Welcome to the second installment of, "My Biggest Writing Challenge Is ...," a series that was created from our June webinar discussion on Writing Content that Connects. Here are 3 keys to staying focused on one task.

Welcome to the second installment of, "My Biggest Writing Challenge Is ...," a series that was created from our June webinar discussion on Writing Content that Connects. Our hope is that the tips and tricks presented in this series will give you the tools you need to overcome your biggest writing challenges. Because writing content that connects to your community is so important, we want to help break down any barriers that stand in your way. 

If you missed the first installment, click here to read more about why we started the series and read, "5 steps to make the shift from conquering to creating."  

The issue:

"My brain often has too many "tabs" open and I sometimes lose focus on the task right in front of me."

The solution: 

1. Clear the space 

Having too many tabs open in your browser can definitely feel overwhelming, you lose track of which tabs belong to which web pages and pretty soon you're flipping through a bunch of different things before you even get to the one you want. Besides stress, this can also cause distractions if you get caught up in doing something you hadn't even planned on starting in on. The best thing to do is get rid of what isn't necessary. 

It works the same way for your brain. Close out what you can. Clear the space. If it's a to-do list or calendar on your desk ... put it in a drawer. If it's constant alerts from your phone that you're getting emails and text messages ... turn it on silent. If it's some small tasks that are nagging at you ... consider quickly completing them first. If it's actual tabs open in your browser ... close everything you don't need at that moment. If there is just too much going on at your desk/work area ... take your computer to a fresh, new place where you can detach from everything else and focus on the task in front of you. 

2. Get your ears involved

Our current technological world offers a lot of distractions. The constant lights and noises of our phones, tablets and computers; the constant ability to have a conversation with anyone at anytime; the constant stream of information (words, pictures, sounds) that can, and do, enter and swim around in our brains throughout the day can make it seem impossible to ever fully focus on one thing. Sometimes, we have to find a way to create a powerhouse of concentration. 

One of the best ways to do this is to get your ears involved. Whether that's blocking out outside noises by creating a "concentration playlist" or using a white noise machine, or ... talking about/reading what you're working on out loud. Reading your instructions, the content you're trying to edit or the content you're trying to create out loud, can be one of the most helpful concentration solutions. When you both see and hear the words, it forces your brain to focus on the information that you're taking in. 

3. Shake it off 

Sometimes our brains just hurt. The sheer volume of things we have to think about during the day ... the things we have to make sure get done, the emails we have to send, the people we have to contact, the things we have to write down and remember to write down ... can create a mass of dos and don'ts that is enough to send us crawling under our desks. Enter ... relaxation techniques. 

Allow yourself to recognize that your job is stressful. It's a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, but it's also something you can accomplish. This task is something you can accomplish. Take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and take a few more deep breaths. Exhale. Shake it off. And ... go. 

Missed the webinar? Download the on-demand version for free below!

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