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Jo VanEvery

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Focus

Image of dictionary page with definition of "focus" in focus

One of the things you struggle with when establishing a writing practice is focus. You might frame this struggle in terms of distraction or procrastination. You might think of it terms of willpower. You may have a story about what you need in order to focus that is at odds with what is possible in your current circumstances.

Everyone struggles with focus at least some of the time. There is nothing wrong with you. You might need to experiment a bit to figure what strategies help you.

Start here: Optimizing Focus: 3 elements to consider

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Protecting time for writing: Interruptions

Posted on September 24, 2019 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Protecting time for writing: Interruptions I encourage you to make writing a priority and block time so that writing becomes a regular practice, rather than something you only do when you have specific deadlines. Although I recognise that different people will work better in different places, I strongly advocate […]

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A person holds a silver dictaphone with the seconds visible on screen indicating 01 seconds have passed. the background is blurred

Dictation and Focus

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Jo VanEvery

In Focus: 3 elements to consider, I outlined three elements that affect your focus during a writing session: the task itself, how you are feeling, and the context. I have written a series of follow up articles going into more detail about what that framework looks like in practice. I use the term “optimize” purposefully. […]

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A pair of glasses is upturned on an open book

Writing and Focus in Grading Season

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Jo VanEvery

 In Focus: 3 elements to consider, I outlined three elements that affect your focus during a writing session: the task itself, how you are feeling, and the context. I have written a series of follow up articles going into more detail about what that framework looks like in practice. I use the term “optimize” […]

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A waterlily flower just about to open amongst a reflective pond of waterlily leaves

Meditation as practice & metaphor for focus

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Jo VanEvery

This post is part of a series on Optimizing Focus. Finding it hard to focus is normal. Self-flagellation does not work to improve your focus. Furthermore it takes time and energy that takes you away from your writing; it is another distraction. I firmly believe that you can approach your work compassionately rather than violently. […]

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A person checks their phone while sitting at a desk with a laptop in front of them.

The work you wish you didn’t have to do

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · The work you wish you didn’t have to do Something that a couple of members shared at the end of A Meeting With Your Writing session reminded me of an important point. Sometimes the reason you think you’ve not accomplished much (in your writing, or in your work in […]

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A laptop is sat in a raised stand above a desk to raise it to standing height surrounded by a variety of potted houseplants by an open window with light streaming in.

Optimizing Focus: Select the task you most want to work on

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Jo VanEvery

In Optimizing Focus: 3 elements to consider, I outlined three elements that affect your focus during a writing session: the task itself, how you are feeling, and the context. I have written a series of follow up articles going into more detail about what that framework looks like in practice. I use the term “optimize” […]

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A woman with red nails and a coral pink top holds her phone in her hands ready to turn it on while sat at a black desk with an analog alarm clock sitting in the background

The impact of time available on your focus

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Jo VanEvery 2 Comments

In Focus: 3 elements to consider, I outlined three elements that affect your focus during a writing session: the task itself, how you are feeling, and the context. This article is updated from one published 21 April 2014 to connect it more clearly to that framework. I use the term “optimize” purposefully. Your goal is […]

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Image of dictionary page with definition of "focus" in focus

Optimizing Focus: 3 elements to consider

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Optimizing Focus: 3 Elements to Consider Everyone struggles with focus. This is why I prompt participants in A Meeting With Your Writing to think about what they’d like to try that day to optimize their focus. In this rather long post, I set out the fundamental principles that underpin […]

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A lush green meadow of wildflowers and daisies is blurred in the background with a hand holding a magnifying glass up to focus on one flower

Optimizing Focus: Choose the task to suit how you are feeling

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Jo VanEvery

In Optimizing Focus: 3 elements to consider, I outlined three elements that affect your focus during a writing session: the task itself, how you are feeling, and the context. I have written a series of follow up articles going into more detail about what that framework looks like in practice. I use the term “optimize” […]

Read More »
A pair of glasses rests on the keyboard of a laptop, focusing the screen which shows a few open windows of code and program settings

Optimizing Focus: Choose the task to suit the context

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Jo VanEvery

In Optimizing Focus: 3 elements to consider, I outlined three elements that affect your focus during a writing session: the task itself, how you are feeling, and the context. I have written a series of follow up articles going into more detail about what that framework looks like in practice. I use the term “optimize” […]

Read More »
A cluttered desk space with pc monitor is viewed from above

Focus and the desire for distraction

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Focus and the desire for distraction I’ve written about focus and distraction before. A recent question during A Meeting With Your Writing has helped me clarify an important underlying principle. There are 2 parts to getting distracted: the trigger where you go once distracted These two elements are not […]

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Is this Real Writing or procrastination?

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Jo VanEvery

A recent Twitter interaction with another writing coach helped me clarify some of the principles that underpin my approach to academic writing. Please, please, please remember that what is good advice for writers of young adult fantasy is not necessarily good advice for early career researchers! #AcWri https://t.co/hY9GjO51ml — Thomas Basbøll (@Inframethod) January 31, 2018 […]

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