What drama?

I'm leaning into back-to-school vibes by dishing up some tangible copy tips this month. Earlier this month I shared 3 breezy ways to trim down your copy and increase readability. This one offers you 3 focus tools to ease into writing flow. 🌊 Let's hit the books!

It’s mid-August, y’all. I feel an undercurrent of buzzing energy as we transition out of summer mode and into fall.

If you’re like me, you might be struggling with the “back-to-school” transition.

You know you need to:

...write your home page so you can start to grow your private practice.

...craft a compelling flyer to fill a new offer this fall.

...email your list so your subscribers stay engaged and eager to buy from you.

But the words. ain't. flowin'.

I feel you. I used to think this was an issue of self-control.

Nah, it’s the drama of the human brain in 2023.

There are endless distractions 1000x more appealing to your dopamine-driven brain than writing copy.

Yet, compelling copy is essential to attract ideal clients who will pay you top dollar for your services.

Let’s not make your unfinished copy about "self-control", shall we?

No one sits down to write and instantly feels flow. (If you do, tell me your secret.)

What I've learned after 4+ years of writing copy...

Focus comes first. Then flow.

What's the first step to ease into writing flow?

Finding the right focus tools for your reward-driven brain in a sea of endless distractions. 🐠

Here are my 3 fav focus tools so you don’t have to rely on self-control to get sh*t done:

Disclaimer – these apps are primarily for Mac and Gmail, as that’s what I use. (Go ahead and hate me, Android users!) But you can explore other apps with similar functionality.

⏰ Focus Tool #1 —> Snooze Feature on Gmail

With running two businesses (my copy biz and private practice), I batch my days for copy vs. clinical work.

The trouble? I can’t ‘batch’ my attention. I check my email – both inboxes – every day.

When I see unanswered emails in my inbox, I feel a sense of nagging anxiety. (Do you relate?)

My solution? Snooze Feature on Gmail.

This allows you to select one (or a bunch!) of important emails to return to your inbox at a later time.

Out of sight, out of mind.

If you tend to prioritize answering emails above all else (guilty), use this feature to free up brain space and turn your focus on what matters most to propel your business forward.

Setting a timer is an age-old tool to aid in focus. I love that the Horo Timer is on the menu bar - right up top. You don’t have to use your phone (shiny distraction!) to set a timer. Plus, you can have multiple timers going at the same time.

How can a simple timer enhance your copywriting skills?

→ If you're a perfectionist and spend hours over-editing your copy, set a timer. Then you’re done. Get your words out in the world!

→ If you underestimate how long writing takes you, use a timer to track. With a concrete number, you can budget your writing time in the future and feel less stressed. (hint: less stress = more flow)

→ If you lose time when writing, set 2 timers to ease out of the project. One will cue you to wind down your writing, the other to shift to the next project.

→ If you feel disconnected or spacey when writing, set a reoccurring timer (say every 5-15 mins) while writing to check in with your body and take 5 deep breaths. This will remind you to stay grounded during heady projects.

⏰ Focus Tool #3 → SelfControl App

Bad habit of mine: when I get stuck in writing copy, I check social media, texts, or my email to avoid the discomfort.

SelfControl (the app, not my own, clearly) is here to save the day.

Aptly named, this app prevents you from accessing distracting websites. You add the sites you don’t want to access and choose a time frame (30 mins or several days) for them to be blocked.

I also use this app when I am out of the office. I’ll add work-related websites so that I don’t access them while I’m out of the office.

🛠️ 🛠️ 🛠️

Those are my go-to tools. Other notable tools include FocusMate (virtual coworking) and the Inbox Pause Feature on Gmail.

What tools do you use, ? What should I add to my tool box?

What business projects are you prioritizing as we ease into autumn?

Hit reply and let me know, would ya? I'd love to cheer you on -- and offer a word of encouragement if you need it.

TL;DR: My favorite tools to ease into flow and focus are the Snooze Feature on Gmail, Horo Timer, and SelfControl for Mac. What are yours?

P.S. Need more support than a focus app? Book a 1:1 Copy Coaching Intensive. I provide the time frame, container, and accountability to finally get your big ideas on paper. We make it happen with strategic planning, live calls, copy reviews, and check-ins along the way. Schedule a discovery call here.