1. If you are typing on computer, disconnect the wireless/ethernet. You will find yourself doing “research” and be lost in cyberspace.
2. If there are a lot of things nagging at you (“Oh I must remember to post off that letter”) that seems to scream out to be done, keep a notepad on your desk to jot down those miscellaneous tasks. That way you can reassure yourself that you’ll get around to it.
3. Give yourself an outer time limit: “Ok, you have half an hour to do what you want, but by 10am we’re going to start writing.” (iI got this from Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones. Excellent book about integrating writing practice into one’s life – I highly recommend it)
4. Think of a time when you were really focused, and try to remember what it was about it that made it work for you. Was it because you were excited about the idea? Was it because you were in a quiet environment? Figure out what conditions make it work for you and see if you can recreate them.
5. Sometimes going to a different environment (e.g., the library or a cafe) helps for me. That way I don’t have the temptation to fall back into bed or to make lunch.
.
Resistance to writing is common – it’s a matter of finding structures that help you get into a habit. For me, I do my best writing when I’m fresh out of bed; and in letters (when I have a clear audience in mind). It’s different for everyone – you need to figure out what works for you.
Hope this helps…good luck.