You know the scene: one minute you're engaged in productivity--checking off items from the grand "to-do"--then a chime sounds indicating a new message. Maybe you choose to take a quick mental break, seek a change of screen scenery. You open email or enter a social media time warp, willingly putting yourself on the ramp of the super highway (abyss). Just a few keystrokes to reply to a colleague's pressing dilemma, a couple of "like" check marks to validate a friend's new baby photos, a peek at a newsfeed. A little while later, you glance at the clock and are shocked to realize you've essentially just squandered an hour of your life--and that former productivity.

I'm guilty as well, which is of course what brings me to write this post. In trying to follow advice about building a writer platform, I joined Twitter (never got it before, yet I nixed Facebook a while back after tiring of the endless self-indulging posts of no substance), created a website, and started this blog. I am learning to love Twitter as a tool to connect with other writers in all stages of the process and gaining valuable tips to improve my own writing from agents and editors. The website building was an enjoyable creative outlet, and the blog is . . . quite honestly proving to be a struggle to find time and interest--both mine and readers. Add in my photo-a-day journal at Blipfoto, the emails I need to keep up with as a volunteer with a dog rescue, oh and running my own business . . . So, my writing has unfortunately taken a bit of a back burner. That is counterproductive to my writing goals.

Seems the more information readily available and the more forums for instant communication, the harder it is to get real work done, to move forward with the projects we most need and want to tackle.

The answer? Well, where a new need arises, new tools surely emerge. Of course the best way to combat technology is with other technology, right? There are tools--even free ones--to control your online meandering. Just search the app stores or Google "online productivity tools." You'll find timers to install on your devices which will restrict online use after the allotted time. I know this works for some, but I see them as about effective (at least for people like me) as buying bitter-tasting polish to curtail nail biting. It's like parenting yourself, which in a way is kind of creepy. I mean, if you aren't able to manage tech-indulgence, do you really think you won't succumb to just clicking off or removing the app?

What it really comes down to to is this: you must evaluate and restructure your network time stealers. Take control the old-fashioned way, and just do it!

1. Make a list of your daily "device vices"--games, social media, email, "research", photo journals, etc.

2. Next, seriously review what you love, benefit from, and/or need. Eliminate at least one (even for a short term to see how much you really would miss it).

3. What you're left with needs to have a new plan. Maybe you'll check email twice a day (pick the same time, like while you eat breakfast, so it will stick). Maybe only do a quick blog blurb (please don't attempt to say that aloud more than twice) while your child is at a lesson or practice. Maybe you will decide to make one Twitter post and one retweet of a post you enjoyed per day; browse only until you find that daily input.

The goal is to eliminate the constant urge to be connected and checking in. Agree not to feel guilty or apologize for stepping back. Sometimes it truly is best to tune out. You may just become a role model! And, I bet you'll find new outlets, perhaps even regain some mental downtime. I'd love to hear how you conquer the networking battle.

As much as I avoid New Year resolutions for all the obvious reasons, January somehow still leaves me feeling an urge to purge & reach goals. Once the holiday decorations are packed away & the house cleaned, I desire a greater sense of organization in my surroundings & a renewed mojo for tackling projects I've had bouncing around my head for a while.

Just as a cluttered workplace or home leaves the mind equally cluttered, a tidy, well-arranged space frees the mind. Creativity is less likely to occur let alone thrive when your environment is bogged down. Tell me a neat desk doesn't welcome you to sit down at it and get motivated?

Rather than setting up for failure, as calling any aspiration a "resolution" seems to doom its chance at success, I entice myself into performing tiny, achievable tasks I really want to accomplish. I'm a lister, so I take to paper & pen (or my iPad). The page becomes the vessel to hold all the fleeting ideas, dreams, & *cough* goals. Just as we set reminders to do mundane chores, why not schedule creative organizing tasks into our to-do lists?

Keep in mind, these are chunked creative projects, not big life-changing actions that typically equate to unattainables. Writing down small, doable tasks makes these thoughts concrete, so you can easily work them into brief time slots. If you're more visual, maybe design a scrapbook or even create Pinterest boards for your desired projects.

Here's my system:

1. Start with a grand list of categories/topics such as writing, crafting, organizing, reading, & cooking (one per page).

2. Next, fill the pages with ideas for mini projects. Add to these as ideas pop up, so it's always a work in progress. The more options/ideas, the better. That leaves something for every mood, time block, etc. On the cooking page, for instance, I may list recipes I'd like to make for that season or events/holidays within. On the reading page I may list articles, blogs or magazines I want to catch up on as well as novels I want to buy/read. The writing page may list poetry prompts or contests I'm interested in pursuing alongside specific tasks to plan, research, daily writing page counts, or places I want to query my novel.

3. From this, make a weekly &/or daily task list, including one or two items from each topic into your planner, mobile phone or tablet--whatever you're likely to have with you throughout the day. This mix will keep you motivated & not bored.

4. Pick a day that you usually have downtime to update your weekly list. Make it an enjoyable part of your routine.

5. At the end of a week or month, you're guaranteed a feeling of accomplishment as you review all the checked off tasks.

Tip: Instead of listing a hugely daunting task such as cleaning out a closet, limit yourself to removing, say ten items, from that closet. It's also helpful to set a time limit. So, ten minutes to clear out ten items means you could try on a few things but must not debate for long. Plus, you'll still have time & energy for other more pleasant tasks. Maybe you'll go back & pull out ten more items in a month, but progress will be made. Remember: the key is making these mini tasks doable rather than something to moan about & then ultimately avoid.