We’ve all been here haven’t we, you know what you need to do, and you want to get it done, but you just can’t get in the zone. That fantastical bubble that cuts out all the distractions, and you focus in and bam, things start rolling. I have a few emergency tactics for these days, when I can’t draw/write/think so I thought I’d share...
1. Do five minutes of something. That’s all, just two sentences or a half sketch. Then go and make a drink. When you come back you won’t have a blank page.
2. Music. Hmm this is tricky. I’m very fickle, some days radio, others an audiobook, youtube playlists, but usually it works better if I’ve heard it before... Sometimes I have it on to drown out any other noises that distract me. The key thing is that it’s long... Audiobooks are the best for this because they don’t stop, and then neither do you.
3. Still no good huh, ok put your laptop in the other room, and your phone. Ban yourself for a few hours, and see what happens.
4. Favourite food. Eat, write, eat, draw, eat, write. Treats got me through my mammoth dissertation a million years ago. This helps if you need to work late as it keeps you going.
5. Out of hours. I do my best work and problem solving when I’m not at my desk, or if it’s a weekend and I shouldn’t be there. It’s annoying but I know you have to go with it. I wish I could build myself a train office as something about the motion focuses me.
I’m curious as to anything else that helps get you settled (aside of course from good old-fashioned DEADLINE PANIC).