by Your blog is new, or perhaps you’ve neglected it lately and haven’t written any new content. Maybe it’s just a case of writer’s block, or you just can’t seem to get motivated.
It happens.
We all get stuck once in a while. And if your blog is new, you know that missing too much time will only put you further behind the 8-ball.
Of course, when you start feeling like this, the pressure begins to build; you start obsessing over the fact that you’re not getting anything done, and you begin to freak out. Have you ever heard an athlete or musician talk about getting out of their head? Same thing.
You are now stuck in a spiral of despair…and it’s ruining your ability to create more content for your blog.
You’re stuck.
Get Unstuck to Create More Content for Your Blog
Stop what you’re doing for a second and focus on what you’re reading. I am about to tell you the secrets to the universe.
Ok, maybe it’s not that enlightening, but it will help you get unstuck.
When you can’t seem to generate ideas for more content for your blog, or perhaps you have the ideas but can’t find the words, you need to get your brain to recenter and refocus.
We all have our methods, but the first step is the most important.
Walk away. Just stop what you’re doing and walk away. Physically, get up and step far enough away from your computer that you can’t see the words on the screen.
Sitting with your laptop open or at your desk will only draw you deeper into the quagmire, so the best thing to do is to walk away.
We All Need Something to Clear Our Head
Everyone is different on these next steps, but the idea is the same. Get as far away from writing as you can for a few minutes.
- Take a shower.
- Read a book (for pleasure, not “The Great Big Book of Content Ideas for Your Blog.” (Side note: someone should write this book)
- Watch a bit of TV.
- Do some yoga.
- Go for a run or spend some time in the gym. (I hear this works; I have no personal proof.)
- Listen to music. Oddly enough, some studies have shown that the more loud and aggressive the music, the better it is at getting things off your mind. If you need recommendations for some albums that are good for that, let me know in the comments.
- Fix a cup of coffee or tea, grab a snack, or make yourself a nice dinner (not just a microwave tray of meh frozen food).
- Meditate.
- Sit in your backyard and listen to the sounds around you (nature is preferable, but there can be peace in the noise of the city, too – see the music item above).
You get the picture. Get away, forget about the content writing, and try and let your mind wander to other things.
Personally, music and reading often do it for me. If I’m in the mood, the act of making a cup of coffee can be useful, too.
You’re Not Alone, Content Creation Can Be Hard Work
Remember, you’re not alone in this. One of the worst things you can do for your mental state when you feel like you have nothing to write is to feel alone. You’re too stupid; you’re no good at this, no one reads your blog anyway, and you’re writing will never be as good as ___________ (insert your favorite blogger here).
Negative thoughts like these will only push you further.
Keep some positive motivation nearby for those times when you need a little boost. I have a little sticker that sits under my iPhone case that says, “I have what I need.” It reminds me that I am enough, have what I need, and there is nothing I can’t do if I decide to do it. I flip my phone over when I need to refocus my thoughts and get back to business.
But Wait, There’s More…
Once you’ve cleared your head, don’t return to the piece you were working on. Start a new post, work on another post, or jot down a list of ideas for future content.
You’ll get back to the original piece eventually, but jumping right back in and pressuring yourself to perform will, more often than not, just send you right back to the same place.
We all get trapped inside our heads, and the brain is a powerful thing, but with some simple tricks, you can learn to focus, realign, and get back to it. Spending hours and hours just staring at your blank screen will not accomplish it. It’s time to walk away (or you can always drop in and read my blog).
Do you have a favorite method of getting past those moments? What’s your secret to keeping the content flowing?
