In a couple of writing classes I have taken, the instructor has given us the task of simply writing whatever comes to mind. What I have written may never be required reading for some college class, but simply the act of writing is practice. Perhaps that is a good exercise for those ten minutes between whatevers.
On a recent forum, someone started a thread with no subject at all. In short order, the thread had a direction, with people even posting pictures.
If you have read Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, you know that thoughts drift here and there, often with no apparent connection. The book was required reading when I was in college (which was a while ago).
I have tried to meditate a few times, but I cannot hold my thoughts in a single direction that way.
Can I focus?
On the other hand, give me a task to accomplish, and I focus in. This blog has over 100 posts, most of them drafts as I work on organizing what is published. That does not count the ones that have been sent to the trash.
When we start writing, focus is important. Of course, distractions occur (not necessarily in this order)—cats, dogs, children, spouses, friends, work, sleep, eating, whatever occurs in your life.
Sometimes we can only find ten minutes to write. Is that worth it? Can we focus for ten minutes? That’s a decision we have to make based on the circumstances.