You need to write, but you’re stuck staring at a blank page or computer screen.
Here are 11 ways to overcome writer’s block:
1. Know Your Objective
What’s the purpose of your writing? What will be the result? Knowing your objective at the start will allow you to start thinking about the outcome you desire.
2. Create an Outline
When your writing project seems too big or overwhelming, chunk it down into more manageable “bite-sized” pieces. Just write down your main points. If you’re writing an essay, outline your thesis and supporting paragraphs. For a book, begin by outlining the chapters. For a song, outline the verses and chorus. For this article, I began by determining the specific ways that have helped me overcome writer’s block which allowed me to fill in the rest of the details to share with you.
3. Shorten Your Due Date
As I improve my time and activity management, I have become familiar with Parkinson’s Law, which states:
Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.
~ Parkinson’s Law
In regards to writing, the further out your due date is, the more likely you will delay your action. Overcome this by shortening your timelines to provoke focused action instead of flirting with procrastination.
4. Meditate
Simply breathe and calm the “noise” within your mind. When you allow yourself to clear cluttered thoughts, you create room for the ideas you desire to fill the empty space. When done correctly, ideas will seem to come out of nowhere and begin flowing through you.
5. Exercise
Prime your creative pump and cause your creative juices to flow by elevating your heart rate. Changing your physical state inevitably leads to a change in your mental state.
6. Take a shower
Wash away your writer’s block with a change in temperature and feeling of freshness. Some of your best ideas may come to you while in the shower.
7. Light a candle
I have observed many published authors who have a ritual of lighting a candle before they engage in writing, as a way to lift away any blocks. Somehow a lit candle holds the possibility of guidance and inspiration. Perhaps it’s the element of fire or arousal of your sense of smell through enlightening scents.
8. Unplug from the Internet
In addition to being a major source of distraction, the internet can have us thinking cautiously and strikingly similar to the social networks we’re associated with. Sometimes we need to disconnect with the outside world in order to connect with our best ideas.
9. Change Up Your Surroundings
Explore areas outside your normal workspace to stimulate new ideas. If you usually work indoors, try going outside. Explore a new coffee shop, park, library, rooftop, airport, hotel, etc.
10. Sleep On It
Many times when we try to force an idea, it becomes more evasive. Don’t force it; allow the idea to come to you. Think about what you want in a calm, pleasing manner as you take a nap or go to bed. Be sure to have a paper and pen within arm’s reach in case the idea comes to you as you rise from your slumber.
11. Just Write!
Overcoming writer’s block can be as simple as not thinking about it and to just start writing. That first sentence may be the most difficult but it becomes easier as you continue moving along.
12. Make Writing a Daily Habit
As a result of challenging myself to write at least an hour a day, I’ve found that you can train yourself to transcribe your ideas into writing in a more timely manner. Schedule your time to write and show up everyday!
How do you overcome writer’s block? Feel free to share in the comments below.
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