1. Slow down. Many times the inability to write is caused by mental distraction. That is, the day’s worries or concerns are occupying our mind and preventing you from focusing. To relax the mind and move into an effortless writing mode try slowing your breath for 10 counts. As you do so relax your body parts (jaw, neck, stomach especially). You’ll find your ability to write clearly improves.
2. Speak in your own tone of voice. Write in your normal voice, conversationally, with your own writing “isms” and quirks. Let it flow and get the ideas down. You can edit your copy later.
3. Think first, write second. Sometimes I will stare at a page hoping for the words to come and they don’t. I find if I step away from the laptop, slow down, and think about what I want to communicate first, the ideas will com. Then I run back to my laptop and it all flows out.
4. Think draft – take the pressure off. Realize that when you start to write, it’s just a draft. You will most likely edit it later on. And also remember, websites are meant to be edited, updated, and enhanced.
5. If you struggle to write, then speak. Your ability to type might be slower than your ability to think. This disrupts your writing flow. In that case, try getting a recording device, and just speak your mind into the recording. Then, when you’re done recording, replay and write it out.
6. Shift into the mind of your target audience and give them your heart. You may be wondering if your writing is any good – if your reader will like it. That may mean you’re not writing with your reader in mind. In that case, take a minute and imagine one person who is in your target audience – such as a past client who got a lot of help from you. Imagine you are right there with that person, sitting over coffee – connected and eager to help them. What are they thinking? What’s keeping them up at night? What do they struggle with? What do they want in the end? What do they really want in the end? How do you feel about wanting to help them? Feel your heart warming up? You’ll get ideas on what to write about to help them.
7. Use a simple article writing formula. When writing articles, one good method is to think about a very specific challenge your clients or target market faces. Then think about a specific tip, tool, or trick that can help them along the path to success.
For example, let’s say a challenge is to stop smoking. Just off the top of my head, one trigger is a smoking buddy asking you to go out for a smoke break. A tip could be to send an email (or text message) right now to your smoking buddy ask him to help you out. Ask him to NOT invite you for a smoke break and instead congratulate you for not smoking that day. Maybe you can save Fridays for the reward smoke day, where you will share one cigarette with your buddy.
8. If you get stuck writing because you feel pressure to make it perfect, then consider this mindset. Let go of trying being perfect. Let go of trying to be smart or to trying to know it all. Relax yourself (10 intentionally slow breaths is good here) and let go of your current state of perfection. Instead, shift over to the feeling of writing to simply be helpful, writing to share ideas, and writing to connect with your reader.
9. Do you have too many ideas when writing? Is your article growing too big? Realize you don’t need to say everything under the sun when writing. There will be an endless supply of ideas, related points, and tangents that you can go in to. Save those other idea for other articles. Even write them down on a separate list for future article ideas.
In conclusion, if you’re out of the zone and are struggling to write try to decipher why that is. Then apply one of the various techniques above to help you get in the flow.
