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Workspace Organization Tips to Help You Develop Productive Writing Habits

Workspace Organization Tips to Help You Develop Productive Writing Habits

Workspace Organization Tips to Help You Develop Productive Writing Habits
Image by Amy Burton

Workspace Organization Tips to Help You Develop Productive Writing Habits

Today, we're talking about ways to create a workspace that promotes productive writing habits. The right workspace won't solve all of your productivity issues, but it will certainly help promote good habits.

When we're short on time–who isn't?–, we need to make the most of every minute we can. Just like a dirty house can turn off house guests, a cluttered workspace can make the muse disappear. It can be too distracting, causing you to direct your attention elsewhere.

The reason why an organized workspace is so important is that many things distract us throughout the day and during our writing sessions. It's a struggle to focus your attention on one specific thing when you're used to multi-tasking. Your mind runs a mile a minute. The bills need to be paid; the spouse, kids, and pets need to be fed; the garbage needs to be taken out; the house needs to be cleaned; and so on. So many tasks vie for your attention, especially during the Christmas season.

With all of these things interfering with our productivity, we need to do what we can to keep our desks and workspaces clear of distractions so we can stay focused on the goal at hand.

Here are some tips on keeping your workspace organized so you can develop productive writing habits.

File everything. Have a place for everything and make yourself put it away as soon as you're done using it. Even if you use it daily, file it daily. At the end of the day, make sure your desk is cleared off for a new day.

Another thing that helps is to remove all personal items from your workspace. We don't need things that constantly remind us of our responsibilities during our writing sessions. We have enough trouble with that on our own. If you need things sitting out, such as a check that you need to deposit at the bank, put them somewhere else, out of sight. If you leave it within your peripheral vision, it will tempt you to think about it and how you still haven't gone to the bank yet.

The same goes for your computer screen. Leaving windows open makes it tempting to click on them. Remove the temptation by closing out programs you don't need.

With the new age of technology, writers have to be careful not to spend too much time doing non-writing activities. Developing relationships with your readers is one thing; spending hours and hours chatting is quite another. And during our writing sessions, we have to be disciplined enough to scold ourselves when we click away from our word processors. By having your programs and windows "put away", you'll have an easier time forcing yourself to focus on one task at a time, allowing yourself to get more writing done.

Maintaining an organized workspace will take a little time and effort, but by doing so, you'll be promoting more productive writing habits.

Jody Calkins
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