Do you bounce from one creative idea to the next?

If you answered yes to this question, and even if you didn’t, I have some tips on how to stay focused on one project to see it through.

As creatives, the ideas are constantly flowing—ideas for stories, connecting with our audiences, ways to market our work, etc.

Most of the time, we are not suffering for ideas.

What do we do with all those ideas so they don’t run us off track from our writing and business goals?

Today, I have five ways to help you stay focused on getting your writing done while honoring your ideas.

1. Make an Ideas Folder
2. Make a List
3. Use a Planner
4. Get an Accountability Buddy or Join a Writers Group
5. Eliminate Distractions
6. *Bonus

Tip # 1: Make an Ideas folder.

We all want to be good stewards of the ideas we are given. Starting an ideas folder will provide a place to store your ideas so they don’t get lost. It will also get them out of your head so you can focus on what matters when you have the idea. 

A good way to do this is with a Google Doc. With this document, you can set up tabs for each category you might have an idea for. You will want to keep all your writing ideas in the software you use for your writing. 

This file is going to be for other things like your family, vacations, home projects, business, email, marketing, social media, etc.

Organize your tabs by subject matter so they are easy to find and quick to get out of your head and back to work.

When putting your ideas into this file, remember that you are putting the idea there for safekeeping to return to later so you can keep working. It isn’t going there to be thrown in the trash. With this new system, you are becoming more organized and putting your ideas in a safe place.

Tip # 2 – Make a List

The point of making a list is to write down everything you need to be focused on. If only one thing is on that list, it is okay. Review it once you’ve made the list of all the things you need to focus on. Is there anything that could wait until other projects are completed? If so, mark it off and add it to your list for later. If everything on the list has to be done, start prioritizing things. 

You also need to ask yourself the hard question: does this project get me closer to this goal? If it doesn’t, delete it or add it to the “for later” list.

Next, add a due date to the things with a deadline. If nothing is due to other people, add a deadline for yourself and stick to it. Deadlines help us stay on track.

Tip # 3 – Use a Planner

You just got done making your list. Using a planner will help you break down the projects you need to be focused on. Breaking your projects into smaller pieces and scheduling them on certain days will keep the project in your mind. It is also a great way to track how much you have accomplished.

Tip # 4 –  Get an Accountability Buddy or Join a Writers Group

When I first started writing, it was very hush. I didn’t tell anyone I was writing a book besides my husband. When I got the terrible review, I had no one to turn to for support who understood the devastation the review caused. If I had a writing group, I could have leaned on them for support. I would have also kept writing and improved my craft a lot faster.

Every writer needs a group of people to talk to about their writing, bounce ideas off of, and lean on when the world is mean. You can join several groups on Facebook if you don’t already have some people you call writing besties.

Tip # 5 – Eliminate Distractions

Ideas are great, but they distract us from getting words on the page, meeting deadlines, and marketing our work. Sometimes, we have to treat ourselves like the children that we are.

Do whatever you have to to stay focused on your writing. However, don’t neglect your responsibilities as a wife and mom; you are putting your writing in a new perspective.

It is important to you. Making it important to your family in a loving way.

Bonus Tip – Take Care of Yourself

When you are tired, lack nutrition, and haven’t exercised, your brain has difficulty focusing on any task. These things will impact the quality of your writing, how fast words get on the page, and how much you have to rewrite.

Set two hard, non-negotiable deadlines. The first one is when you will get up in the morning. It doesn’t matter what time you pick; it is personal to each of you. Determine to get up every morning at that exact time, no matter what. The other is a bedtime. 

Bedtime is not only beneficial to your children, but it is also beneficial to you. Going to bed at the same time every day builds expectations with your brain to start shutting down so you can sleep. 

When you set these two deadlines and stick with them, your body will feel better, your brain will be more alert, and you will get more writing done. Another benefit to getting the sleep you need is that you will be a better parent because you won’t be as tired.

These six tips will help you stop chasing after all the random ideas you come up with that keep derailing your writing progress. They will also give you even more creative space to write your stories and meet your deadlines. 

Action steps for today: make your ideas folder, decide what your priorities are right now, break those projects down into smaller pieces, join a writer’s group, and identify what causes your distractions while you work and devise a plan to eliminate them.

Until next time. Happy Writing.