One frustrating thing about writing is not being able to focus. When this happens, we’re stuck on a page, not getting any words out. When our minds jump from one thing to the next, it’s hard to stay focused, to delve into an idea that we want to explore and write about.
Staying focused is hard thing to do when so many things are going on. Whether we’re distracted by our worries and thoughts, or things that are happening on the news or in our life, it hinders creativity, keeps us from creating.
I think there are only two solutions for overcoming not focusing. One is discipline–to build our endurance to stay focused on a topic/idea. This means having a schedule to write, designating a few minutes or an hour to keep the distractions out and focus on one thing. The other solution is to find an idea to be passionate about–one that we don’t want to leave or abandon, one that requires our full attention and thinking. When we’re passionate about something, we naturally gravitate toward it–give our time and energy to it.
But let’s say we are disciplined and we’re passionate about an idea, but we still can stay focused. In this case, perhaps it’s just a matter of having a workspace that is conducive to staying focused. Having a space (a workspace) that is dedicated to writing and productivity, a room or a space where it is quiet. I
Of course, other factors can be at play as to why we can’t focus. One can be tiredness, boredom, or the idea itself might not grab our attention to begin with. When we lose focus, it’s as if that idea has evaded us, and we no longer want anything to do with it. And when this happens, it might stretch out, hindering us from creating. And if it happens long enough, we don’t create at all. This is my worst fear about not staying focused.
Fallton Havenstonne 