Hope Writes

Setting Up Shop

photo credit: MarkWallace

Last week I was in a cleaning mood. I cleaned and had my husband help me move some large, heavy furniture. In the midst of all the cleaning, I decided to give my son my desk.

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Popularity: 50% [?]

Tags: writers, Writing, writing blog, Writing tips

Writers And Self-Discipline

It’s no big surprise that so many writers deal with procrastination on a regular basis. Writers, like many other artists, are free spirits. We have our own ways of thinking and many of us march to a the beat of a different drummer.

The problem with our eccentricity is that sometimes we fall prey to wasting time because of the lack of self-discipline. How many times have you heard a writer say, "I’d write that book, if only I had more time,"? I personally have always had a problem with procrastination. And the biggest reason was because I didn’t discipline myself to spend my time more wisely.

If you are having trouble trying to juggle several writing pens at once, try some of these tips to discipline yourself and see if your productivity increases.

Self-Discipline Tips For Writers

1. Create a schedule for yourself. I have found that I am most unproductive when I’m not working on a schedule. When I plan my days on a calendar, I am likely to get much more accomplished. I can grab my planner, take a quick look at the week and know what needs to be done. This creates a whole different mindset, than if I just fly by the seat of my skirt.
2. Refrain from buying new "toys" while you’re in the middle of an important project. We writers love our tools, don’t we? And we always get excited when we discover a new fountain pen, pretty notebook, or a sale on printer ink. The only problem with buying new "toys" when you’re in the middle of a writing job is that you get sidetracked and lose precious time. Stay focused and get the job done, then go out and buy yourself a new writing toy. 
3. Learn how to say NO. This is a really big one for most writers. You know it’s feast or famine sometimes, so saying no to a prospective client can really be hard to do. It’s important to remember that while you want to be sure you have enough work to keep you busy, you don’t want to take on so much work that you become overwhelmed. Figure in some time to relax every now and then so you don’t get burned out.
4. Open a savings account. So you finally completed that big job and received payment. You’ve got a nice check coming in the mail and if you’re not going to put that money towards a bill, you’re probably already scheming up ways to spend that hard-earned money. Instead of blowing it all, why not take it to the bank and open a savings account for yourself. Or, if you already have a savings account, deposit that check into your savings. Be more controlled over how you spend your money. If you’re tempted to go on a shopping spree but don’t really need anything, take your money straight to the bank instead. You’ll be glad you did later!

Self-discipline is all about learning how to control yourself. If you are an impulse buyer, you haven’t learned the art of self-control yet. As a writer, self-discipline is important to your long-term vitality. Learning how to deny yourself some things right now can mean having more later in life.

How do you practice self-discipline?

Popularity: 13% [?]

Holiday Drain

Do the holidays drain you? I drafted an email to my best friend last week, pouring out my heart and woes to her. I told her I felt “dried out” and empty of anything that could be useful to others. Then I proceeded to list out all the reasons why I thought I felt this way.

By the time I finished my drivel I had this weird sensation of déjà vu. One of my last sentences said: (Do I get like this at the end of every year? Seems like we might have had this discussion before too…..)

Sure enough, she emailed me right back and said that I do go through this every year at this same time of the year. Furthermore, she informed me that I always decide take a real break, but never do. And she is so RIGHT!

It’s a simple fact that the holidays brings about a whole other set of emotions. That added to an already bulging work load can drain you quicker than anything. So how do you work through the holidays without becoming overwhelmed?

When I worked in the factory (many, many moons ago), we were given a week of vacation during the Christmas holidays. The factory even closed for a week during the summer for vacation. We also had several other one- or two-day holidays sprinkled throughout the year. If I was allowed that many days off while working in a factory, why in the world don’t I allow myself time off now, when I’m working from home?

The biggest problem, in my opinion, is that when you work from home you become more attached to your work. You can pick it up and put it down as you please. And usually we end up picking it up more than we put it down, don’t we?

To prevent holiday drain, it is imperative that we all learn how to walk away from work and take that much-needed time off. Working through pain and stress will only lead to more stress, making us unproductive and grumpy.

I know I’m preaching to the choir here because I know many of you find it just as difficult as I do to walk away from work and take that much-needed break. But sometimes you just have to do it.

I am going to lead by example. I have blocked out a full week on my calendar and will be taking a reprieve from work, from tomorrow through next Thursday. I want to come back fully charged and bursting with inspiration. I’ll be posting reprints of articles and will throw in a couple new posts that are already written.

I’m taking a break…how about you?

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Push Back The Chair & Walk Away From The Computer

*Edited and reposted from the Warrior Forum

Anyone who knows me knows that I *rarely* take breaks. I hate it. Breaks make me feel unproductive and lazy. But this break was of necessity. I knew I needed it, and as bad as I hated to walk away, I did. Yesterday I left the house altogether and stayed out all day with my little sister (Christmas shopping). I don’t like crowds and don’t really like shopping either, but I had the best day.

This evening I’m sitting here alone in the quiet (something VERY rare at my house!) and reflecting on the last couple of days. As much as I hate breaks, I realize that everybody NEEDS one every now and then. There’s no way to keep the candle burning at both ends forever. So I thought I’d share some reasons why you should push your chair away from the computer and walk away for a little while, too…

Your mind needs time to recharge. Despite what you think, you can run out of ideas and energy if you don’t take frequent breaks. Even people who work jobs in the “real” world are required to take a 10-15 minute break every couple of hours, plus a lunch break. Those of us who work at home should require the same of ourselves.

Taking a break, whether it’s a short 30-minute break three times daily, or a 2-day break away from the computer and work, can make a huge difference in your mental power. Giving your brain this “down” time actually helps to recharge your batteries.

Ideas abound in places other than the Internet. There have been many times when I felt so dry and low on ideas. But when I take a step back, get out, mingle among real-live people, ideas abound everywhere. Some of the best places to get great (and sometimes weird and funny!) ideas are: gas stations, small hometown cafes, Wal-Mart (God forbid!), magazine racks, grocery store, coffee shops…

More time with your family. I will be the first to admit that I don’t spend nearly enough time with my children. Even though I’m at home and I homeschool some days it feels like there just isn’t enough hours in the day to do what needs to be done. Stepping back from your work for a bit can truly open your eyes to what you’re missing out on, as well as help you to appreciate what you have even more.

I know that our business IS the Internet. But I just wanted to post a little reminder that our lives shouldn’t revolve around it.
Go take a break…

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Tags: Business Builders