In addition to being a mom, managing every element of my household and maintaining a blog, I also work as a freelance writer in the B2B world. Unlike my fun blog, the writing I do for my clients is boring. BO-RING!
But it pays the bills.
Because I have some mad skills at getting things done, I thought I’d share with you my step by step approach for tackling a boring writing assignment:
- Sit down at computer. Open blank document. Title it. Save it.
- Think. Think. Think.
- Check email… then Facebook… then Twitter… then Pinterest.
- Realize you’re getting sidetracked and close all four aforementioned windows.
- Go back to document at hand. Think. Think. Think.
- Get up. Make a cup of coffee.
- With coffee in hand, sit back down. Get comfortable.
- Focus your attention back to the document at hand. Think. Think. Think.
- Get up and get a snack.
- With snack in hand, sit back down. Get comfortable.
- Focus your attention once again back on the document at hand. Think. Think. Think.
- Write something. Hate it. Delete. Write something else. Hate it. Delete it.
- Check email one last time…. then Facebook… then Twitter… then Pinterest.
- Once again, closed four aforementioned windows.
- Go back to document at hand. Think. Think. Think.
- Decide it’s too quiet to think. Open iTunes. Search for music in library that will get the creative juices flowing without distracting.
- Go back to document at hand. Think. Think. Think.
- Close document. Decide you will come back to it another time when you’re feeling more focused.
The end (for now)…
You’re welcome.
WOW! That was really unhelpful! I always think that working from home as a freelancer would be awesome, as long as the work fell into my lap. However, it is always good to hear the other side of the coin.
Somehow, I am sure you get your work done faster than you think. I can sooooo relate to being distracted by FB, pinterest, etc while trying to work. I get that through and through!
Ha ha, yes sometimes I can be super unhelpful. Working from home is great, usually. But sometimes I have to go to Panera or Barnes & Noble to work. SOmehow, I’m more motivated when I’m not at home.
Ha. Sounds like my formula. Always worked for me, but I also need some chocolate to help with the think, think, think process.
Ha ha, yes, Sue. Chocolate, yes. Or if it’s evening-ish, wine may help as well.
Oh my gosh, Steph, this is me when I can’t think of anything to write for Her View From Home. Except instead of coffee, it’s copious amounts of chocolate followed by something salty.
Phew, it’s not just me. Chocolate with something salty? Yum!
Have you been looking over my shoulder again. I have an additional step that can be substituted before or after any of you tired and true unhelpful hints:
-Pray for grandsons to come barging in, with choruses of giggles, screams and taunts.
-When prayers are answered, offer to make ice cream cones, or invite them to help you walk the dog.
When dust settles and they have gone home return to tried and true methodology. “Think” is unlikely at this point, but you will be smiling
That’s why I do most of my hard core stuff when the kids are not home!