As someone who spends a majority of my professional and leisure time writing (strategic communications by day, blogging by night and music on the weekends) I have battled the elusive writer\u2019s block on more than one occasion.<\/p>\n
Now more often than not, I am quite productive \u2013 In my free time during the last year, I\u2019ve written 179 posts here, more than 15 new songs, and created a countless amount of content for clients during the work week.<\/p>\n
But there are times when all creatives, even the productive types, find themselves stuck.<\/p>\n
I thought today I\u2019d share a few tips\/tricks I use to overcome writer\u2019s block, as I know many of you reading this are also writers:<\/p>\n
1)\u00a0 Get your blood moving<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 erica marshall<\/em><\/p>\n As I wrote previously:\u00a0\u00a0finding balance is vital for workers in the information economy.\u00a0 That post focused on the importance of exercise and balancing the sedentary nature of working in the information economy with an active lifestyle.\u00a0 Exercise is really good at getting blood moving through your brain and getting your creative juices flowing.\u00a0 Take a walk around your building, go the gym, do something active and when you return to your writing, you\u2019ll find your head will be much clearer.<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0 Change your surroundings<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 KhayaL<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a laptop, take it to the roof of your building (if you\u2019re able) or outside to a park and you may find swapping surroundings works wonders.\u00a0 It is very possible to become too distracted in your office or home to get good writing done.\u00a0 For your best writing, you need focus, and if you go somewhere with the sole intention of getting one piece of writing done, you\u2019ll be productive as you\u2019ll leave the distractions such as your phone or email (don\u2019t bring your iPhone) at your usual place of work.<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0 Unplug the Internet<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 cgatlin<\/em><\/p>\n This is similar to step two but applies when you can\u2019t get away from your desk but need focus.\u00a0 The web is a big distraction when you want to get good writing done \u2014\u00a0 close Facebook,\u00a0 turn off Twitter and stop checking your site analytics.\u00a0 In fact, just unplug the ethernet cable or turn off your wifi altogether and you\u2019ll really start to focus.\u00a0 I am more connected than any person should be, but good writing or beating writer\u2019s block\u00a0requires\u00a0<\/em>you to disconnect.<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0 Listen to some music<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 max w<\/em><\/p>\n This may not work at the office, but if you\u2019re a blogger and you work on the weekend the right music is highly inspriational.\u00a0 I recommend electronic\/jazz\/classical music, nothing with overt vocals to distract your thoughts \u2014 just some nice creative instrumentals to push you along in a good direction (I highly recommend\u00a0Tycho\u00a0or\u00a0Ulrich Schnauss).<\/p>\n 5)\u00a0 Start what you\u2019re stuck on first thing in the morning<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit: kruggg6<\/em><\/p>\n Open what you are stuck on first thing in the morning just as you\u2019re getting to work.\u00a0 Don\u2019t start reading emails\/checking voicemail and go into reaction mode \u2013 be proactive in tackling your writing.\u00a0 You can actually get you best work done if you start with the most complex and work your way to the easier stuff.<\/p>\n 6)\u00a0 File it for later<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 found drama<\/em><\/p>\n If it\u2019s not due soon, sometimes the best thing to do is to work on other things and ponder your approach.\u00a0 The angle you\u2019d like to take may hit you in the middle of the night and your block on that project may end itself naturally, before you get frustrated.<\/p>\n 7)\u00a0 Get some coffee<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 tonx<\/em><\/p>\n This is a quick solution if you don\u2019t have time to exercise.\u00a0 Despite what they say, caffeine is a great boost and\u00a0will<\/em>\u00a0stir your mind.\u00a0 Just make sure what you\u2019re working on is the only thing open while you sip your coffee so you actually work on that project (many people tend to multi-task after coffee).<\/p>\n 8)\u00a0 Outline it<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 cote<\/em><\/p>\n Don\u2019t have anything down yet?\u00a0 No worries \u2013 just write the main points.\u00a0 Outlining your writing will break it up into easily manageable chunks.\u00a0 If you decide a section doesn\u2019t work, you can always kill it later.\u00a0 It\u2019s always easy to fill in the missing parts than stare at a blank screen.<\/p>\n 9)\u00a0 Stop thinking about it and just start writing<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit: anvancy<\/em><\/p>\n In many cases, the best way to beat writer\u2019s block is just to start writing.\u00a0 The first graph or even the first sentence is sometimes the hardest.\u00a0 The more you get down, the easier it will be to continue\u2026just be sure to edit later.<\/p>\n 10)\u00a0 Don\u2019t force it<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like you when you have insomnia you shouldn\u2019t try and force sleep, don\u2019t try to force writing when you\u2019re truly stuck.\u00a0 The outcome is the same in both cases \u2013 frustration.\u00a0 If you really can\u2019t get writing and you\u2019ve tried everything it may just not be your day.\u00a0 And that\u2019s okay, no one can be successful with creative tasks\u00a0every<\/em>\u00a0day\u2026it may be a day to focus on a more techincal project.<\/p>\n 11)\u00a0 Read some blogs\/articles\/books outside the scope of what you normally write<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 onegoodbumblebee<\/p>\n Reading material in the genre of what you\u2019re planning to write can actually make writers block worse, as it gives you the feeling everything has already been said.\u00a0 What helps more is to read content from people\/subjects not in your field, as they see the world from a different perspective and will help you get inspired to write something unique.<\/p>\n 12)\u00a0 Keep a digital or analog notebook with you 24\/7<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 retro traveler<\/p>\n They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.\u00a0 Coming up with compelling ideas to write about is sometimes the hardest challenge of all.\u00a0 But, if you\u2019ve got an \u201cidea pad\u201d with you at all times, you can build up a reserve of good topics to draw upon as you need them.\u00a0 You\u2019re working proactively to prevent idea blocks in your writing.\u00a0 Inspiration usually strikes when you\u2019re not near your desk or actively working on things anyway, all creatives need to carry a digital or analog method of jotting down ideas.<\/p>\n 13)\u00a0 Keep writer\u2019s block away by writing daily<\/strong><\/p>\n Just like someone who is out of shape could not run a mile in a respectable amount of time, someone who doesn\u2019t write frequently will not be able to produce successful writing in a timely manner.\u00a0 You have to train your body to run, just like you must train your brain to write.\u00a0 And you become a faster runner and more proficient writer through repeated practice and perseverance.<\/p>\n 14)\u00a0 Eat healthy food and snacks image credit:\u00a0 cajie<\/p>\n Your brain requires proper nourishment to function at optimial levels.\u00a0 I actually notice my mental output is directly proportional to how healthy I am eating for the week.\u00a0 Load up on protein, foods rich in antioxidants, juices, fresh fruits and nuts, vegetables, and smoothies \u2013 you\u2019ll not only feel better, your writing will be stronger as that generally reflects your mood (whether you\u2019re conscious of it or not).<\/p>\n 15)\u00a0 Try taking a nap<\/strong><\/p>\n image credit:\u00a0 maurymccown<\/p>\n If you\u2019re tired, you\u2019re more likely to suffer writer\u2019s block than if you\u2019re well rested.\u00a0 Seven hours of sleep a night is minimum in my mind for optimum levels of successful brain-processing, however if you need to get through your writer\u2019s block ASAP sometimes a quick nap will reset your brain.\u00a0 Try the\u00a0caffeine nap\u00a0\u2013 it is scientifically proven to work (and from experience, it actually is quite effective).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As someone who spends a majority of my professional and leisure time writing (strategic communications by day, blogging by night … <\/p>\n
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