As a writer who occasionally writes for a living, I’m always looking for ways to improve my prose. Recently, I started utilizing a strategy that increased my productivity by nearly double the amount of words written in a day. Immediately, this method improved how well I retain new information and gave me an extra boost of creativity when writing.
First, let’s look at the science behind why this works so well… Brain scans have shown that when we write about our thoughts and feelings (this is called “expressive writing”), we’re actually processing them more effectively than just thinking about them silently. This is because the physical act of writing down our thoughts forces us to take a step back and look at them more objectively.
In addition, research has shown that people who write regularly have better focus and are more creative. The reason for this is twofold: First, when we write something down, it helps us to remember it better. Second, the process of brainstorming and organizing our thoughts before putting them into words helps us to come up with new ideas more easily.
So how can you start incorporating this into your own life? Here are a few tips:
1) Start Keeping a Journal
Find a journal or notebook that you love and will want to use every day. Something that’s aesthetically pleasing and inspiring will help you to stick with it. By keeping a journal, you’ll have a place to document your thoughts, feelings, and ideas. This can also help you to track your progress over time.
2) Set Aside Time Every Day to Write
Even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes, try to set aside some time every day to write. This could be about anything – what you did that day, your thoughts on a current event, what you’re working on creatively, or just stream-of-consciousness writing. The important thing is to make it a habit and to stick with it.
3) Use Prompts if Needed
If you find yourself struggling to get started, try using prompts to jumpstart your writing. There are prompts online (or you could come up with your own), and you can use them as needed.
4) Discuss Your Writing With Others
Talking about our ideas forces us to think about them more critically, and it helps us determine if we’re taking the right steps to accomplish our goals. It also makes the writing process more fun! If you find yourself stuck on a certain part of what you’re working on, call a friend or family member and talk about it together. You’ll be surprised by how much easier it is to come up with new ideas when you bounce them off another person.
5) Find a Writing Buddy
Similar to the previous point, finding someone who also wants to improve their writing skills can be incredibly helpful. By working together and discussing our writing, we can offer each other feedback and support. Plus, it’s always more fun to write when you have someone to do it with!
6) Read Content Related to the Type of Writing You’re Working On
Because reading is a form of writing as well, it can help us expand upon our ideas and improve our prose. Try out one of those prompts from earlier while you read an article or listen to a podcast. You’ll be surprised by how much easier it becomes to write about your thoughts and feelings after seeing or hearing them discussed in another medium.
7) Celebrate Your Victories
When you finish a piece of writing that you’re proud of, take the time to celebrate! Give yourself a pat on the back, treat yourself to your favorite dessert, or post about it on social media. This will help keep you motivated and inspired to continue writing.
So there you have it – seven ways to help improve your writing skills and increase your focus and creativity. By incorporating some or all of these tips into your daily routine, you’ll become a more effective communicator and have an easier time generating new ideas!
In conclusion, incorporating regular writing into your life can have a lot of benefits – from improving focus and creativity, to helping you process your thoughts and feelings more effectively. It’s a great way to boost your productivity and can be a lot of fun too! So what are you waiting for? Start ghostwriting today!
