Zoned-out: 15 tips to help get you in the “writing zone”

“I’ve always been fortunate in that I’ve been able to put myself in my own zone and relax. It comes naturally. I’m lucky to be that way.” — Michael Phelps

TIP 1: Eliminate all distractions (including your loved ones)!

Distractions are all around. Email inboxes and social media are two of the most common productivity killers. You deal with them on a daily basis. When those notifications start sounding, people often drop whatever they're doing to check on them.

So, leave your computer charger at home. Or even in another room. It may take a few drained batteries (and zero progress on your book) for your brain to catch on, but pretty soon, you’ll train yourself to write more efficiently, and with less pointless procrastination breaks on the internet.

Because when you’re “in the zone,” there is nothing else. The internet doesn’t exist. Email is a foreign concept. Anyone who lives outside of the world of your book is forgotten. So, the key is to do your best to emulate that state.

Eliminate these interruptions that compete for your attention. You can silence your phone. Put it on “airplane” or "do not disturb" mode so that text messages, calls, and emails can't threaten to tear you away from writing.

A football player is only thinking about playing football, and not about other life circumstances — such as an impending family situation, or virtually anything unrelated to sports — during the game. Athletes report not being concerned with anything helps them remain focused on their performance and only their performance, much like a writer should always remain focused on their writing.

TIP 2: Listen to instrumental music on a loop.

Lots of people make it a habit to listen to music while working. Did you know there's a way you can make your playlist much more productive for you when you’re writing? Choose one to three songs without vocals, and turn them into your writing playlist.

Musical repetition helps get you into “the zone” so your brain can focus more intently without becoming distracted by other noises, like construction or “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!”

Once the same song plays fifty times, you’ll start not to notice it anymore. Your brain registers the tones as background noise instead of a competing sound. Classical music or some type of white noise typically is said to produce the best results — you’ll become so focused on the page in front of you that you’ll be incapable of carrying a conversation.

TIP 3: What goes in your mouth matters!

A variety of side effects creep up when your body becomes dehydrated. Some get headaches. Others experience extreme brain fog or “brain fog,” which can lead to confusion.

Getting brain fog without warning makes it much more challenging for you to enter into “the writing zone.” Keep water bottles at your desk/couch/bedside (wherever it is you prefer to write) as a subtle reminder to stay hydrated.

“I will always eat and drink the same thing during the course of writing a book. I also have a rule that I only drink coffee when I’m writing. Not when I’m blogging, emailing or doing any other work-related things. Only when I’m chipping away at my word count do I allow myself a cup of joe. So now my mind automatically associates the caffeine buzz from coffee with working. And I get so much more done that way,” says Jessica Brody, author of My Life Undecided. She finished her book in three months!

“I would eat the same two mini brioches and a cup of coffee while I wrote,” she continues. “And I never ate this UNLESS I was writing. This further helps in getting your brain into writing mode. Not only are you in your little writing “sanctuary” but now you’re eating your writing food. Your mind is tricked into thinking it’s time to write!”

TIP 4: Exercise and breaks.

It's probably not the advice you want to hear, but physical exercise is crucial for a healthy mind and body. Regular movement makes a tremendous difference when it comes to getting into “the writing zone.”

A short walk can actually help improve your concentration and focus, even just a few times per week. Researchers say walking enhances the connectivity of brain circuits, helps combat declines in brain performance, and increases performance on cognitive tasks. If you absolutely don’t have time for a walk, a small break to get some fresh air can help decrease stress levels and re-energize your senses.

TIP 5: Find your ritual.

All good athletes have a ritual for getting in “the zone” – sometimes as simple as a quick bounce of the tennis ball for good luck. Everyone who writes has a ritual to optimize their writing performance., but most people aren’t aware of them.

Think about the last time you wrote in that perfect way…and remember the little things you did (environmentally and behaviourally) before you got started. Find your ritual, and stick with it. (Mine is wearing the same bathrobe and starting my day with a happy song I can dance to!) If you’re an author, we’d love to know about your secret rituals. Spill the tea with us here!

TIP 6: Have a clear outcome/goal in mind

So many people begin the writing process without a clear outcome in mind. A golfer, in comparison, knows well in advance how they will play each hole in the next round of the championship tournament. In other words, uncertainty is not in an athlete’s mind when it comes to their approach, nor should it be in a writer’s mind.

How do you measure “good writing?” What is your intention behind writing this book or blog? Who is your audience? These are all questions that clarify your goal. It’s much easier to write successfully when you know where you’re headed. Which is why book proposals can be very useful tools.

Once you have a good grasp of your characters, where the plot is going, and where you eventually would like your protagonist to end up, ask yourself, “What are they going to do now?”

Visualize where they are and where the story left them. Then relax and open your mind to where they will go. The dialogue and structure will begin to weave together.

If your mind starts to drift to another character’s journey, don’t fight it. Write that part immediately. Just believe that it will all come together.

“I often start from both ends and work towards the middle. It all works out. Trust yourself. Trust your characters. Trust what you’ve already written.”

Whenever athletes are interviewed about being in “the zone,” many describe a clear focus on what they wish to achieve. In this state, there is a merging of “action and awareness,” meaning they are unaware of themselves, separate from their actions, and experience a sense of freedom. They’ve reported that their actions feel effortless and “spontaneous.” Which is how writers can get into the “writing zone.”

