How to Stay Motivated and Cope With Writing Challenges Like a Pro

I know how frustrating it can be when you feel demotivated, struggle to focus on writing, and face various challenges in your writing journey. Let me share how I've overcome these obstacles and learned to handle them like a pro.

Writing requires full attention. If I compare writing to a person, I would say it's a self-obsessed girl who demands complete focus and respect, especially when tackling creative and deeply constructive subjects.

All writers go through different writing challenges, and one of them is staying focused on writing.

Every problem comes with a solution, so you, me and we all can deal with these challenges with the right approach and mindset.

Let me share how I keep myself focused on writing and overcome writing challenges.

1. Environment Matters

Sometimes the biggest challenge I experience is distraction that comes from the environment. There is a concept and formula in the medical field: to treat the disease, find out the cause, and deal with that. The same applies to writing.

Writing demands a peaceful environment with minimum to zero distraction so that nothing hits your mind when it's generating ideas.

Make sure:

• Noise has no access to your writing space.
• Your writing space has dim and soothing light.
• Keep a pen and diary by yourself to draft your ideas.
• Clean your mind from any thoughts that can emerge with your creativity.

2. Set Goals

If you want to achieve something, it's important to be clear about that. What makes you clear about your directions are your goals.

When you come to your writing desk, set goals. (Try to pen your goal by the end of the previous day.)

It could be:

• What do you want to write?
• What word count do you want to cover?
• What is the purpose of your writing?
• And expected time to complete your task.

It will provide you with the direction to move in.

Such as, when I go to bed, I make a draft for my next day's writing goals.

I will suggest you set goals by the end of the day for the next day so that you wake up with a clear image of what you are going to achieve for the day. Although it's not a compulsion, you can outline your goals on the same day when you are at your writing desk.

3. Time Management Techniques

One of the most crucial parts.

I always wondered why I was focused for a short time and then got distracted even if there was no distraction.

I usually manage to write for 15 or 30 minutes. Then feels like my creativity is blocked. When I keep trying to deal with the situation, it even worsens the process.

But when I quit on it. Give my mind time to gather energy back, It works.

Later, I found I am not alone in experiencing this. It's the writer's common problem, and this process is given the name Pomodoro Technique.

In the Pomodoro Technique, you work for a focused period, typically 25 minutes, and then take a short break. Repeat this cycle several times, and then take a more extended break. Breaking your writing time into manageable chunks can help prevent burnout and maintain concentration.

4. Refresh Yourself

Writing can only give fruitful results when it is a product of a fresh mind. You must do some refreshing activity while writing.

As I mentioned, the Pomodoro technique can be practised to refresh your mind.

Other than that, take frequent breaks to avoid burnout. You can do a small activity that refreshes your mind.

What works for me?

I quit writing and performed no activity at all and shut my thoughts as well. I process inside-out silence.

Sometimes, I listen to soothing music. Instrumentals or subliminal.

Preparing food for me also freshens my mind. Though I am not a cooking person, I enjoy trying quick recipes and my favorite food.

I listen to podcasts that add value and motivate me.

It depends on you; do what makes you feel better and fresh. Challenges are not a big deal if we know how to deal. Every writer goes through them. Some stuck to the situation, and some dealt with it. It's up to a person how he/she is going to proceed. If you are willing to cope with them, nobody can stop you from achieving your writing goals.

© Mahnoor Chaudhry 🖋 🪻