In part one of Focus on Writing, we discussed finding time and the importance of scheduling.  In part two of Focus on Writing, we gander at ways to obliterate distractions.

Just as some people are able to sleep through a tornado; others have no qualms with working through noise.  For the rest of us, peace and quiet can mean the difference between completing an assignment or not.

As you take a week to note various issues in your time management, make note of distractions that stop you from finishing the masterpiece you’ve devoted time towards. As obliterating distractions carries on, we will look at some of the common distractions easily found inside the home.

• Phone
• Internet
• Family and Friends
• External Noise
• and Children

Alexander Graham Bell was a wise man when the telephone became a reality.  As a means of communication across the world – and with editors – the telephone is a necessity for your freelance writing business.  The phone becomes an issue, however, when it is used as a procrastination tool.  A short conversation can turn into hours, especially if you have family like mine!

The rules I have for the phone during my “working” hours are:

1. Answer every call that I don’t recognize.
2. Unless the call is from an editor, potential client or an emergency I explain that I am working and ask if there is a good time I can call back.
3. When the call coming through is from family or friends, they have the understanding to call back a second time if it is an emergency, otherwise leave a message and I’ll call back once I’m finished with my tasks at hand.

When the Internet becomes your enemy (you’ve found every application game on Facebook and must respond to every Plurk or Tweet and can’t seem to break the addiction) using those networks as a reward changes the dynamic into a positive reinforcement. It takes time to adjust the Internet from a negative influence in your life into a positive one. Stick with it and if necessary, take the opportunity to disconnect, literally, from the modem. Once you’ve completed one part or one article, connecting yourself back to the ‘net to play becomes exciting and acceptable.

I love my family and friends.  They are important in my life as a support network.  In the early days of working from home, my doorbell would ring and I jumped to see who it was.  Many hours of my day were lost with coffee and conversation.  Don’t get me wrong, there were definitely times when I needed those days, but generally, I would end up working until the wee hours of the morning to play catch-up.  I learned that this was one of the most difficult distractions to overcome. I broke down and talked to my friends and family. I asked that they call before visiting and as I explained why, they most often obliged.

Should you not be fortunate enough to sound proof your home from external noise, combat the distracting noises with a purposeful noise. Playing a radio or CD can help keep you focus on the writing task at hand. If you can’t tolerate rock or country music, a music selection in those genres will prove counter productive, however, if you find classical music invigorating and inspirational, increasing your selection of Bach, Tchaikovsky or Mozart is wise.

Children are blessing like no other, however quite the distraction on a good day, let alone one filled with more challenges.  I learned during the time I spent as a single Mom that I had to rely on my network for help.  Arranging for a friend or family member to take my son out to lunch saved my sanity.  While I didn’t expect to receive such a warm welcome, working from home and all, I was quite pleased with the end result.  Sometimes people who cause the greatest distractions in our world can become the biggest asset, especially where parenting is concerned.

Now that we’ve found the time we need and have removed those pesky distractions, it’s time to Create Ideas – and write.  Stay tuned for part three of Focus on Writing.