Here’s a little hack I use to get more done—especially when it comes to writing or finishing a project:
Shift your attention away from the clock and fully into what you’re doing.
When you're not thinking about how long something is taking, or feeling pressure about the time, you’ll often move faster—and more effortlessly—than you expected.
Have you ever had one of those moments where time seemed to disappear… and everything just flowed?
3 people like this
That's a great hack, Kat Spencer! I use it. Sometimes I'll be writing a script and don't realize how much time has gone by. It's tough writing when I'm thinking about the time.
2 people like this
Maurice Vaughan I use this trick in the car too. I never look at a clock in the car, and I always get where I'm going on time, even if I leave late! haha
3 people like this
It's been times when I'm writing it seems like the time has flown by or I've spent hours working on one scene. While not looking or trying not to look at that old clock, time seems to torment us sometimes.
3 people like this
Kat Spencer, I am lucky with creative synesthesia and ADHD with hyperfocus. Getting me to stop is the trick, not getting started or keeping myself going.
3 people like this
Thanks Elmare Hendricks! I love living in flow state :)
3 people like this
Kelvin Thornton Only if we let it ;) When I meditate, the 15 minutes feel way longer, but not in a bad way. It reminds me that when we pay attention, the moments matter. The clock does not.
3 people like this
Wyman Brent What kind of boundaries do you set for stopping?
3 people like this
Kat Spencer, my boundaries for stopping is spending time with my son. I can always make time for him. Other than that, I keep going until my brain finally fogs up. I only really started writing songs in April and now have written more than 250. I have also developed four TV series, four films and one stage musical in that time. My brain just keeps rolling along. Maybe one day I will catch up with it.
4 people like this
I agree with you I set daily goal, for example, today I will finish Act One. I don't limit my time, because if I don't respect the timing, I'll get very stressed.
2 people like this
Kat Spencer, my flow state involves lots of coffee.
3 people like this
Kat Spencer, I can agree with that. Meditating can definitely help put you in a zone, that's a good zone and not the twilight zone. ;)
3 people like this
Wyman Brent Wow!! That's like my fingers on a keyboard. They go faster than my brain sometimes haha. Very impressive! And so wonderful that your boy is TOP priority :)
4 people like this
Kelvin Thornton haha, my life is the twilight zone
4 people like this
Kat Spencer, my son is always top priority. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. I keep pouring out new songs and story ideas while giving myself coffee infusions. I am currently working on a road trip film with a twist.
4 people like this
This is such a great reminder, Kat Spencer. Some of my best writing sessions have happened when I gave myself permission to not check the clock and just got lost in the scene. That flow state is magic, and it often shows up when we stop obsessing over productivity and start trusting the process. Thanks for this!
3 people like this
Sometimes, the pressure doesn't come from the clock, it comes from within! When I get too in my head about writing, I have a few tricks that I rely on: 1) Take a walk and voice memo my ideas. When you feel up against a wall of writers block, sometimes transcribing once back in the chair can help get the juices flowing! 2) Morning Pages - I recently did The Artist's Way with a few friends, and have found the Morning Pages to be super helpful! When I'm blocked, it's often not about what I'm actually writing - it's a little voice in my head whispering unhelpful and unproductive nothings into my ear. Sitting down with a pen and a dedicated journal that no one (not even yourself!) will read again is a good way to exorcise those thoughts. I have many pages of just "I don't want to write" or "this is a stupid idea" etc. Once those thoughts are out of the way and locked up in some analogue pages, things sometimes feel a little clearer! And finally, when I really want to keep moving on the page but am not sure what to say in certain places, I'll type filler "dialogue dialogue dialogue" or "character does something meaningful here" to prevent myself from overthinking too much in the moment.
3 people like this
Good reminder, thanks Kat Spencer .
2 people like this
I lose track of the time while writing all the time, so I've started using a standing desk for writing because it's slightly uncomfortable and makes me less likely to procrastinate and start looking things up, then falling down a wikipedia rabbit hole haha
1 person likes this
Absolutely Ashley Renee Smith! It's amazing what kind of magic happens when we "let go."