Here’s some good stuff that’s working for me when it comes to writing and not spending time pushing the boulder uphill.
Maybe you’ll find these useful to ponder…
1. Never sit down to write at a blank screen or sheet of paper
Always be collecting ideas, stories, topics to write about as you go through your day. So you have a pool to dip into when writing time arrives.
For deciding what to write for my daily email, it’s a matter of casting my eye over my ideas list and writing about whatever catches my interest at the time.
For many of the daily emails I write, I’ve worked out the topic at least the day before. And sometimes sketched an outline.
Then when I come back the next day there’s no question about what to write about.
It’s my not-quite-patented-yet Writer’s Block Begone method.
Now, if it’s something like a blog post or article then the golden rule is: research, research, research.
With a page full of research… you’re already flying.
2. Use your brain as as the idea-generating, problem-solving supercomputer that it is
It would be great to just flick on a switch and dump out a quality article or email.
And if you can do it… good for you!
For the rest of us mere mortals…
It’s more like cooking in a crockpot.
You put in the ingredients according to the recipe. Let things simmer and cook. And after hours (or longer) out comes the flavorful dish —
The problem solved. The great idea. The clarity for the next step in your business.
So, when you’ve read and thought enough about the topic. Walk away.
Ideas tend to flow when you give you brain a rest from actively thinking about it.
Doing this requires a rested, low stressed, well nourished brain… and giving space for the magic to happen.
3. Reduce distractions
Flight mode on devices is your friend.
On my main computer where I work most of the time… I use multiple desktops so I only have my current work showing.
Doing things like closing unneeded browser windows can also help. The idea being… there’s nothing there to catch your eye and distract.
A calm, tidy work environment might help as well. For a long time it was my ideal.
But recently I’ve learnt to write with mess around me. Because I realised the worst clutter was in fact in my mind. And if I deal with that then the clutter around me isn’t much of a distraction at all.
It helps to know yourself enough so you antennae are up for when temptations to be distracted are strongest…
Y’know… to be able to catch youself before flicking over to Facebook, or YouTube or whatever… just because the thinking and writing got a litte bit hard.
4. Never write and edit at the same time
Our brains work well focusing on one thing.
Even though it’s the same article, email or whatnot… the tasks of writing and editing are two distinct activities.
Moving between them requires productivity-killing context switching. And it’s so easy to lose that sense of “flow”.
I’m not saying you can’t do both crammed together if you’re in a bind. But even then… the better way is to write quickly first. Then edit afterwards.
The ideal, of course, is to write fast then have a decent break. Edit slower a few hours or, even better, a day or more later.
If you’re like me… the writing part isn’t quite as fun as the editing part. So it’s nice to balance up the production process with a more positive ending.
5. Know when to leave it for later
When you start yawning your head off at 1:30am… it’s probably a good idea to call it a day.
Pushing through tiredness is not worth it. Productivity drops off a cliff.
And I just end up feeling shattered the next day… not at all optimal for writing.
Of course, sometimes life happens and deadlines are tight. I get it.
But wherever possible… just go with your body’s awakeness and energy levels.
There you have it.
Obviously your mileage may vary with these things…
But the key message… which I think applies to all creative work like writing… is:
Give space for your brain do its best work.
Do any of these 5 things stand out for you?
P.S. And, yep… this email I put together over 2 days. First day was idea dumping onto the page and some initial writing. Second day was more writing to get thoughts clearer. Then a couple of hours break. Some editing passes. Then scheduling. 🤓
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EmailForTheWin.com
Chris Milham