Relaxed Writers understand the apparent paradox that investing energy to create a healthy, full life benefits their writing, too. Experience more clarity, contentment and productivity by trying out these 5 success strategies for relaxed writing.
1. Work out and eat well.
Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates to sharpen your mind and boost your mental and physical energy. I know this is a tall order! If complete avoidance doesn't work for you, experiment with using sugar and refined foods sparingly one day, and see if you notice a difference in how you feel.
Add in a regular 20 to 30-minute walk, and enjoy a significant boost in energy and alertness.
2. Shift your state.
Whenever you feel sluggish or stuck, notice what kind of activity you're engaged in, and do the opposite for a predefined period of time. Some examples:
- Physically: Get up from the desk and "take 5." Stretch your neck, shoulders, back and wrists. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Enjoy a crisp cup of water before returning to your desk.
- Mentally: Refocus on an entirely different task: stop writing and answer 10 emails. Shift from researching new markets online to writing a 10-minute freewrite longhand. It helps to separate writing tasks by type: administrative, revision, generating/creating, marketing, etc. I'll be expanding on this point further in an upcoming post.
3. Develop community.
Writing is a solitary act, and it's important to gather a supportive network around you. Let writing colleagues know about your goals; exchange work occasionally. Life coaching can help you build a supportive network, if this is lacking for you.
4. Cultivate gratitude. Express appreciation.
A big factor in relaxed writing is showing up contented. An easy way to cultivate happiness is to build a gratitude list: on a sheet of paper or in your mind, list 5-10 things you're truly grateful for, in this moment.
In addition to writing a daily gratitude list, share your gratitude with others often. Find direct and indirect ways to express your appreciation to others: with a phone call, email or note; or with an offer of assistance or an act of kindness. Practicing gratitude and expressing appreciation are simple, powerful practices that will empower and energize you if you do them regularly.
5. Create a writing space that works well for you.
Look around at your writing desk for a moment. Does this space work for you? Do you have what you need, within reach? Is the lighting good, the furniture comfortable, the scenery (be it a bulletin board or window) pleasing to you?
Over time, work to create a pleasing, comfortable and efficient workspace for yourself. Take small steps, such as putting a new postcard in your notebook or above your desk. Relaxed writers feel great in their writing space, be it at home or at a local cafe.
6. Make fun a priority.
Geez, that sounded serious. What I meant to say was: Laugh! Play! Do something badly, just because you can!
Consciously making space for fun benefits you in many ways.
Time spent goofing off enables you to not take yourself so seriously. A hobby or diversion pursued "just because" takes the pressure off: no need to be good or perfect or excellent. "Fun" also often takes us to places we wouldn't otherwise frequent...an uncommon street; a different kind of neighborhood; a store or landscape that's familiar or foreign; a brand-new mindset. New environments and open relaxed mind states make great ground for relaxed writing.