On Tools and Inspiration

When finding a better way to write people sometimes can overfocus on the tools to make the task more efficient. I have observed similar things in other hobbies like photography or even in professional settings like project management.

These days there has never been as many tools available for the aspiring writer (photographer etc) This is both a blessing and a curse as the sheer number of choices can produce decision paralysis, which is a fancy way of saying you can’t decide.

Studies have shown that having less choice sometimes will make you make a decision quicker. In my own opinion, I am happy to have the wide range of tools available but it is important to stick with one or two as part of your workflow to see if it does work.

For example, over the years, I have switched from using word processing software to offline blog writing software and now using a dedicated distraction free tool called Focuswriter. I have recently added Grammarly which I use as a spell/grammar checker after I do my first draft.

I typically commit to trying something new for at least a month. If it does not work then I’ll look for something else, but in the meantime, I will continue to write. There are enough distractions in life that can keep me from writing. If I can eliminate a source of procrastination then I am the better for it.

Remember there is no perfect tool that will work for everyone. This is a case to focus less on the journey and more on what you want to get at the end.