Are you having trouble focusing when you need to write or study? Do you find that you become distracted easily? There are so many factors that can keep us from getting our work done. With everyone going back to school and or working from home, I wanted to share some tips that have helped me. Whether it’s choosing the right environment to study or having what you need to get started, here are 7 tips to improve your writing and studying productivity.
1) Choose a Comfortable Space You may already have designated area for writing and studying and that’s perfect! For those who don’t or like to change up their environment, choose a comfortable and clean space to get situated. The less you need to worry about clutter or any other distractions, the better! Before Covid, I enjoyed studying in libraries and coffee shops. I preferred working in spaces with some background noise and of course, unlimited coffee! I found that changing up my workspace helped greatly with productivity.
2) Stay Hydrated Writing and studying takes a lot of brain power, which is why it’s important to stay hydrated. Pour yourself a glass of water or make yourself some coffee or tea beforehand. This will prevent you from having to get up for a drink when you’re in the zone.
3) Be Prepared Gather items such as your charger(s), pens, notebooks, and other important papers you require before you sit down. This minimizes the need to get up and look for things midway into your work. Getting up too often can interfere with your process.
4) Music As mentioned before, I like working with a bit of background noise. If I’m working in a quieter space, I opt for instrumentals and jazz. I’ve found some of my favorite playlists on YouTube. My favorite channels that I highly recommend include Coffee Shop Vibes, Calmed by Nature, and Cafe Music BGM.
5) Limit Distractions For many of us, our phones are our biggest distractions. If you don’t require it for work, try keeping your phone in a drawer, in another room, or in your bag if you’re studying at school or a coffee shop. It takes one notification for us to unintentionally start scrolling to disturb our focus.
6) Use a Notebook There are many ideas that can pop up while we work. Use a notebook or a mini whiteboard to jot down ideas as you go. That way you’re able to keep track of points to include in your work along with other things that may come to mind while you’re working.
7) Take a Break Sometimes we can experience a block. If the ideas aren’t flowing or you’re finding it hard to focus, allow yourself to get up and take a break. Getting some fresh air and moving your body can help greatly. Spending 15 minutes clearing your head is more productive than sitting at your desk trying to force it.
These tips have helped me greatly with staying on schedule with my blog posts. I hope you’ve found them helpful. What are some things that help you when you’re writing or studying? Have you heard of these YouTube channels before? I’d love to hear your thoughts! For more posts relating to productivity, visit my tag here.
So helpful! Thank you. I also have to help my kids get through high school.
I’m happy this was helpful! Thanks for reading Michelle!
Music helps me. Yes, limit distractions. I feel like I don’t have time to blog as well as I would like, thanks for sharing this post!
Music is so helpful! Thanks for reading Michelle!
Oh god, I go in waves of productivity so when Im in the mood, I ride it all the way haha! I like putting music in the background or podcasts! Thanks for sharing x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thanks for reading Lynn!
You have NO IDEA how much I love finding YouTube channels that do ambience sounds and background music. I haven’t come across the three you linked yet so I will be definitely be checking them out next time I’m doing some work and need some background noise 🙂
I hope you love the channels! Thanks for reading Kate!
I find it hard to focus sometimes, which means these seven tips will be useful for me.
I prefer to switch up my space and like some background noises as well. Hydration is a good tip, as that is one I really struggle with at the moment. To stay focused, I try to put my phone out of my line of vision but might start putting it in another room completely. I love having a notebook on hand, but sometimes my scribbles make no sense when I return to them. 😂
I completely agree with taking a break when you need it. The tips are useful; thank you for sharing. 😊
Haha I can relate to having notes that don’t make sense later on, but at least we’re taking them! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Thank you for this helpful and insightful article on writing and being productive. Excellent tips.
I’m happy it was insightful! Thank you for reading Tamyara!
I blog for work and for fun – totally agree with all your points above. I love listening to the coffee shop sounds when I’m trying to get some writing done, it calms down any excess anxiety that I might be feeling.
