How to Pay Attention and Get Things Done

Jay Darkmoore

In my career, I have written and published over one million words, in the form of novels, short stories, flash fiction, novellas and collections. My writing has spanned the genres of horror, dystopia, dark fantasy and crime thriller. Needless to say, I have learned that being able to focus and to get into the flow state is extremely important so I can truly get lost in my work.  

Whether that’s writing 100,000 words for a novel, or a blog post, or even a script for a video, it is paramount that you can get in the zone and focus on a single task for extended periods of time. (Don’t give me the BS that you have ADHD and can’t focus. I bet you can spend hours playing on the Xbox and not think twice about it).  

Whether you’re a writer, like me, or you’re working on a painting, a sculpture, a computer program or even schoolwork, being able to focus your attention is a game changer, and will send not only the quality of your work through the roof, but also your productivity and output. Basically, if you are not focusing, then you are playing the game on hard mode and you keep pausing your progress.

Below are a few of my own methods and equipment that I use to get into flow, focus, and get things done:

Smart Phone Time Out.

The first is often the most difficult, and that is the simple task of putting your phone away and out of sight. I know right? Does that thought fill you with dread? Anxiety? That you’re going to miss out? Well, put it this way – If you are constantly on social media for fear of missing out,, and not working on your projects, then you are guaranteeing that you are going to miss out.

Currently, as I am writing this, I have my phone turned on DO NOT DISTURB (with only emergency contact able to get through to contact me), and I have it inside the drawer in my desk, to remove all temptation completely.

Give yourself permission to unplug for half an hour and get to work.

Noise Cancelling Headphones.

These have been an absolute game changer for me. Before, I was either using no headphones, and I was at the mercy of all the noises and sounds that may filter into my world, or I was using normal headphones, which meant I could basically still hear everything around me, be it the doorbell, traffic, or the dog whining because the neighbour’s cat has walked past the window.

Distractions were everywhere, but these amazing headphones have allowed me to shut the world out and be able to get lost in my own world for just a little while. The best part is that you can pick up a pair from Amazon for the price of a take-out.

Using the ‘Right’ Kind of Noise.

As well as the noise cancelling headphones, I have another step to shutting the world out, which sounds very counterproductive. Noise. But in particular, White Noise. Static. Emptiness, playing in your ears. A form of loud silence.

Now this is just me. Some people like music. Some like a melody of some kind, but I prefer white noise. After a while, you don’t hear it. There are no breaks. No change in tempo designed to get your heart rate going or to pull your attention towards it. White noise is simply that. Nothing. And when you’re trying to focus and remove distractions, then nothing is exactly what you want.

A To-Do List.

I love a To-Do list. I love a list that I write out before my writing or creation sitting, and I love crossing my tasks off one by one. That way, not only does it feel great to see how much you have gotten done, but you also have tangible evidence that your time focusing and working on the project is moving forward.

Regular Breaks.

Now I am not superhuman. I love scrolling through Instagram mindlessly as much as the next person, so when I am on a focus session, I set twenty minute timers, and I work through that timer and then give myself a five minute break where I get up from the desk, make a coffee, check my phone, and then when the next twenty minutes kicks in, I put the phone back into jail, and get back to it.

Now, some of you may want less than twenty minutes, some may want more. Sometimes the time goes off and I am in such a deep flow state that I want to stay there for as long as possible. It is a magical place that I feel so happy in, and I don’t want to pull myself away from. So, the timer is optional. I find it helps with focus, but each to their own. Just be careful that that five-minute break doesn’t become a ten or fifteen minutes, and you find yourself doom scrolling instead of doing the work.

Time Away from the Desk

Running

This is vitally important. What do you do to relax when you’re not at the desk and working? How do you unwind?

Time away from the desk is just as important as time at the desk. I like to go for a run, to the gym and go walking. It clears my mind, and then when I sit back down to my latest project, it means that I have a clear head and I am able to get cracking back on with it.

Habit Creation

The best way to get into flow and focus, is to do it often. Do you like working in the mornings or in the evenings? Just thirty minutes a day that are spent focusing and building and creating something that you love, rather than staring at the TV or at social media.

Focus is like a habit. The more you do it, the better you get at doing it. The better you get at doing it, the more productive and happy you will be that your project is moving along.

It’s that simple.

So, go. Focus, and craft your own heaven.

Jay Darkmoore is an independently published author of gritty crime fiction and horror. His ‘Detective Laura Warburton,’ crime series has hit the Amazon best seller list, and he has a background in crime and investigation to give his book a real and authentic feel.

He lives in the North-West of England with his partner Laura, his son Joe and his springer spaniel Miles, who is his biggest distraction.

You can follow Jay Darkmoore on social media @Jay_Darkmoore_Author, and can join his newsletter for free by clicking here.