What to do before writing?

Check out some simple practices you can have before writing that can transform your creative process.

Many things can help you write better and improve your creative process

When we talk about writing, we know the process is different for each person. For many years I tried to identify what practices helped me write better. After writing my first book, Pense Escrita 31 mensagens para ativar o potencial de escrita que existe em você, I noticed some patterns in my process before writing. These simple practices, or rituals (I think it can also be called that), helped me work better, with more focus and concentration.

My rituals before writing

1.Organize your table🗂️ 

Yes! This is a simple example, but it has a superpower. According to the report The Case for Finally Cleaning Your Desk, published on Harvard Business Review, messy spaces impact our cognition, emotions and behavior. In addition, these points also affect our decision-making power and relationships with other people. 

Another important point in this report is about the impact of disorganization. According to studies mentioned in this text of HBR, people who have many things to do (who are usually overwhelmed) have more chances to procrastinate.

So, cleaning your desk and office also helps organize our thoughts. In my case, I prefer to organize my office at the end of each workday. Then, the next time I use this space it will be easy to find all the materials I need. To organize the space one day before can be great, especially those weeks with many meetings and tasks. You didn’t waste time doing this and it facilitated your creative process before writing.

2.Use the timer on your mobile phone📲⏰

Mobile phones are a big distraction, especially if you work with social media.

For some months, I have been using this tool as a good strategy before writing: the timer on my cell phone.

Thirty minutes to complete a task, after that I add more time to write some content and I follow this pattern all day, breaking my time into little production blocks. For me, it was the best thing because I try to concentrate more on each task. 

Do you know stories about opening and closing one door at a time? So, basically, you start and finish one task before moving on to the next. 

Using my mobile phone with a timer or, also, putting it in silence mode helps me have time for me and my creative process. It’s so nice and if you have never experienced it before, I suggest that you try it.

3.Have a break for meditation🧘🏽‍♀️

Among all the things to make before writing, meditation is amazing.

One very important thing to understand here is that you don't have to spend two hours meditating. Of course, if you have time for this practice and you want it, great! Let’s go! But five or ten minutes also help you calm down and organize your thoughts.

When we meditate before writing, we prepare for it. We prepare ourselves for intentional writing. In this moment, only close your eyes, relax your breathing and mentalize good things and things you want to accomplish. In the beginning, this process can be challenging, because all the time we are stimulated by notifications, information and many other things. But when practicing every day, we will improve this process, and we feel more comfortable with the idea.

If you don’t believe in the benefit of meditation, check this information out:

According to the report Benefícios da meditação para ansiedade, published on Unimed Belo Horizonte, meditation is great for:

• reducing stress

• improving concentration

• increasing self-awareness

• promoting a feeling of calm and well-being

Today, before writing, I always meditate. For me, five minutes is enough to calm my breathing, organize my mind and help me in my creative process.

⚠️Obviously, this practice helps me before writing because it works in my routine. You can try some of that or try all the actions on the list; the important thing is to find the best way for your creative writing process development.

And, after you do, share it with us. I would like so much to know what your rituals are before writing.

Until the next content!👋🏽