One of the major things that I noticed about my writing routines is that I don’t have a set area to work in. I have a home office that I spend a fair amount of time in but sometimes I feel that working elsewhere actually helps me focus even more. I love to lay on the ground and write, find the sunny patch on the floor like my cats or head out to a cafe to get my thoughts out.
Whenever I’m looking for a space to work, I always try to find a sunny spot as well! Thank you for sharing Gem!
Great tips. I quite often get distracted!
Thanks for reading Nikki!
These are brilliant tips! Personally, I always keep my phone in a separate room when I’m working to remove the temptation to check it. I also have a “creative work” playlist so my brain knows when that comes on we’re sitting down and focusing! x
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
Our phones are so distracting! I’ve found that listening to similar music when studying reminds my brain to focus as well! Thanks for reading Mia!
Love these tips! I’m awful for procrastinating lol so I find music and having a to do list helps me focus, especially when I do a few little tasks then a big one and back to little ones. And staying hydrated is so important! I always keep my bottle of water next to me when writing or sitting at the mac.
A to-do list is so helpful! It helps identify what needs to be done, otherwise it’s super easy to procrastinate. Thank you for reading Jordanne!
These are some great ideas! I currently have a lofi playlist going on the background as I work. For both blogging and college work, I try not to have songs with lyrics and it usually helps me stay productive. Thanks for sharing! x
Same! Listening to music with lyrics is such a distraction because I’m tempted to sing along haha. Thank you for reading Alexis!
Thank you for these tips. I love a tidy workspace and a to-do list. I think it’s a mindset thing.
I must get better at drinking enough water and taking regular breaks xx
I definitely agree with the mindset thing! Thank you for reading!
Taking notes has been invaluable when I’m trying to write and having a to-do list at hand is helpful. I need to incorporate some stretches in my breaks so I give my brain and body a little boost. I really appreciate your tips — very helpful!
I agree. Writing things down tends to help a lot. Thanks for reading Molly!
Fab tips! I always make sure to have a water bottle with me with all of my supplies, and I really need to get into the habit of leaving my phone alone – it can be so distracting! Thanks for sharing x
I agree, leaving our phones is the hardest part! Thank you for reading!
I find that keeping all my pens, notebooks, and writing supplies in on place, as well as coming to my desk with water on hand, I stay more focused since I do not have to get up often. Love that you find that beneficial too!
Thanks for sharing!
Keeping things in one place is super helpful! Thanks for reading Jaya!
I just recently started working from home and studying distance learning from home so thought I would give this a post a read for any tips! I don’t yet have a working space set up due to my desk order going awol but I’m so looking forward to having a designated space where I can get in the zone. Getting up for a drink has definitely killed my concentration a few times so I can’t wait to have a desk I can plonk my flavoured water on.
Thanks for reading Amy! I hope you can get your workspace set up soon!
I like this tips! Especially no2, 6 & 7. Thank you for sharing this good post.
I’m glad you liked those tips! Thanks for reading Fadima!
These are fantastic tips tbh. As a student and writer, I need all the productivity tips I can get and these are amazing. Staying hydrated is a great one for me as I drink water often and it helps so much. Also, the idea of having a notebook is fantastic. Notebooks are such a life saver. I carry notebooks around with me as much as I can and it helps a ton. Thank you for sharing! x
I’m glad you found this helpful! Thanks for reading Ruth!
this is one of the most important tips that people need to know more, i know these tips and i follow it all of them, especially the notebook part it makes it way easier to just o check after finishing a task, amazing feeling and satisfying. so thank you for sharing the amazing blog!
Thank you Farah! Having a notebook helps so much!
I can’t work without music too. I do instrumental jazz piano and indie. And yes to phone, the biggest one. Keeping it away and in the drawer I think so too. Sometimes I do it other times I fail. Thanks for a relatable post. Xx
Isa A. Blogger
https://www.lifestyleprism.com/
Thanks for reading Isa!