Getting the Spark Back:
How Writing Can Boost Your
Productivity and Motivation

By Bella Williams

A writer is likely to have good days and bad days just like any other professional. You may have had an excellent writing session one morning but the next day you keep staring at the paper, unable to focus on anything.

Even if you feel that the creative spark in you has vanished, you cannot give up. The more you move away from your passion, the more disorganized your whole life becomes. The act of writing rejuvenates the mind and the body; it adds value to life and boosts overall productivity.

Ways in which writing can boost productivity:

1. Set Smaller Goals
   When you write down small achievable targets for yourself, your productivity is likely to go up. As you attain these small goals, you are motivated to take on the tougher challenges. You can start by following a mantra to get a positive mindset. You should keep repeating this mantra in your mind to stay motivated for facing all kinds of problems head on.
2. Remove Distractions
   If you can get rid of all distractions, you know you will be able to focus better to write better. This means disconnecting yourself from all kinds of social networking sites. You could even keep your phone on silent and use headphones to listen to soothing music instead. With all these temptations out of the way, you are free to play with words. Some tools that can help you write better

   The JDarkRoom application can help you write better minus distractions. Here, you will be provided with a blank paper in which you must type. You will not get distracted by emails and messages and when you have finished, the work can be saved.

   Selfcontrol is another free Mac application to stay away from distracting websites.

3. Make Public Commitments
   When you feel de-motivated and unproductive, you can try to share your goals on public forums. That is why instead of procrastinating, you post your goals on sites like Facebook and other public platforms to get feedbacks and supports from your followers and friends. You will soon feel encouraged and responsible for living up to their expectations.
4. Create a Routine
   It helps to follow a routine every day as it keeps you inspired to work towards your goals. For some people, an early morning jog can work wonders. Whatever brings a smile to your face is welcome as long as you feel content and relaxed. If you can eliminate negativity, you can stay motivated. When you can actually see your goals before you, you are likely to be on the right track. Therefore, it may help to write down your routine and goals on a visualization board to track your progress. You can also keep a paper and pen handy to jot down your ideas. Maintaining a journal to record your progress can help you stay on track to work towards self-improvement.
5. Follow an Information Diet
   It is important to save yourself from information overload. The Internet is a huge distraction and it is best to write offline as far possible. Unplugging yourself from newspapers and mindless surfing on the Internet can help you become more productive. You must only take in information, which you can act upon; the rest will only delay your writing endeavors.
6. Simply Start
   Free writing is a good way to let the ideas flow naturally. You can set a timer and just start writing whatever comes to your mind. You do not stop to ponder; you only write so that your mind is free from clutter. You will soon find the imagination creeping back into your writing. The lost rhythm will find its way back into your writing and this time it is not going to go away. Starting is usually the toughest part but once you can do this, you know you are on the right path.
   
7. Create Your Own Space
   You need to find yourself just the right place to start writing. It could be a corner in your room or even a café, but it must be a place, that gives you positivity and where you will come back every day. Every time you come here, you need to consciously remind yourself that this is your time for writing and the whole world outside does not exist. Focusing for long hours may be hard for many writers; so those with limited attention span can take breaks. You could set timers and write in short bursts, taking a short break afterwards to unwind. When you write in installments, you end up writing faster. It will also keep you motivated and inspired to improve yourself.

You must not let the fear of imperfections get the better of you. Personal growth is only possible through focus, patience and discipline.