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Achieve flow state when you're writing your first book
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Hey Reader, I'm so excited for warmer weather and spring. I've been fueling myself with Kona Coffee that I purchased in Hawaii this past January, and now I'm ready to get out there. I'm thinking about starting to run again. If you're a runner and you have tips for starting, please reply and let me know! Running is not my physical strong suit. πππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎ πππΎ Did You Know? πππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎπππΎ Our new Skool community has 42 members! Come and join us! Surfacing with this week's insights... π One stumbling block many new authors face is not knowing how to start writing their book. They have ideas, but they don't know how to organize them in a format that readers will understand. New authors aren't sure what to write in their book, how to write it for their avatar, or how to organize their information. A book is one of the most powerful business tools you will ever own. Itβs not just a tool; itβs your professional legacy. Books attract clients. They open doors that a business card wonβt budge. Today, those new (and returning) authors have a solution! I recently published "From Idea to Outline in One Weekend," specifically for professionals like you. Busy, experienced, full of ideas, and ready to finally write a book about it. Your book idea has been waiting long enough. Grab your copy today! π π βοΈ π π βοΈ π π βοΈ π π βοΈ π π βοΈReady to learn something new? π π§ Flow state is that magical zone where you're completely absorbed in what you're doing, time disappears, and the work flows effortlessly from your brain to the page. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first identified this state as the sweet spot between boredom and anxiety, where your skill level perfectly matches the challenge at hand. For writers, flow state is when the words come naturally, distractions fade away, and you look up to realize you've written 2,000 words in what felt like 20 minutes. It's not reserved for professional writers or creative geniuses. Anyone can access flow state with the right conditions and practice. β¨ Achieving flow state as a non-professional writer starts with removing the barriers that prevent deep focus. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary browser tabs, and create a dedicated writing space that signals to your brain it's time to work. Start with a clear, specific goal for each session (like "write 500 words on chapter three" instead of vague "work on my book"), and choose a task that's challenging enough to engage you but not so difficult that you're paralyzed. Many writers find that beginning with a simple warm-up activity, like journaling for five minutes or revising yesterday's work, helps ease them into the deeper concentration required for flow. π Physical movement before writing can be a powerful flow state trigger. Taking a walk, doing repetitive household tasks like folding laundry, or even a quick workout session can quiet mental chatter and prime your brain for creative work. The key is consistency: when you establish rituals that precede your writing sessions, your brain begins to recognize these cues and transitions into flow more easily. Over time, what once required significant mental effort becomes almost automatic, and you'll find yourself dropping into that productive, focused state with less resistance. π‘ Interested in learning how? π What time of day do I naturally feel most energized and focused? Flow state is easier to achieve when you work with your body's natural rhythms rather than against them. Pay attention to when you feel most alert and creative throughout the day, then protect that time for your writing sessions. π What rituals or activities help me transition from "busy mode" to "focused mode"? Identify the physical or mental cues that signal to your brain it's time to write. This could be making a cup of tea, putting on music, going for a walk, or sitting in a particular chair. I love to put on instrumental music to achieve flow state. Here is my Apple Music Playlist called "Writing Flow," which I use for achieving flow state. Consistent pre-writing rituals train your brain to shift into creative focus more quickly. π― Am I setting goals that are specific enough to create momentum but not so overwhelming that I freeze? Flow state lives in the balance between challenge and ability. If your goal is too vague ("work on my book") or too ambitious ("write three perfect chapters today"), you'll struggle to find flow. Break your writing into concrete, achievable tasks that keep you engaged without triggering anxiety. π‘Final Thoughts: Flow state isn't a mystical talent reserved for professional writers. It's a skill you can develop through intentional practice, consistent rituals, and by working with your natural rhythms rather than fighting them. ποΈπͺποΈ Need Assistance Building Your Audience? ποΈπͺποΈ If you've been focused on writing the bookβ¦ but not on building the audience, my friend, Virginia, has got you covered. Virginia over at Podcast Abundance teaches how to host your own podcast to grow visibility, increase your authority, and create demand for your ideas long before publishing day. If you want your book to actually generate leads for your business, her newsletter will show you how. Join here β https://podcastabundance.kit.com/podcasttogrowβ πππ― πππ― πππ― πππ― πππ― πππ― πππ― πππ― πππ― π€ Client Testimonial of the Week My client, Jennifer, needed assistance with getting her expert content onto the page. Her friends had been telling her she needed to write a book for several years. She called me to assist her, and we wrote her book together. "Lynn helped me get through the writing of my book, Build a Strong Podcast! I couldn't have done it without her." -Jennifer Longworth Ready to take your book content to the next level? βThen hop on my Self-Publishing Discovery Call calendar.β πWant to learn more? I've compiled a playlist of my top book marketing episodes from my podcast, Self Publishing for Professionals. Click here to listen to the playlist! While you're there, make sure to leave a review! π₯Upcoming Free Publishing Coachingπ₯ Do you want to avoid the most common misconceptions that new authors have when it comes to publishing? βJoin my free community for access to my upcoming workshop, where I'll reveal misconceptions and why they aren't true. This is free, interactive, and designed to save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration! β¬οΈ Click your preferred calendar button below to automatically add this event to your calendar! β¬οΈ Your Publishing Partner, Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis P.S. β Are you looking for a fresh set of eyes on your manuscript for a review? Grab a spot on my Self-Publishing Discovery Call calendar to find out how quick and easy this process can be! |
Lynn Smargis Ghostwriter
Are you a thought leader or C-Suite professional looking to write a non-fiction book as your business calling card? Learn how to transform your expertise into a book you can use as a networking tool to increase your reach and expand your online presence.
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