Never happened to you... right? *smile*
There are honestly some days where you simply do not have the energy or inspiration to drop that blog post.
You’ve probably been there many times before, right? (In fact, I was there while I was writing this post!)
The challenge that we face is to not become a Blogging Zombie and to continue moving forward at all times, despite our lack of creativity, energy, and zest!
Here are some things that I do to break the hurdle of writers block:
- Get up, walk around, and even dance. Maybe even exercise! Moving my body does wonders for me!
- Go chat with someone that I care about. I get tons of inspiration from those that I love.
- Visit StumbleUpon. Enough said! The catch is limiting your exposure. I give myself 10-15 minutes max and then get back to work.
- Eat something. Snack. This is not procrastination if done well! (But don’t eat too much!)
- Take a nap or read. I have to choose one and then commit! Again, set a time limit!
What about you? How do you keep the zombie from showing up?
I use SU as well. And limiting exposure is hard to do.
My favorite thing to do is go and look out the window for a while.
do you stand up or just sit down and think?
Funny you should ask, I just wrote a post on this a few weeks ago. My strategy is similar.
http://www.freshroastcreative.com/blog/lessons/tips-for-getting-past-your-creative-block/
oh. nice! i like “plow through”…..!
Hey John! Sometimes when I have writer’s block I go back and read through my favorites on twitter or my starred items in google reader to jog my thoughts and see things from a new perspective.
that is a good suggestion!
Hmm never thought about stumbleupon!!
Great ideas brother!
dude. love that site.
Fresh air is a big help. Generally, my writing is done inside. If I hit a block, getting outside a for a few minutes is re-energizing.
does wonders for my head. agreed! do you just walk around or just stand?
I’m a big pacer- inside and out.
Walk around definitely! What about you, walk around or stand?
walk. pace actually.
I don’t think I write quite enough to get writer’s block
You write a lot across many web properties, so that’s a ton of output. I’ve been doing about 4-5 posts per week, and I’ve been finding the editorial calendar plugin from WordPress to be extremely helpful. I just make sure to quickly write down any ideas I have in there, and so I always know what I need to be writing on next.
But I get a lot of ideas just from questions that I get from reading different things. I have questions about how to do something, then I research it, try it out, and write about it.
Like…for example…and you can take this one if you wish and write about it. I’ve been hearing a lot lately about how easy it is for people to get your info when you’re on a public wifi through a new plugin in firefox called “firesheep” and they talk about how the best way to protect yourself is to use some kind of virtual private network (vpn).
I know that you spend a lot of time in coffee shops where you get a lot of work done (as do I), and I was wondering how I can protect myself, or set up some kind of vpn so people can’t hack into my info.
So, anyhoo….to answer your question completely, I think number two on your list is probably one of my top ones. Interacting with people always brings me inspiration and questions!
i try to use a secure connection when i’m out there. it is definitely dangerous….!
How do you do this, though? What do you use to establish a secure connection?
and i use blacksheep. google that.
StumbleUpon is a dangerous place for me….I could spend hours there.
limits my friend…..
how are things in nash-vegas?
Yep…talking with someone you love is inspiring. The most effective for me when facing writer’s block (and I have had this more in writing for print media than blogging, since that has been my main experience until recently) is…
1. Getting out of the office and engaging in light conversation with others in the building.
2. Going to Starbucks or other location that gives me a change of scenery.
3. Exercies. If I have time, going for a run or going to the gym for a workout helps. Short of having that time, just a walk around the grounds in fresh air works wonders.
4. Taking a nap or just stretching out on the sofa in my office, lights low and eyes closed. Fifteen minutes of this can clear my head and give me a new start.
ahhhhhhhhh. #4 sounds awesome… right now…… and it’s 9:30am….
I like to write a little every day like doing drafts and then when my thoughts are on writing I may knock out three or four posts in a day. I have learned how to schedule blog posts and that has helped me a lot. I currently have two weeks of posts scheduled and that also gives me time to write a post at leisure or do other things like read a book.
holy cow. that’s a lot of weeks ahead! how many posts do you publish a week?
I usually publish one a day. I schedule all my posts to drop at the same time each day.
very good!
StumbleUpon is freaking awesome!
haha. seriously.
Getting away from the computer is a must. Not thinking about blogging helps with coming up with post ideas.
yup. the computer can be a sinkhole.
Before my new blog, I was writing for an old one three to five times per week consistently. The single best strategy I’ve found for avoiding writer’s block is similar to Jimmy’s above. Schedule and outline.
If you don’t know what you’re going to write before you sit down at your computer, stop. Instead you should brainstorm something like the next 5 post titles you’ll publish and then go through each one and outline the headline titles.
For me this was always structured enough that I could consistently pump out a good amount of content, but also vague enough that it didn’t seem mechanical and uninteresting. Plus, if you’re planning ahead you’re able to harness inspiration whenever it hits you. You don’t have to try and coax it out just because you have a deadline.
For those interested, I’m finding that Workflowy is the best way to get things organized (I’m an outline/list kind of person). http://workflowy.com/
Wow……… Bro……….. i just signed up for workflowy and it’s pretty darn cool…..!
going to try it out a bit….
THANKS!
Awesome! Glad I could point you to it.
Workflowy looks very cool…and operates the way I process mentally as well. Just signed up to give it a try myself as well. Thanks for the recommendation!
Same with me. I can process things better if I see them all laid out. Workflowy is what I had been doing with text files, except it’s easier to sort and organize.
I keep a notes folder on my phone and log in blog post ideas all the time as the inspiration hits regardless of where I am as it does. Have found this to be really helpful when I feel blocked. I just scroll through the list, which is quite large by now, and get reinspired. My issue is actually carving out the time to write the stinkin post!
notes folder? using what app?
Blackberry… just the native NOTES app. Nothing fancy. I just open it and type a headline that comes to mind and maybe a few lines of narrative to remind me of the thought. I also use voice notes (recording notes via voice) when I am driving and an idea comes to mind. Ideas come at the strangest times for me and in everyday interactions.
voice notes is something i’ve just gotten more used to. haven’t worked it completely into my workflow.
Thanks for the tips John.
just a few. not all of them work for everybody!
John, it – blogging – all looks so good on paper or online (and I have all of this great info saved in Evernote – my new best friend); but it is pretty frustrating when you have committed to one post per day but get distracted with the things of life and have not posted for several days.
Frustrated… from a newbie.
Good news is: I used your latest post (11-15-2010) as an example in a meeting today; and everyone liked your relaxed style and transparent attitude.
sweet! that is awesome. thanks so much!