Deborah Biancotti

Exactly! Sidebar: I always see it as a red flag when I’m asked how I handle difficult stakeholders. I usually begin with: ‘well, I’d rather not handle difficult stakeholders because I prefer collaborative work where we’re all aiming at the same outcomes. But as an example of my experience …’

In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron suggests you make regular 'artist's dates' with yourself. This can be in the form of a day out, a trip to an art gallery or museum, or spending time doing your favourite hobby. Another way to reward yourself is to take a 'busman's holiday'. That is: write something you really, really want to write. Fun writing, passion projects, writing that no one else ever has to see. It's a way to stay connected to your writing without the pressure of any deadlines or obligations. It's also a great way to make discoveries about what you want to write next. But don't pressure yourself to write any specific thing if you don't feel like it. The emphasis is on the 'holiday' part of the equation.

Co-working is a great way to find support while you're writing. You can co-work with a friend at a library, cafe, or online. Or you can join a group that has regular scheduled co-working hours. These groups often use teleconferencing apps and/or chat options to stay in touch. Another way to find willing co-workers is to join a group like FocusMate, which provides a calendar where you can book co-working timeslots with people all around the world. (Note that I receive no kickbacks from FocusMate!)

A great way to ensure you're taking breaks is to use the Pomodoro technique: set a timer for the length of time you want to focus. This can be whatever time suits you, though 25, 50 or 55 minutes are popular timeslots. When the timer goes off, take your preferred break. You'll probably find that a short break is enough for the first 2-4 hours of working time, but then you'll probably need a longer break to stretch your body and mind. I find 3-4 hours of focus time, split by 2-3 breaks, works for me before I need a longer break. Remember that your own circadian rhythms also play a part. You might be able to focus for more hours in the morning, and fewer in the evenings -- or vice versa.

This is the fun part! You'll need to experiment to work out what a conducive environment looks and feels like for you. You might discover that you prefer an environment with an open window or no window at all, with a music track or white noise or silence. You might light a candle or begin with a meditative chant or prayer. Keep track of your discoveries in a process journal. In my experiments, I discovered I respond well to 'focus soundscapes' played through my bulky, noise-cancelling headphones. In fact, I adapted so well to this process that, after several weeks, I realised I was putting on my headphones -- and forgetting to play the soundscape. I'd habituated to the headphones so effectively that I automatically focused on my work.

Set realistic goals for your time and energy, too. At the beginning of your day (or writing time), check in with yourself. Make a note of how you're feeling today -- both in general, and how you're feeling about writing this project today. Then give yourself 10 to 25 minutes to work out what your immediate goals are. If it helps, set a timer for this task. When you finish writing for the day, spend the same amount of time determining how you feel now, and what to put on your 'to do' list for next time. In this way, you can keep track both of your specific writing achievements and also how well your writing process is working for you. That will help you build your goal-setting muscles for the future.