The Need for Zen

A deluge of information. Constant stimulation. 700 channels, ordering with 1-Click, blogs and Twitter and Tumblr and Pinterest and Facebook. RSS, DVR, ROI, BTW, CIA, PSP, ROFLMAO.

Tired yet?

Focus is a dirty word in our lightning-fast world. Who has time to focus on anything? Take an hour to concentrate and you could miss an email.

But here is the fact: Writing takes focus.

Often, trouble with finding time to write is really more about finding focus to write. So many other things jockey for our attention that we can’t find the quiet space inside that nurtures creativity. When you do find it, even your 15 or 30 minutes of writing time can yield amazing results.

How do you create that focus? One way is to create a discrete space. You may need a door. I have one, as well as a doorknob sign that reads, Do Not Disturb. Writer at Work. At the very least, you will need some quiet. A trip to the library or coffee shop may be in order. More than that, you need mental quiet. Turn off your email, your phone, your Google alerts. Writing takes two: You and the blank page. (Okay, and maybe a pencil. Or keyboard.)

Here’s another Zen trick: the Time Map. I borrowed this technique from organizer Julie Morgenstern. A Time Map is a simple table that breaks down my day into half-hour increments, like a detailed day calendar. Each day I fill it in. If I schedule writing from 10:30 to 11:30, then I drop everything else for that hour. It’s dedicated to one task.

You’ve heard before that you need to schedule your writing time. That’s important, but the Time Map allows you to schedule your other time as well. This is crucial. Along with writing time, my Time Map includes things like “Check email,” “Call doctor,” and “Go to the dog groomer.” When I’m in my designated writing zone, I don’t worry about the doctor or dog groomer because I know that’s taken care of later in the day. Right now I’m doing one thing.

That’s what Zen is all about: concentration and focus. Try it and see if you’re not more productive in that limited time zone.

And while you’re at it, turn off the TV.

If this post sounds familiar, you may have read it before. Sorry. I've been doing some blog tinkering, merging, etc. It's still sound advice.