NO MOTIVATION TO WRITE?

You Don’t Need Motivation to Write, You Need This 5-Step System

I Didn’t Feel Like Writing This Article. This Helped Me Write It Anyway

Photo by Alexander Polous on Unsplash

Are you experiencing writer’s block?

It is something that no one whose job involves writing looks forward to, but it is still something we all go through. That dreadfully feeling of not wanting to write anything, although you probably should or need to, is never pleasant.

I’ve been writing for more than 8 years, and in those years, I’ve tried everything to get out of writer’s block as soon as possible.

Here are 5 proven methods that will help you push through a lack of motivation to write.

I know how hard it can be to actually start and write a blog post when you just can’t make yourself do it. I wish I had known this when I just started my blogging journey, as it would have helped me be more consistent.

Follow these tips and get out of writer’s block at any time.

5 proven methods that will help you start writing

1. Have different topics choices

Sometimes the problem really isn’t you; it is the topic you chose. There is nothing worse than forcing yourself to write about something you just don’t feel passionate about, right now. Having only one topic and then that being something you just can’t make yourself write anything about is just not going to make you go anywhere. Before you start writing, it is best to brainstorm a few topic ideas you find interesting. Even if you have a list of all the topics, there is a chance that you are not that interested in them anymore.

So go on Instagram, Pinterest, Google, and all the other social media where you can find inspiration. Never set in stone what you want to write about, as it will constantly change. Sometimes you can find what to write about if you just think about things you’ve been loving lately, found a solution to, or talked to someone about. You really don’t need to go to find a topic that will spark that writing motivation. The great thing about those kinds of topics is that not only will you get in the mood to write, but you will write it much quicker.

TIP: To always stay organized, get yourself a notebook where you can write all of your ideas.

2. Open the blank page

If you have a topic but still have trouble getting words out, then just opening the blank page could help you. Most of the time, we just feel overwhelmed, and the thought of writing makes us anxious. The first step you need to take is either to grab a pen and paper or open a Word document. Write the title down, and if you can’t think about anything else to write, that’s okay. Live it like that and then try again later. The next time, you’ll probably feel better, as you already made that first and hardest move.

When we don’t feel like doing something, it is probably because of some other reason we are not even aware of. When it comes to writing a blog post, maybe you feel pressured to write that perfect blog post, or you are afraid of what response you will get. Worrying about things like that beforehand is just taking you away from the beauty of writing. Always remind yourself that it doesn’t need to be perfect; it only needs to get across your thoughts and opinions.

Photo by Alexander Polous on Unsplash

3. Write bullet points

In case the topic you write about is complex and you just don’t know where to start and how to combine everything you need to say, then bullet points are your best friends. Just write as many bullet points as you can at first. Then you’ll probably connect some and get rid of other ones. Dividing your post into sections will make it much clearer and easier to know what exactly you want to focus on. There is always a possibility of going too broad or narrow, and bullet points are here to keep you on the right track. I personally write minor headings and subheadings.

Sometimes the introduction may be the trickiest part, so the best would be to leave it for the end. First, write the body structure and then write an introduction and conclusion. This way, you will have a smaller part of the post to write, and you’ll be able to do it without too much trouble. It is all into tricking your brain to get things done even when it is refusing to do so. Once you find the way that works best for you, you’ll be able to get out of the writing burnout much quicker.

4. Set a 30-minute timer

This is the trick that works most of the time. It is especially useful if you have a deadline. You don’t need anything fancy. Just grab your phone and set a 30-minute timer. During those 30 minutes, set everything aside and only focus on writing. This will help you to concentrate better, and with that, you’ll be much more productive. Most of the time, you will write even after 30 minutes have passed, as you’ll get in the flow.

Another thing I would recommend is the Pomodoro method. I talked about it before, and it is something that helped me be productive a lot. The Pomodoro method is based on a timer to break down work into intervals, mostly 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. There are usually 4 intervals that are 25 minutes long, but you can adjust that to your needs. Between each interval, you can take a 5-minute break and then keep on writing.

TIP: If you don’t want to get distracted, you can buy a countdown clock. If you want to learn more about different productivity methods, check out my ebook.

5. Write now, edit later

The worst thing you can do when you finally get that little bit of motivation to write is to censure yourself. The first draft doesn’t need to be even close to perfection. If you stop and overthink every single sentence, then you will just lose any motivation to finish this article. You can’t expect that you will have a polished and ready-to-publish post immediately after you write it. This will only lead to mistakes and half-done work. Proofreading and editing, as boring as they can be, are some of the most important parts of writing.

I’m not saying that there are not some people who have a gift for writing and produce a perfect article from a first try. I’m just saying that it is better to be safe than sorry. Getting the writing flow and going with it without thinking too much about perfection is what will save you a lot of time. It is much easier to edit a written post than to stop after every sentence. Most of the time, editing will just take you a few more minutes to tweak some parts and notice any grammar or structure mistakes you made. If you use Grammarly, it will take you even less time to edit your post.

This post was previously posted on sweetpassions.net.

Edited for Word Garden by Wandering Mind