In an ideal world authors would be able to live in their creative bubble and work until they had met their daily word target before dealing with the rest of ‘real life’.  Unfortunately, this isn’t possible for most of us who are writing alongside our other commitments, and when you’ve had to be in ‘left brain’ analytical mode all day, just getting things done, it’s tricky to get into the ‘right brain’ creative mindset needed to write.

The key to easily accessing your creativity starts with good organisation.  It sounds dull but actually applying some time management techniques to your day will help you stay on top of your workload so you can get ‘the necessary’ done as quickly and easily as possible leaving you more time and head space to write!

1. Prepare for the morning the night before:

This is especially important if you have children.  Mornings are always hurried, we’re up against a time deadline, traffic is heavy, we may have the school run or we may take time to ‘wake up’ properly.  Whatever your morning is like, spending just 10 minutes preparing the night before is an easy way to get out of the door on time!  Write your ‘to do’ list for the next day, get your clothes for the next day ready, put all briefcases, schoolbags and items you will need by the front door for a quick getaway!

2. Get up 15 minutes earlier:

This follows on from the point above.  You may be tired but allow yourself the extra breathing space in the morning for the unexpected and you’ll still get to where you need to be on time and in control!

3. Always have a ‘Plan B’:

With any task, we hope that it will work out as we’d expect, but plans are unpredictable and may sometimes go off course.  Before you get to the point where your project is about to collapse, develop a ‘Plan B’.  It will need focus from you but it will be time well spent, as you will be confident that you have a solution to every outcome and this will keep your stress levels down!

4. Be an ‘active’ listener:

Active listening is something that we should do more of but when we’re rushed, rarely do.  Getting the conversation over with and ‘off the list’ might be our priority but by not truly listening to what the other person is saying, we miss things that are important or could help us to complete our tasks more professionally.  Practise active listening by slowing down to the moment.  Don’t let your mind wander onto your next job until you have completed the present one.  This is also good advice for when you are writing!

5. Avoid negative people:

Pessimistic or unenthusiastic people are draining.  There will always be those in life who are not happy unless they are moaning, and whatever you say will not suddenly convince them that there is a better way to look at things.  Misery loves company so don’t give it to them and keep your mind alert for the more important task you have of expressing your thoughts and ideas in that book that’s waiting to be written!

These 5 strategies should get you started but part two of this series will give you 5 more ways to best life’s stresses and nurture your creativity.

2009 © Nadine Hill