3 Ways to Get Over Writer’s Block

I know the feeling well. You are staring at a blank piece of paper, or a blank word doc, with a blank stare. Nothing! Can’t write a single word.

Being that I work with business owners a lot, this is one of their biggest concerns with blogging or writing a book, etc. They may not be the greatest writers and know that they often get writer’s block. But writing is not just for blogging or writing a book. There are many times as a business owner that you may need to get some writing done but just can’t seem to do it.

Here are 3 ways you can get over your writer’s block and start writing!

1 – Group Writing Tasks Together

I try to put all of my writing tasks together. I put the easiest ones first. This makes it easier to get into the writing mode and by the time I get to the harder tasks, I am ready to go. When you start writing, after some time your brain goes into writing mode. The words will start flowing.

So if I have a blog post to write and I am just not in the mood, I will start off by responding to emails or sending new ones. This is a much easier writing task. You know what you need to write or want to say. So you naturally just start writing the emails. Respond to comments on your blog, etc.

Once you have done those simple writing tasks, you will notice that you are in a mood to write and will find it much easier. The key is to just get your fingers moving and your brain into the mode.

This is really one of the best ways I have found to get over my writer’s block. I do this with as many tasks as  I can, not just writing. I group phone calls together, errands together, filing together, etc. It is far more difficult to go from task to task when they are not the same nature.

2 – Keep an Idea File

This works really well for bloggers but can be used for other writing tasks. I got this idea from David Risley. If you are a blogger, you get ideas all the time. The problem is that if they are not written down, we will not remember them.

Keeping a file with topic ideas is a great way to make sure you always have something to write about. My idea file is usually filled with a minimum of 20 ideas to choose from. It makes it pretty simple to pick a topic. Anytime I get an idea for a blog post I write it down.

I use Evernote for keeping ideas on what to write about. This is a great product that I have on my iPhone, Kindle Fire and computers. I can easily add ideas to my idea file anytime I get them. I will always have one of those devices near by.

It is also wise to map out other writing tasks. You may not have an idea file for something like a letter you need to write, or a employee manual. However, having ideas mapped out will help a lot. This is similar to an idea file but in a separate form. It will keep you on task with the ideas you want to include in your writing.

3 – Just start writing

If you do not have an idea file or other tasks to group together. Just start writing. Write anything. Find a book, start writing something from the book. This will also trigger your brain to go into writing mode. It is a low energy task because you just have to type what you are reading.

As I said before, once your brain is in the mode of writing, the words will just flow. The important thing here is to be prepared and to get into the writing mode.

Feel free to share any ideas you have for getting over your writer’s block.