NicoleToday, I’m going to show you how to resist the urge to check emails during writing – or first thing in the morning.
Recently, a writer in my 90-day Writing Accelerator program asked me a great question. She was struggling with a habit many of us share: checking her emails first thing in the morning or during writing sessions.
Here’s what she said: “Logically, I know I’m not that important, and emails can wait, but the habit is stronger than the logic!”
By resisting the urge to check email you learn important skills every writer needs: setting boundaries, keeping focus, and making writing a priority.
The problem is that many writers don’t spend time on creating these non-distraction habits, but that means their writing is delayed again and again.
So, here’s your action plan to stop reading emails before or during writing.
1. Quick morning fix
Start by setting a 5-minute timer to briefly look at emails in the morning, but only to flag important ones. No replying allowed. This lets you satisfy the urge without getting pulled into unnecessary tasks.
2. Time box emails
Schedule your email time for a specific time. Try 12:00, just before lunch, and promise yourself to wait until then. If that’s too hard, push it back 1 hour later than your usual time (e.g. to 9am if you usually check emails at 8am); then 2 hours, 3 hours, until you build that resistance over time.
3. Signal your boundaries
Add a signature to your email saying you check messages at 12:00 and 4:00 PM (or whatever time you pick). This manages others’ expectations but also reminds *you* that you’re not always available.
4. Take recovery breaks
Sometimes you go on email because your brain is exhausted from ‘thinking’. Schedule recovery breaks ever 25 or 45minutes and step away from the desk. Then you find your focus again.
5. Switch locations
By changing locations, you tell your brain it’s “email” vs. “writing” time. Do emails only at the kitchen table, and writing only at your desk (or whatever suits you).
I recommend that you keep a log to note:
• What worked?
• What didn’t work?
• What resistance thoughts came up (”I’m a bad person if I don’t answer right away”)?
• What will you do differently next time?
If you want to dive deeper into building a writing habit, my 7-Day Write Habit Booster is a quick and easy way to start. With 7 trainings, you learn a my step-by-step system that has helped 100s of writers get unstuck, find flow, and beat distractions. And as a special bonus, you get to join our live round in November 2024 for free.
