your email or Facebook.

Now if you are the stubborn one, you can block Facebook or any other site that you are addicted to using a free online service or parental Internet control software. One example of the free online service is opendns.com, which allows you to filter incoming traffic on your computer through DNS filters.

Chat
Skype, Yahoo Messenger, MSN, and Meebo are some platforms that you use to communicate with family, friends, and clients. However, chat can also be a distraction if people “buzz” you all day long and you cannot help but get into juicy conversations with your long lost pals.

The best way to deal with this distraction is to have two separate accounts, one for professional purposes (clients, co-writers, colleagues) and the other for non-professional chit-chats (family, friends, classmates). This way, you only have to open one account while you work and the only “buzzes” you get are from clients or co-workers that are urgent and necessary.

People
Your mom going into your room ten times a day to bring you milk, your little brother who keeps on bugging you to use the computer, or your nosy neighbor who is always looking into your window wondering why you’re there all day—people can be great distractions as well.

While you appreciate your family’s interest in what you do, you would certainly be relieved if they can give you space when you are working. Talk to them nicely about it then have some privacy by locking your room or putting up a “don’t disturb” sign on your door. If they love you, they would understand. As for the creepy neighbor, just shut down your curtains.

Some More Quick Tips Before you Go
• Turn off the television.
• Put on some headphones to drown the noise away.
• Put your cell phone in silent mode.
• Listen to soothing music.
• De-clutter your workspace.
• Find a comfortable working area.
• Don’t eat while you work.

Being a freelance writer, you very well know that every second counts because the more articles you produce in a day, the bigger money you earn. But more importantly, getting rid of distractions enables you to produce high quality articles on time that will satisfy clients and keep them coming back for more.

 

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