Athletes and writers that are in “the zone” have clear goals set. As a race progresses, so does the clarity of this moment-to-moment intent. Athletes know exactly what they have to do before the race starts and how they’re going to accomplish it. Writers should follow their lead!

TIP 7: Find a creative environment.

Few people realize the psychological effects of a bad writing environment.

If you tried to get good writing done at a nightclub, imagine your mental state! Your unconscious mind anchors certain mental states to specific environments. So, having a special reserved “creative space” is very helpful.

In other words? Location! Location! Location!

Reserve a spot in your home or at a local favourite coffee shop that is designated for writing and writing ONLY. Do nothing else there. No emailing. No social. No TV. Just writing. It can be a spare bedroom, a small fold-up table in the corner — whatever. As long as it’s vibing for you.

But it has to be RESERVED for writing. After a few days, just entering that space will automatically jumpstart your brain into writing mode. You’ll feel less prone to procrastinate because your mind and body will know it’s time to work. If you take a quick break, LEAVE the space and come back only when you’re ready to write. This is a sacred space!

TIP 8: Get inspired by greatness…and have fun!

Want a shortcut to getting in that hyper-productive state? Go read something written by someone you revere as a writer.

Chances are they were in that “zone” when they wrote it! Your brain will pay attention and feed off the creativity of others.

And don’t forget to have FUN! (Remember what fun feels like?) You write because you enjoy it (hopefully), not because you want to be famous (find another route, honey). A true athlete is not concerned with trophies, fame, money, or endorsements. What brings them into their “in the zone” state is the sheer enjoyment of the sport.

TIP 9: Write at the right time.

Inspiration, creativity, and motivation naturally turn into ebb and flow. Don’t be overambitious and try to transition from filing your taxes (or hanging out on Twitter) directly to working on some creative project. Take a few minutes to just sit and be. Clear your head, and then put your game face (and daydreaming mind) on!

TIP 10: Create your state.

Above all, recognize that being in “the zone” is an emotional state of mind. Your state is yours and yours alone. It is up to you to keep it going. After all, who else would you want to be responsible for you? When you own your state, great writing can happen…and also whenever you want it to.

Once you’ve hit the zone, you’ll find the words almost write themselves. Simply tell your brain to go to that exact same place every day! It won’t happen overnight, but once it does, you’ll be hooked.

TIP 11: Choose your duration.

“I’ve found ways to trick my brain into feeling motivated and staying focused on the project at hand. I guess you could say I’ve found a way to manufacture inspiration, like a mad scientist in a lab (with the goggles and the crazy hair and everything!)” Jessica Brody says.

Set a timer for how long you’d like to write. If you have a limited writing time, set it for 30 minutes or an hour (or however long you want to write). If you just want to go until you can’t go no more, then set it for a few hours, then turn it off when you’re done. And be done for the day!

It’s hard for anyone to focus for long periods when they’re under a stressful situation. Talking about focusing doesn’t manage distractions, but if you narrow your focus to the present moment, it can make all the difference in the world.

Back to athletes: If they want to improve focus, they need to train their minds to focus while competing.

TIP 12: Be in the here and now only.

“The zone” is simply a mental state of total focus in the present moment. Athletes call this being “immersed,” as it indicates you don’t worry about outcomes and are not distracted during a performance. They trust their skills without an ounce of worry, doubt, or fear of the results.

TIP 13: Find the blockage!

According to sports psychology, athletes understand what blocks them from getting into “the zone.”

Fear of failure? Perfectionism? High expectations? Self-doubt or low confidence? Trying too hard? Worry about what others think?

All “the zone” is is a state of being fully absorbed into the present — the here and now only.

Elite athletes learn to stop worrying about the outcome of the competition and let go of what others might think about their performance. When these pros are in “the zone,” the opposite of trying to be perfect somehow makes them perform effortlessly.

When you sit down to write, make it a goal to have fun. After all, as Oscar Wilde once said, “life is too short to be taken seriously,” right? Avoid overthinking or analyzing every. Single. Word. Athletes have learned to stop judging how well they’re doing on every play and just focus on the next one.

Writers: Pick just one method that will help you write in the moment. If you can do this, you are closer to being in “the zone!”

TIP 14: Game on!

Highly performing athletes understand the challenges that await them. They tend to experience “peak performances” and get into “the zone” when they know they’re being challenged — not when they're expecting an easy win or, for that matter, a loss. They thrive when their limits are being stretched.

It’s amazing when you think about it: Athletes train their brains to feel like they can do nothing wrong, almost as though they are invincible. Such a feeling of control frees them from the fear of failure and results in a sense of power, calmness, and confidence.

Writers, take a leaf out of an athlete’s book! If you feel you’re in control of your writing, you too will feel a sense of power, calmness and confidence!

TIP 15: Leave your self-criticism at the door.

When in “the zone,” athletes do not criticize themselves, like they may do when they’re not “feeling it.” Their self-esteem disappears during “zone” experience, as do worries or negativity.

The ability to get into “the zone” at will? That’s what creates champions. Envisioning confidence towards achieving goals is vitally important to athletes…as it is to writers.

Visualization is an excellent tool for success, and not just for athletes! The greater your mindset for achieving your writing dreams, the greater your potential for getting into “the writing zone.”

And recapturing it over and over again.

xo,

Rebecca