So there I am….computer fired up, drink close at hand and…….wait for it……..wait for it……….oh no!

What to write?

Has this ever happened to you? I know I have fallen victim to the dreaded writer's block. During my time as a blogger, it has occurred quite a few times. Fortunately I have been able to figure out a few ways to get the creative juices flowing again.

6_5 Tips to Overcoming Writer's BlockHere are FIVE TIPS that help me overcome that mental block.

#1: Walk away.

So this doesn’t necessarily mean just walk away from your computer. I am suggesting getting out and going for a walk. Leaving your work station may help reduce the stress of having to write.  

I know that I get a lot of my inspiration as I get out and walk the park and play with my kids. You are under a lot less stress, which allows your mind to process thoughts more easily.

trail

Changing up your scenery can inspire you in new ways. There is a trail I love walking because of how beautiful it is. There are so many trees, flowers, and even a river that runs next to the trail.  Do you have a beautiful place you can go?

#2: Burn it out.

I know I just suggested walking, but sometimes walking just isn’t enough. I love to ride my mountain bike and that provides a lot of great cardio for me. I also love to make it out to the gym to lift and/or do a class.

I have experienced more creativity as I take care of my body. Remember that being successful in other areas of your life definitely spills into your success as a blogger or whatever else you are setting your mind to.

#3: Meditate.

Whether or not you are religious, meditation serves you well to clear your mind and hone in on what it takes to accomplish your goals. No matter what you decide to call it, whether it'd be prayer, meditation, salah, reflection, contemplation, etc., we can all benefit from taking that time to remind ourselves of our purpose in life.

cc flickr spaceamoeba

I'm not into the whole sitting cross-legged thing, but if that works for you, go for it. I personally take some time to go over my goals, reflect on why I am moving in this particular direction, and reaffirm my dedication to the goal.

If you feel like you don't have time to take to yourself, believe me I understand. I have four kids, a full-time job, and a part-time job. I have to sneak in five minutes to do this, but it has been very important. It is not an everyday thing, but maybe every week or two. It is so beneficial to my success.

#4: Talk about it.

By this I definitely don’t mean just get out and whine about your problem, lol! What I am suggesting is gearing up and recording yourself talking about the topic.

I began this journey as a public speaker, so at times it was definitely easier for me to speak my ideas than to write them out. There are programs out there that can transcribe what you speak (e.g. Dragon naturally speaking) or you could simply record what you want to talk about and then create a post from that. middleageman

I have been on one of my walks, used the recording app on my phone and just talked about a few topics that I cover on my blog.

I don't try to speak out a whole blog post. I just cover some topics. When I get home, I listen to it and pull out enough info to get me going on a few blog posts.

Another way to look at this tip is to ask your audience questions. Ask them what they want you to talk about. As I write this, I have just received a request to discuss Stitcher Radio on my blog. The email asked about a few specific things, so now I have a direction to take that post.

This is a highly effective way to break the writer's block slump.

#5: Just write already.

girlwriterWhen all else fails I have found that just writing whatever comes to mind will help me become more creative and allow me to think of better ways to express those thoughts I have trapped in my mind.

I begin by writing what I did today or yesterday and then add to it until I am ready to write what I came to write about! Sometimes it takes two minutes and sometimes it takes ten minutes, but this step has always worked.  

Remember, we are all out there figuring it out. Sometimes we think that bloggers who have a larger following than us, or have been doing it longer than us, have all the answers. Let me be the first to say, I don't have it all figured out! We all feel that intense pressure to put out quality information in our blog posts, and the more you do it, the better you will become.

I know that the posts I write now are a lot better than the posts I wrote when I first started out. However, I still have people who go back and read some of my earlier posts and tell me how informative they are and how those posts have helped them.

You never know who you are going to be able to help.

Have you ever tried any of these steps to defeat writer's block? What are some other steps that have worked for you? Leave a comment or question below!!

 

About the Author Allan Dubon


This is the face behind AllanDubon.com and "The Update" podcast. Helping you navigate through this stormy sea we call social media!

Get In Touch