Okay, Now Focus

I know, I know. Easier said than done right?

Trust me I know. Lately my house seems to be crazier than Grand Central Station and with birthdays, back-to-school and football season right around the corner...the insanity promises to grow.

So how in the world can I get any writing done? I asked myself this exact same question when I was smack dab in the middle of revisions and I had been interrupted for what seemed to be the hundredth time.

Now I understand that some of the dishes in my kitchen do grow legs in order to hide from my husband and I always hide my son's X-box controller. So it really should be no surprise that they have to ask me where things are every five minutes. Needless to say my focus becomes evasive after all of this nonsense.

So I came up with a few solutions to my problem. Now I have capitalized on my writing time and have more free time to spend being finder of all lost things.

Below I've listed the quick fixes that anyone can use:

1. Headphones-I always assemble some sort of playlist when I start working on a new MS. Music always helps get my creativity flowing and it relaxes me.

2. Un-plug-Now don't panic. It's only for a little while and I promise the blogoshpere will still be there when you get back. Again, I told myself this over and over again when I was forced to do this very thing.

3. Find you own space-This is very important. Set aside a small area (or a large one if you have it.) But make it yours and yours alone. Have everything you need right there at your fingertips. My family knows when I go to my space to work that I'm basically on an island surrounded by sharks and they can't get to me.

4. Set aside a special time-I have a set amount of time set aside each day for me to work. It's not a lot, but without the constant interruptions I get so much more accomplished.

5. Give yourself permission-Give yourself permission to take breaks from your writing. Give yourself permission to celebrate even the smallest of victories. Just give yourself whatever you need you need in order to be successful in your writing venture.

Though nothing in my crazy life is foolproof, these fixes have helped me tremendously! So now it's your turn...when your world is spinning out of control, how do you focus?

Have a great day everyone!