<p>How do you guys make yourselves write?
I’ve got an idea for an essay that I really need to write, but for some reason I can’t seem to get started (that’s the natural procrastinator in me). What do you do when you really need to write an essay?</p>
<p>I shut down everything except for Microsoft Word, then I pull out the mouse.
That way I can’t click anything distracting, and if I need to get around on Word I can use keyboard shortcuts. </p>
<p>It’s extreme, but I’m REALLY easily distracted, haha.</p>
<p>Thanks. Yeah I think my issue is partly distractions but also just that I don’t really know how to start. It’s hard just staring at a blank screen, trying to think of something absolutely brilliant.</p>
<p>I, uh, sit down, put some music on, and engage in diarrhea of the written word until I get into an actual serious writing mindset? Depending on the situation it can take anywhere from a few words to sentences to paragraphs before I get into the swing of things.</p>
<p>Though honestly it doesn’t take much to get me writing once I have ideas- sitting down and actually doing it comes fairly easily, despite my streak of procrastination as well.</p>
<p>Personally, for these personal statements, I’ve always had a hard time motivating myself to write during the day… Since I usually tell myself that I can do other homework that I have during the break. With that being said, I’m usually able to crank everything out during the night… I don’t know how I do it, but it works. Saturday night and last night, I didn’t sleep until 3 AM… But hey, I finished an essay. I’m sure that doesn’t work for everyone, but I thought I would just tell you what worked for me, haha.</p>
<p>But it always helps to shut everything down, just like the other user said. I also had a friend who was staying up and accompanying me on aim while I was working on my personal statement. 
She was working on hers too and we were trying to motivate each other all night. :)</p>
<p>@Quomodo: Take out a piece of paper, and just write down whatever pops into mind. I find that using different colors to color-code certain words help me organize my thoughts.</p>