10 tips to stay focused when blogging

It is quite common for writers to become distracted. Your mind can begin to wander and before you know it, the clock has moved ahead several minutes or even an hour! Blogging requires concentration to ensure your content is interesting. Here are a few hints for helping you to keep your focus while blogging.

1. Blog From Home

It is tempting to take your laptop along with you and to blog at the local coffee shop or café, but it is best to do your blogging from home because it is there that you have total control over your distractions. Find a quiet spot in the house and make it your own.

2. Write Faster

If you write/type quickly, your mind does not have time to wander. Let the ideas flow and get them down quickly. Don’t concern yourself with spelling and grammar errors – just allow your mind to flow. When done, simply go over what you have done in order to make any necessary edits. Many professional writers use this technique and find it very helpful.

3. Listen to Music

Some people who find themselves becoming easily distracted while blogging turn on the radio or their stereo to listen to their favourite tunes while writing. Music tends to keep your mind on task, while sitting in dead silence often results in your mind wandering.

4. Stay Away From Email

Once you sit down to begin blogging, make a promise to yourself that you will not check your email every ten minutes. It is best to close all windows on your computer except for the ones needed for blogging so you will not be tempted to check or answer your email.

5. Definitely No Facebook or Twitter

Many of us routinely check Facebook and Twitter numerous times during the day to see what our friends are up to. You will end up spending a couple of hours writing a rather straight-forward blog posting that would otherwise take you fifteen or twenty minutes to write if you are checking everyone’s profile on FB instead of concentrating on your writing.

6. Mute Your Mobile Phone

Once you have decided to do your blogging, eliminate the possibility of being disturbed by a ringing phone by turning your mobile phone on mute. Whoever tries to reach you while you are writing can either leave a voice mail or call you later.

7. Disable Chat Programs

If you are an online chatter, close the programs down or show your status as ‘offline’ or ‘busy’. You cannot stay focused on blogging if your IM window is blinking every few minutes. Again, your friends will be there when you are finished.

8. Write Early in the Morning or Late at Night

It is often best to do your blogging early in the morning or late at night. This is when there is less traffic and fewer people out on the streets outside your window. Many bloggers prefer to get started bright and early in the stillness of the mornings.

9. De-Clutter Your Workspace

A messy desk is not conducive to productivity. Clean up your workspace by removing distracting items from your desk. Keep your work area neat and avoid keeping too many items on the desk in front of you, as the simplest item can become very distracting. Make it a habit to de-clutter every day before sitting down to blog.

10. Eat Well and Don’t Skip Meals

This should go without saying, but if your stomach is growling your mind will inevitably wander to the topic of food and about what you want to eat. Eat a well rounded and nutritious meal before blogging and be sure to keep some healthy snacks on hand when you need a lift.

By following these tips, you should be able to be quite productive when blogging and should find it easy to stay focused. The best bloggers out there know all too well the importance of staying on task and eliminating distractions. Happy blogging to you!

Blogging productivity is within your reach. Check out my 720 Hours – The Ultimate Guide To Blogging Productivity now. Using the mindset and tips that I present in this guide, you can achieve your goals by getting focused, slowing the clock down, and knowing your priorities. Get this guide and join thousands of others who been helped by my productivity tips.

Tom Walker is a full time blogger and designer who works with an online store offering print supplies such as HP 300 ink. He regularly blogs about art and advertising design on their blog, the CreativeCloud. Want to guest post on HowToMakeMyBlog? See more info here.

Image Credit: joguldi