Creating the Perfect Work Environment

Artists are a really weird bunch if for no other reason than each one of us has our preferred work environment.

This is a spectrum ranging from nice and quiet, no distractions, all the way up to, well, let's just say some of us require a certain level of chaos in our environment. Everyone has a different situation they've gotten used to because of how they're raised or just because of the stuff that happened around them. I grew up in a very active household so if I don't have a certain level of chaos going around me it tends to drive me to distraction to the point where I simply can't do anything. I need some stimulation, even if it's just strapping on headphones and putting on some Viking metal.

Conversely, you have some people that require absolute quietness to get anything done. It's just strange that you got all these books, articles, and people there, go around telling them telling you that this is a basic work environment, that if you're not working in this kind of environment, you're not going to get anything done. If you need it, fine, but not all of us find such an environment suitable for work.

Eliminate Distraction

With that in mind, there are three simple tips to set up the perfect work environment for you. The first is to experiment a bit. No two artists have the same preferences, and sometimes you can't predict those preferences based on how you were raised. And I don't mean just little things: I work best when I have a certain level of cleanliness around me, probably because I'm ADHD and it comes with certain OCD issues. At the same time, if it's too clean it may drive me crazy; as noted, I need a little chaos. As such, m compromise is that I'm happy as long as it's organized but not necessarily eat-off-the-floor clean.

[This also applies to my games. I have some games that I try to keep up on, mostly casual games that require being played every so often to keep up. This has also become part of the process.]

That is, the balance between cleanliness and organization and my games are my biggest distractions. By taking those off the table I am better able to concentrate on the task at hand, the writing. Eliminating the distractions is your first step toward setting up your environment.

Creating The Environment

Also, as I grew up in a very active household I need a certain level of audio-visual simulation. This is why I usually have a TV going whenever I'm working. Occasionally I will be distracted by what's going on on TV, don't get me wrong, but generally speaking, I can do a lot more with the TV on than I can without. Of course, sometimes I trade out the TV for a music playlist; I just need the sensory distraction and the source of that doesn't matter. Food and water are another one: I can't work hungry so I usually have at least some sort of snack. I also make sure that I have a huge water bottle filled, usually with something cold and caffeinated, or I have a good beer on hand.

Look at what I'm doing: My environment needs some sort of sensory distraction (either TV or loud music), I need something to drink while writing, and I need food (either having eaten or having snacks on hand). Once these aspects of my environment have been dealt with I can start getting serious about things.

The Rituals

Sometimes it takes something to get me into the mood, to make the mental transition from the everyday world to the writing world. Sometimes it's playing certain games, watching certain shows, or even certain meditative techniques. My games and social media are part of that; my games usually involve problem solving, memory, and words, all good for getting me into the mindset of writing. I also practice some meditative techniques, even if they are limited to just shoving aside certain thoughts.

All this means is that I am using the same motions to create the same mental state; it's similar to an athlete warming up. By taking advantage of these rituals, I can more quickly get into a writing mode.

Eliminating distractions, creating the environment, rituals: By taking advantage of these I can better get into a writing mode and sustain it. All of these thus create the perfect work environment for whatever I am doing at the time.