How to Build Focus and Commitment in Writing

Writing requires focus and commitment to finish a short story, a book or a blog post entry. It sounds easy to grasp and make it happen but in reality, many aspiring writers (and even professional writers) are failing on this aspect. A new important question that you need to ask yourself is:

“What does it takes to gain focus and commitment to push through with my dream writing projects?”

In my previous blog, “Be Authentic and Clear: The Ultimate Foundation in Writing”, I mentioned the importance of answering this important question, “Why do I write?” or “Why do I want to write?” because this will give you clarity and authenticity as a writer.

(Note: Read the complete blog. Check the guide questions I’ve shared there to help you reflect on your writing intentions.)

After having the clarity of intentions why you want to write, the next step is how you are going to establish focus and commitment. When I decided to really go for my dream to become a writer, I learned two important things in creating a focused and committed writing life.

1. Focus and commitment in writing must be strong and stable. Strength and stability depend on the level of clarity and authenticity of purpose why you want to write. 

2. Focus and commitment in writing requires action. You have to do the act of writing persistently and consistently.

My Experience:

Aside from writing and coaching works, I am, first of all, a full-time mom to my baby daughter. Taking care of an infant and maintaining a full household (without house-help) is one of the toughest and most exhausting jobs in the world. (I can say this now because I’ve already experienced several types of jobs — engineering, business, organization and voluntary works, nursing and caring an old sick person and more.) With all the sleepless nights and exhausting duties that I face each day, I felt that I have all the excuses in the world not to write stories and maintain a blog site.

But this exhaustion led me to feel the urge that I need to do something for myself. I did a lot of thinking and I realized that writing is my personal expression of happiness. Every time I write, I feel happy, refreshed and energized. Even if it is not easy to write (and to actually find time to write), I just do it — one day at a time. I also realized that if I will not going to do it now, then when?

I started writing everyday for 10 minutes for one week. Then it becomes 30 minutes. Gradually, I noticed that my mind and body were starting to always seek for more writing sessions. I indulged my mind with the mantra, “I want to write more,” and think less of my dramas such as rest deprivation and back aches. I would also drag myself out of bed while my baby sleeps just to write something.

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: It is not easy. And I am sure that it won’t be that easy for you as well. Establishing a strong habit is always hard in the beginning. The secret is to be persistent in taking necessary actions. It may not be easy but it is possible and doable.

I want to encourage you to include in your life the value of persistency. It can do so much for your writing life (and for your other life goals).

 

Your focus and commitment must be strong and stable.

In order to achieve focus and commitment in writing, you’ve got to build a high level of clarity and purposeful intentions to the writing project that you want to finish.

How to check the level of your clarity and authenticity?

The major sign of a high level of clarity and authenticity is when your mind stops from thinking all the excuses and reasons why you cannot write. Instead, you always think of ways how to overcome the barriers that hinder you to write your thoughts and ideas. It is important to learn how to dissolve  excuses in your mind so you can really embrace a life of focus and commitment.

Dissolving excuses in your mind does not actually require work. It will automatically happen if you keep on strengthening your sense of clarity and purpose why you want to write. When you fill your mind with thoughts that will grow your intentions, there can be no space in your head to entertain excuses and barriers. This is one of the hardest things to exercise in the beginning — to always align your thoughts with your desire, mission and intention. Gradually, you will get used to it and mind-setting will become less hard.

Writing Tip: Always check the level of your clarity and authenticity in your writing works. Doing so will train your mind to always look for ways how to strengthening it. This will help you stop entertaining excuses.

You can try this: Get a blank sheet of paper. List all your good intentions and affirmations why you want to do a particular writing project. Read it everyday and give some time until it becomes a habit. Here is an example.

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My Writing Reasons

1. I want to write because I deeply feel in my heart that I am destined to become a writer.
2. My stories and blogs are instruments of inspiration and enlightenment to my readers. It is my way of serving people. And I love and enjoy serving others.
3. I write because I love expressing who I really am. I feel free and happy.

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What about yours? Write your own. Be true to yourself. (Don’t forget to get your blank sheet of paper.)

 

Focus and commitment requires action. You have to do it persistently and consistently.

Focus and commitment are way more than overused words in the motivational industry. Few years ago, I used to attend writing seminars and workshops wherein I heard all speakers would preach about focus and commitment. But never did I try to deeply practice what it really means. I was able to learn the concept of focus and commitment but failed to try and put it into practice. Only when I took action and kept on writing that I finally understand what it really means.

Maybe similar to my previous experiences, you have taken for granted the true essence of focus and commitment for several times. Perhaps, this blog can also be just another ‘concept’ learning for you, but I earnestly encourage you to go beyond what the mind can learn and bring these lessons into life by taking appropriate actions into your writing life.

Like any habits, starting a new one may take discomforts to your whole being. But take heart and be bigger than your excuses. I know that you can do it. I see this many times with the people I coach in writing. I understand their initial struggle to focus and commit in their writing tasks. That is why in the beginning of the our coaching, I serve as their accountability partner to keep them going. After some time, they were able to develop their own ‘focus and commitment muscles’, and that’s the time when I let them do it by themselves.

 

Suggestions to Help You Implant Focus and Commitment into Your Being

We are all different and there are things that may seem to work for others but not for you. My suggestions below may or may not work for you, but it is my desire to provide the best help and guidance for you to jumpstart and keep going with your writing dream. You can try considering them in your own practice.

1. Stay awake and alert with what’s running in your head. Rebuke negative and victim thoughts. Instead, think repetitively of your writing plans and aspirations. 
2. Set a writing plan and workable schedule. It should be realistic but will challenge your typical routine to go extra mile. (Example: Write a story with minimum of 3,000 words every week.)
3. Write. Write. Write. There is no other way to develop the muscle of focus and commitment but to keep working, moving and exercising. You’ve got to do it to see for yourself how effective and powerful it is.

 

In this blog, I thought it would add a little help if I share my personal stuffs so you can visualize how I do my work.

 

 

 

 

Let’s Get Working! (Optional)

Enough of too much concept teaching and encouragements. As I’ve mentioned, the only way to master focus and commitment is to keep on moving. If you are ready and willing to take one step further on your writing career, I am so much willing and excited to help and become part of your journey.

I am offering you a free preliminary writing coaching and accountability to help you start moving. Email me at ctbymadylene@gmail.com and express your desire to jumpstart your writing dream. I’ll be happy to help you! 🙂