At some point in your blogging business you’re going to hit it… writer’s block. I personally feel like it is more a lack of inspiration, but most people call it writer’s block.
Yesterday I sat at my desk for a couple hours banging my head, trying to force things to work, and the harder I tried to make it happen the more things got messed up and refused to work. I’ve got a couple things that I promised myself I’d have done by the end of the week. I’ve been completely uninspired to write them and it’s getting toward the end of week.
It’s times like these when I have a “deadline” looming that I find it very easy to slip into “make it work” mode. Whether it’s trying to create an image, or write a sales letter, or even blog posts. I just sit here and try to “make it work”. I know I’m not the only one ~ I’ve gotten plenty of emails that start something like this…
“for the last 3 hours I’ve been trying to …”
you fill in the blank, or change the 3 to a 5 ~ it all depends on how dug in your are. 
Let me offer another option
It may seem crazy, and counterintuitive, but it works! Ready? Here goes.
Get up and walk away.
Yeah ~ when you’ve only got a little bit of time to devote to this whole thing it seems ridiculous to spend it walking away, but that can be the very best thing you do for yourself and your project.
My brain (and maybe yours) is a lot like my 4 year old. When she wants to do something it’s super easy to get her to do it. When she doesn’t want to do something it’s like trying to drag a donkey uphill in 100 degree weather. It just doesn’t happen.
My brain is the same way ~ if it’s not ready, willing and able to engage in a project I’m just going to end up spinning my wheels, getting frustrated, getting mad, and in the end STILL not get anything done.
I handle my brain a lot like I handle my 4 year old. (very sad… but still very true). I take a break. I walk away, do something else that is fun or at least lets me relax a little bit. Same thing with Hanna, if I just keep pushing her we’re going to get into a battle of the wills and I think at this point she can probably beat me. So I walk away, take a break, and then a few minutes later come back to the situation. It’s usually with a bit different attitude, a different feeling, a different “energy”, if you will, toward the situation.
Low and behold ~ we can usually get it worked out. Same with my brain. Yesterday we took off to the zoo. (It was going to be the only day for another couple weeks under 95 degrees ~ so it was a good day to go, and the idea of getting out and away from the house was VERY appealing).
The thing about going to the zoo for me is this: I have a long car ride. There’s something about driving in my car (which I don’t do that much of anymore) that brings up ideas. I did a video at the zoo so of course the whole way there I was mapping that out, but the drive home really brought some great ideas to the forefront for the project I was working on earlier in the day.
When I got home I was able to easily write what I needed to write ~ well at least the first draft ~ the framework is on paper ~ so it can be worked and revamped.
Here’s the thing… I did it in like 25 minutes. I spent hours earlier in the day banging my head, but when I got back it seriously just flowed out easily and effortlessly and the draft was done quickly.
That’s the power of walking away.
I don’t have time to go to the zoo!
I hear you. Not everyone has all day to just hop off to the zoo. You can still use the walk away strategy though. Just do it on a smaller scale.
Mow the yard
Do the dishes
play a game with your kiddo
take a walk around the block
cook something
take a shower
brush the dog or take him for a walk
listen to your favorite feel good song
work out
There are a million things you can do to change up the energy you’re in. The one thing I suggest you DON’T do is sit down in front of the TV. That will sap your brain power and will not help you get back to the computer ~ at least it doesn’t for me.
Engage in something that engages your brain and your other senses. By engaging your body and your mind in another task you open up space for new inspiration to hit you.
Oh ~ and when you leave the computer it’s a good idea to get really clear about what you want to show up for yourself. Yesterday I really wanted to be clear on the specifics of something. Sure enough, when I sat back down the specifics were right there waiting for me.
So there you have it… how I beat writer’s block aka lack of inspiration. What do you do to find inspiration and write or produce something when you feel uninspired or blocked?
PS. On a totally different topic ~ you know I’m doing this 30 day video challenge. I did another video at the zoo yesterday. If you’re enjoying the new video element I’d really appreciate it if you’d watch it and tell me a couple things
1. which style do you like better
2. what length works for you (I just read someone say keep them less than 2 minutes and I’m wondering if that’s true )
3. anything else you’d like to add
I’m asking because I really do not like to watch videos so I’m not really a very good opinion on what people like. I have found I’m really enjoying making them though.
Here’s the video: Finding Inspiration
Thanks a lot ~ you can leave your comments at youtube or come back here, whatever works for you.
Thanks again.
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I agree, sometimes walking away and stepping back from the pressure is all you can do. Somedays you have it and somedays you don't. Human nature. And if anyone says they have it everday, their lying.
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