How to get in the mood to write

Do you procrastinate or postpone anything that involves writing or content creation?

I feel you! Even for pro writers who do this day in and day out, it’s such a common frustration.

You want to create content (newsletters, blog posts, social media updates, etc.), but then…

Uggggh.

You get distracted because your dog needs a walk. Or your laundry needs folding. Or you suddenly feel an intense urge to Google “What happened to all of the cast members from Saved by the Bell?” and read all of the Extremely Important Wikipedia Articles.

Pretty soon, the whole day has evaporated. Now it’s getting late, you’ve got even less motivation than before, and while you know everything about Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s first and second marriages, you’ve also done… zero writing. It’s the worst.

I’ve been there. I know how annoying it feels when you just can’t seem to start—or finish—a creative project that you really want to complete.

Here are some words of encouragement & perspectives that have helped me:

☕ Even “the pros” struggle to get motivated, too.

I’m a professional screenwriter, and I spend lots of time hanging out with other professional writers. Here’s a dirty little secret: everyone procrastinates. For many writers—even NY Times bestselling authors and sought-after screenwriters—resisting the urge to procrastinate is a daily struggle.

☕ Everyone has a completely unique “content creation process.”

Some people love writing “a little bit every day.” I do not. I like to schedule a handful of big writing days per month (called “batch days.”) When the next scheduled day rolls around, I write a ton of material in one, long, mostly-uninterrupted burst. It’s like baking a whole bunch of word-cookies all at once.

I know plenty of people who stick with a consistent “30 minutes per day” writing routine. Other people like to write in coffee shops, but don’t like to write at home. Some people like to listen to music, and others prefer total silence.

Bottom line: just because your favorite entrepreneur swears that “creating content first thing in the morning is always best” or that you should “definitely write every single day,” that doesn’t mean you need to blindly follow that advice. Try it out, sure. But know that your process is going to be just as unique as you are.

☕ When nothing is flowing, stop… and “find the heat.”

There are certain topics and issues that make you feel fiery and excited, almost like there’s “heat” building in your chest. Maybe you get fired up about interior design—you’re so passionate about helping people to create their dream home on a budget, and you’re bursting with tips to share! Or maybe you get fired up about psychology—you love showing people different ways to manage anxiety and conquer their fears. We all have “something” that heats us up.

When you feel really stuck and unmotivated with your writing, take a moment to pause, and ask yourself, “What makes me really excited?” “What makes me really angry?” “What’s something that drives me crazy?” “What’s something that I wish more people would start doing, or stop doing?”

Take a walk around the block, ponder those questions, and record a voice memo on your phone if you get a sudden burst of inspiration. Then head back to your desk and start writing about a topic that really excites you. I call this: “writing from the heat.” You’re writing from a fiery, passionate place… which means the words will flow much faster, and your writing will be emotionally charged and exciting to read.

And lastly:

☕ Be kind to yourself. (Please.)

If someone tossed you a violin today, you wouldn’t expect yourself to be able to play a symphony, instantly, with zero training or practice. Writing is a specialized skill, just like playing an instrument. It takes time to build competence and confidence. So, if you’ve been placing unreasonably harsh expectations on yourself, try to lighten up.

I know it’s not always easy, but try to talk to yourself like a supportive best friend.

Say: “Hey, you finished writing a newsletter! Aw yeah!!!” not “It took you THAT long to write just ONE blog post? Ugh, you’re so slow.”

Being mean to yourself doesn’t make you more creative, and it definitely doesn’t help you to write faster! Try to be patient and kind to yourself. It makes a huge difference.

Bottom line:

Writing content shouldn’t feel like a miserable chore. It should feel fun & pleasurable.

If you need some extra support & encouragement around writing and creating content for your business – check out my latest class Binge-Worthy Content.

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