Removing Distractions: Outside

Generally speaking there are only two kinds of distractions: The ones from outside of yourself and the ones from inside of yourself. The outside distractions are the easier kinds to remove.
You have the option of eliminating them…

…by removing the source of the distraction
…by moving yourself away from the distraction
…by making the distraction easier to ignore

So if you can get an office without internet and a construction side right by your window: Do it.

Otherwise get on a train to write or find a spot at your local library or coffeeshop.

If you can’t, get yourself a laptop without internet connection, put your phone on flightmodus or leave it at home or at least in a different room.

If there is a construction site right by your window and you can’t move, get yourself earplugs or headphones with active noise cancelling.

And something else: Make yourself as comfortable as you can. For example I can’t write while I’m cold. So good thick socks are elementary.

The same goes for food and water. My recommendation would be one glass of water on your table. One glass, not a pitcher. Because when I’m bored or are thinking: I am drinking. And then I have to frequent the restroom quite frequently. Which interrupts the writing.

So one glass of water and if you need to refill, do it during your Pomodoro pauses.

For food: Get something healthy if it really is for eating and not for getting yourself to write. Put an apple on your writing desk and some nuts. Or prepare a sandwich.

Because when we are hungry, we eat what is easy to procure. I don’t particularly like apples but I’m eating one every day now, just because I take the time to cut one in slices and arrange it nicely on a plate before I sit down to write.

Would I prefer a burger? Yes, yes I would.

But is there an apple? Yes. So I eat the apple.

Just don’t fall into the trap of writing so long that you are famished and will eat any crap that you come across on your trip to the kitchen or the next supermarket.

Or you can just put your writing routine right before a meal. But I wouldn’t recommend that because if you want to continue writing or cultivating a longer writing habit you won’t be able to.

Basically I want you to think about what kind of outside distractions can be - or already are - a factor when it comes to establishing a healthy and productive writing routine. And now think of solutions to them.

THE ONE THING

Write down THE ONE THING which was most useful to you from the chapter.

Then think about one way you can incorporate THE ONE THING in your comedy writing right now. WRITE! IT! DOWN!