I’m continuing my talk about time management and today I want to talk about focus. I mentioned before that I wear several hats. I’m a mom, wife, daughter, columnist, radio personality, author, student and friend, along with a myriad of other things I do. I may be interviewing a celebrity in the morning, then running off to preview a film, then coming back to write pages or do homework until the wee hours of the morning. It’s very seldom that my days aren’t 14 hours long, or longer. But it’s okay because I love what I do.
People really do ask me all the time how do what I do, and the truth is focus. Some days I’m better at it than others. It’s something I had to teach myself when I started working at home. I have daily deadlines and that helps. The thing that is due always gets first priority. That means I mix it up. If I have a column due, then all my focus goes into that until the job is complete. If I have a book due the same goes. I may set aside specific hours in the day to make sure I accomplish my goals.
I have a hard time remembering things so, as I mentioned before, I keep calendars and I’m very fond of sticky notes. If I have a lot to do in a day, I make a sticky note listing the items in terms of priority, and then it goes on the computer. I love scratching things off the list, and even better completing that one and throwing it away. Knowing what I have coming up helps me to see what needs the most focus.
But I have to leave room for the unexpected. For example: Yesterday I’d promised myself, and my agent, that I would finish the rough draft of a synopsis I’ve been working on. It took longer than I expected, but I did it. Then something wonderful happened. I was so into that book, that I wanted to work on it. I wrote another 15 pages before all was said and done. I have to make my days as flexible as possible so that I can do things like that, and at the same time accomplish everything I need to.
So how do I focus? It varies depending on the project. I’m as guilty as anyone else when it comes to Twitter, Facebook and checking emails. With all my different accounts I can get upwards of a 1000 emails from fans, listeners, publicists, networks and a variety of other folks in a day. I have to keep up or it becomes overwhelming. So I set aside an hour early in the morning, another one later afternoon when my brain is usually tired, and then again before bed to take care of those things. Keeping up with emails is one of those necessary evils for me, but I try not to let it disrupt my day.
I’ve learned to shift from one project to the next using small rituals. If I’ve been working on columns, and I’m shifting to fiction I have small things that I do. I usually refill the water bottle, light a candle and put my headphones on. I have soundtracks for each book. I even have editing soundtracks. For some reason, even if the house is quiet, the music helps me to focus. If I’m working on a book, I always leave myself notes from the day before. They are brief, but can take me right back into the story without re-reading pages. That keeps me moving forward, because when I re-read I have tendency to start editing.
When I’m writing non-fiction there are no soundtracks, usually because I’m listening to an interview I’ve done and adding quotes to a story. But I have my little rituals here too. I make sure that all my notes are together, that I have any research I might need within easy reach.
Distractions can come at you from places you never expected. I used to keep the TV on in my office with no sound, but I no longer do that. I found I was much more productive with out, so I gave the TV to my niece. If I’m writing on the lap top in the living room, I do have the TV on with no sound, but for some reason in there it isn’t much of a distraction. No matter what I’m doing, I make sure my dogs have been outside, have some kind of bone to chew and that I’ve worn them out so they won’t bug me to play. They’re cute, and it’s very hard when they bring me a stuffed shark to throw, not to do it. My dogs are probably my biggest distraction, but I love having them in my office. Still, I have to make sure that everyone is happy before I begin writing.
I’m able to shift easily in and out of things, but as I mentioned, it’s something I’ve had to teach myself. If an interview is running late and I have an extra 20 minutes to write, I do it until the phone rings. You’d be amazed what you can do in 20 minutes if you are focused. I keep a notebook in my purse for the same reasons. If I’m waiting for a movie to start, I can jot down notes. I’ve taught myself to take advantage of those “free minutes” and to use them as much as possible.
You need to be aware of the things that pull you out of your project and get rid of them. Create small rituals for yourself that define the day for you. I even have different scented candles depending on what I need to do. I know that sounds crazy, but it works for me. For some reason Joss Stone’s Body & Soul album helps to me to focus if I’m scattered. I’ve listened to that CD 100os of times on my iPod. It never gets old. You need to find what works for you. Be aware of your shortcomings and rid yourself of those distractions. It takes a little planning and practice, but you can do it.
So I’d like to hear from you. What are some of your distractions and how do you get around them?
