Did you ever meet someone who was so passionate about something that they could talk about it for hours, even days, without even a little bit of boredom? That’s the kind of person you’ll want to work with if you’re looking for a fresh voice to help you with your writing. The passion behind their work will excite your readers and keep them interested in what you have to say.
What would happen if you could combine that energy with the fact that they probably have a lot of expertise in the field? You’ll end up with an MVP (Most Valuable Post) who can teach you a lot about writing and how to make your content stand out.
In this article, we’ll talk about how to learn to focus when writing so that you can produce content that is as good as—if not better than—most people’s first drafts. You’ll learn some tips and tricks for getting your writing done, and maybe even end up finding a new passion for writing that you never knew you had.
Set A Goal
The first step to learning to focus when writing is to set a goal. You can set a goal of writing 2 paragraphs every day, or 200 words. It’s up to you. Just make sure that you stick to it. You’ll soon find that the more you write, the better you get, so there’s no reason to rush things.
Even the most experienced writers will tell you that writing is a slog. It’s not a race. You don’t have to rush in order to finish. You will never be good enough if you don’t give it your best shot, but you shouldn’t feel pressured to publish before Christmas. You’re going to improve with every single piece you write, so there’s no reason to rush.
Reevaluate Your Purpose
An experienced (and sometimes daunting) writer might suggest that you revisit your purpose for writing. In a nutshell, your purpose is going to be the guide that helps you write everything else. It might be the most helpful article you ever read if you’re looking to get a clearer picture of what your article’s about. If you’re struggling to figure out the theme of your content, it can help you decide what kind of articles you should be creating. Think of a time when you felt frustrated or uninspired while writing. If you’re looking for deeper meaning, ask yourself why you’re writing what you’re writing. Sometimes, the answer can help you decide what to work on next.
Prioritize The Most Important Tasks
If you’re looking for something to focus on, there are plenty of things you could choose from. However, if you want to become a better writer, it might be a good idea to tackle the most important tasks first. That way, you’ll soon see the results of your efforts, and you’ll be able to tell if what you’re doing is working or not. The following are some of the most important tasks you need to tackle if you want to become a better writer:
- Find a voice.
- Practice your voice.
- Read a lot.
- Study grammar and usage.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Do your research.
- Organize your thoughts.
- Be consistent.
- Find your passion.
- Write often.
- Revise. Revise. Revise.
- Have courage.
- Be confident.
- Be determined.
- Keep going.
These tasks might seem overwhelming, but if you work on them one at a time, you’ll soon see the results. Do one thing at a time, and soon enough, you’ll have a whole section of your writing that you can show your potential employer or college admissions officer. Just take it step by step, and soon enough, you’ll be producing content that is as good as—if not better than—most people’s first drafts.
Put In The Time
If you want to learn to focus when writing, you’ve got to put the time in. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are; it will still take you a while to learn how to focus. In the beginning, you might find yourself constantly distracted by unimportant things, causing you to lose important chunks of time while writing. It’s going to be frustrating if you’re not even aware of it, so be patient.
Instead of just rushing through each task as quickly as possible, make sure you’re doing it in a proper manner. Take the time to learn how to focus, and soon enough, you’ll be writing content that is as good as—if not better than—most people’s first drafts.
Reward Yourself
You’ve worked hard. You’ve overcome your fears of writing. You’ve even managed to set a writing goal (which may be the hardest thing you’ve ever done). It’s not easy being a writer, and sometimes, it can be frustrating when you don’t even see the results you’re hoping for. Instead of just focusing on the niggling feeling that keeps you up at night, write down the things you like about what you’ve created. Rewarding yourself for a job well done will help you keep going. It might be hard to believe, but writing is a challenging field that can feel grueling at times. As writers, we are paid to be creative and to think outside of the box, but that doesn’t mean we don’t experience stress and anxiety. Rewarding yourself for a job well done might be the best way to show yourself that you’re worth it, and that you’re on the right track to becoming a better writer. You’ll feel inspired and motivated to keep writing, and that’s what’s really important.