Name: Dee
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/deerelyea
Personal Blog: http://www.creativeworkways.com
Bio: Dee is a career coach and workshop facilitator who helps people figure out "what they want to do when they grow up." She blogs about creative self employment and career fulfillment and teaches for the Small Business Development Center at UW-Madison.
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4 Tips for Overcoming Writer’s Block
February 9th, 2010Do you find yourself challenged to post regularly? Got a book inside that you can’t get going on? You’re not alone! Here are some tips that may help:
Symptom #1 You just don’t feel like writing
Remedy: Schedule blocks of time specifically for writing and sit at the keyboard at the appointed hour no matter what. Offer yourself a reward to reinforce your commitment such as “after I knock out this article I’m going to the gym/the store/the park”.
Symptom #2: Experiencing stress or anxiety when trying to write
Remedy: Get away from the computer for a few minutes. Stretch, do jumping jacks, grab a snack, just give yourself a short break. Examine the environment where you are writing. Are you sitting at a messy desk? Is there adequate lighting, a comfy chair, the computer at an ergonomic height? When you look past the monitor what do you see? Is the the room supporting your creativity or is it challenging your concentration? If possible, change whatever is distracting you.
Symptom #3: Getting tired when you sit down to write
Remedy: Consider your natural body rhythms. What time of day are you most energized? Some people can be wildly productive early in the morning while others prefer working at night. Figure out when you get your best writing done and schedule accordingly.
Symptom #4: Not finishing a writing project
Remedy: If you are working on an e-book or writing a novel, you might benefit by breaking down the chapters into manageable blocks of time. Find yourself stuck on what to write for the next chapter? Try starting at the end of the book and write backwards. Having a vision of the project completed is another suggestion.
Need more assistance? Check out the War of Art, by Steven Pressfield, highly recommended for getting beyond resistance and realizing your creative dreams.
