The ancient idea of 'what you think about becomes your reality' likely has roots in Eastern philosophies of meditation and spiritual practices. But over the past several decades, it has been given new life.
From “The Law of Attraction” to James Redfield’s quote, "Where attention goes, energy flows," to Tony Robbins quote, “Where focus goes, energy flows, the term is a well-known principle. It’s applied to everything from business to productivity to sports and even to writing.
In her Morning Nudge email from August 2017, author and writing coach Suzanne Lieurance put it simply: “A universal law states that ‘energy follows focus.’”
This simple three-word phrase holds enormous power, especially for writers.
So, what does this mean?
The core principle of the phrase means that whatever you put your attention on (your focus) will grow stronger, gain momentum, take shape, and become fruitful.
Your mental and emotional energy naturally flows in the direction of your focus. If you fixate on distractions, stress, or self-doubt, your energy drains away from your writing. But when you concentrate on your story, your characters, and your message, you infuse your work with the energy it needs to propel forward.
For writers, this principle is not only practical but also inspiring.
Let’s break down how ‘energy follows focus’ applies directly to writing and dive into some examples of how it works in practice.
Having a Clear Intent Will Shape Output
Imagine sitting down to write with no real idea of where you’re going. In other words, you’re staring at a blank screen.
You check your email, scroll social media for a few minutes, and then you attempt to type. The words feel flat, the direction muddled, and the effort exhausting.
Now compare that to the times when you sit down with a clear vision. You know the scene you want to write, the emotion you want to capture, or the theme you want to develop. You focus on that intention, and your energy aligns with it. The writing session feels smoother, more productive, and more satisfying.
Example: When I wrote the first book in my children’s book series, "The Adventures of Planetman," I knew what I wanted to convey. I knew what the takeaway was to be. Instead of sitting at the keyboard, wondering and worrying about the entire arc of the story, I focused on the story conflict and how the environmental superheroes would overcome it. Because my focus was narrow and clear, my energy flowed. When this happens, your writing can become more powerful.
Focus Creates Momentum
Many writers feel stuck because their focus is scattered. They have ideas, but they may have too many ideas or too many projects going at once. Maybe you’re a scattered writer.
One day you're working on a novel, the next a blog post, the next a picture book revision, and the next you're book marketing. With no consistent focus, energy is diluted.
But when you commit to focusing on one project, something shifts. Your brain begins working in the background, connecting dots, imagining dialogue, and solving plot problems.
Each day you show up with a clear focus, the energy compounds, and your project gains momentum.
Example: A novelist decides to devote the next three months solely to finishing her first draft. Even on busy days, she writes 500 words with focused attention.
By week four, she notices that her story begins to flow much more easily, to the point where it almost writes itself. This happens because her mind is focused, and her creative energy naturally gathers around the project.
Focus Determines Quality
It’s not just about producing more words; it’s about producing better words.
Suppose you focus on multitasking while you write (checking your phone, switching tabs, thinking about dinner, or being a scattered writer). In that case, your energy is divided, and the quality of your writing will suffer.
But when you give your writing your undivided attention, the prose becomes sharper and the ideas clearer. Energy follows where you place your mental spotlight.
Example: A freelance writer has two hours to finish an article. She turns off notifications, closes unnecessary tabs, and sets a timer for deep focus. Because her attention is entirely on the task, she not only finishes on time but also produces cleaner, more engaging copy that requires less revision.
Focus Helps Conquer Resistance
Every writer battles resistance, procrastination, fear, or the nagging voice that says, This isn’t good enough. The more you focus on those doubts, the stronger they grow. That’s energy following focus in action, but it’s in the wrong direction.
If instead you deliberately shift your focus back to the story, the characters, or simply the next sentence, your energy returns to the work. Over time, this builds resilience and confidence. And you’re actually creating a habit.
Example: A poet feels stuck and keeps telling herself, “I’m not talented enough.” She recognizes this thought and chooses instead to focus on writing one line that captures the feeling of winter. By moving her focus, she reclaims her energy, and one line grows into a stanza, then into a poem.
How to Harness ‘Energy Follows Focus’ in Writing
1. Set clear goals. Before you start, decide what you’ll focus on: a scene, a character sketch, or a blog post draft. 2. Eliminate distractions. Create an environment where your attention is focused only on writing. 3. Start small. Focus on the next sentence or paragraph rather than the entire book. This helps keep energy moving. 4. Stay consistent. Daily focus builds momentum, even in short bursts. 5. Redirect self-doubt. Notice negative thoughts, then intentionally shift focus back to the story.
Summing It Up
‘Energy follows focus’ isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a truth that every writer can use to fuel creativity and productivity. Your attention is one of your most powerful tools. Where you place it determines the energy of your work, the progress of your projects, and the quality of your writing.
When you learn to focus deliberately on the scene in front of you, on an article or a blog post, you unlock a powerful energy. It’s what will help carry your writing to the finish line.
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, rewriter, and coach. I can help turn your story into a book you’ll be proud to be the author of, one that’s publishable and marketable.
