If you’re like most writers, you can’t afford to write full time. Therefore, you have to juggle work, family, and writing. And many times, your writing comes last. This can cause frustration and resentful feelings. One way to avoid distractions is to make sure you don’t get interrupted by other things when you sit down to write.

Here are a few tips to deal with distractions most effectively.
 
1.Focus. Kristi Holl, in Writer’s First Aid, says, “When you focus, you’ll accomplish writing projects in half the time, and your concentrated efforts will product better work. Focusing also builds momentum and enthusiasm, urging you to move steadily toward finishing your stories, articles, and books.”

Your ability to focus will make the difference between constantly being side-tracked to doing other things, and actually focusing. As Stephen Covey says in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
 
2. Isolate yourself. You may get distracted by outside noise or traffic. If this is the case, pull the blinds and close the window. This may stop you from looking outside when a loud vehicle such as a bus, truck, or motor cycle or if people walk by.
 
3. Don’t open mail. Do you often start writing for a few minutes and then feel compelled to open the mail? Reading your mail can interrupt creativity and flow. Further, your mail may have rejection letters, bills, and bank statements, which can cause instant worries and bad feelings. This can take you away from your writing goals.
 
4. Change your schedule. Do you usually write when you’re not refreshed or when too many other things are going on around you, such as after dinner when the kids are at home and your hubby is trying to get your attention? If that’s the case, choose a better time to write. You may want to get up earlier in the morning, or stay up later at night after everyone is in bed and write then. You’ll likely be more successful.
 
By following these tips, you can avoid distractions when writing. You owe it to yourself to master the art of carving out the time and space to write, even when life gets in the way. Only then will you be a productive, successful, and happy writer.
 
This adapted version of the serenity prayers says it best. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the distractions I cannot change, courage to change the distractions I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
 
For more tips on how to deal with interruptions and noise, please click here!