Read This If You Have Writer's Block
I can't think of what to write.
I don't know what will resonate with people.
This idea could be better.
This idea should be better.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
That's one of those inner voices that is stopping you from starting.
So, how do I avoid writer's block?
I literally just start writing.
I start writing about whatever is happening, relevant, on my mind, happened recently, whatever.
The process of writing and turning a story or an idea into a lesson/action happens as I go.
This helps me beat "writer's block."
I also write like I talk, which means that what I write is easy to understand and easy to read--because you're busy and have stuff to do.
I love talking about this because I feel like it plagues so many people.
Start first. The thinking will follow. You can edit later.
Nike nailed this one with "Just Do It."
It's not just writers who get "writer's block."
It's entrepreneurs, teachers, consultants, physicists, and anyone else with a human brain.
You're not going to avoid feeling like you have it, but you can manage it when the feeling is upon you.
2 Minute Action:
What is something you've been avoiding?
Maybe something you've been waiting on something/someone else for?
What would happen if you had to execute anyway?
- If you're writing a book, a 2-minute version of that might be a blog post.
- If you're shooting a movie, a 2-minute version of that might be an Instagram live video.
- If you're writing software application, a 2-minute version of that might be a "hello world" script.
What else? I'd love to hear other ways you can take what you're working on and start with just 2 minutes of action.
If you're not sure or if you feel stuck, just reply/comment.
I bet we can find a solution, together.
How Advice Doesn’t Help and Neither Do Principles Nor Theories
Advice: Don’t solve other people’s problems.
Theory: Solving people’s problems robs them of their opportunity to grow.
Principle: Helping people means giving them the chance to succeed for themselves.
Action: “I can’t do this for you. You can do this and I believe in you.”
There are a few things we can learn by taking the same idea and executing it in different ways.
Advice might be accurate, but it usually doesn’t help unless it’s solicited. Even then, advice is often based on personal experience—so a lot of the time it’s just “here are the numbers I used to win the lottery.”
A theory attempts to be reasonable by sounding like a suggestion when really, most of us are just looking for a direct answer. (Not to be confused with a scientific theory, which is a declaration based on empirical data. The theory of gravity is not a suggestion, people.)
Principles can help guide but they can also be vaguely defined terms because they attempt to span so broadly. They also usually come along with deep seeded spiritual, religious, or political baggage that can create biases in judgment.
Action is what it is.
It walks the walk.
Examples:
“Just do it.”
“Be the change.”
"First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
“Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.”
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
2 Minute Action
What’s a principle, theory or advice you have for someone else?
How might you tell that person to take action?
Well, you can probably guess where I’m going with this.
That’s your action item for today.
Example:
“Practice random acts of kindness.”
- Take 2 minutes to say thank you to a co-worker.
- Take 2 minutes to leave a positive post-it note on a co-worker’s desk.
- Take 2 minutes to hide a love note in your partner’s car, backpack, or on their side of the bed.
Being positive and improving takes work every day.
That's what "practice" means.
Consistent, small, daily effort.
Let’s make it happen!
Here’s How To Do It When It Feels Imposs
You've heard me preach the 2 minute action for a while, but I sense that many people really believe that you can’t do anything in 2 minutes.
Well here’s the honest truth:
You can’t do what you want in 2 minutes.And you know what else?Do it anyway.You're never going to have enough time, money, people, whatever, insert excuse here.
This is the point that made Nike’s brand so powerful.
It will never be the perfect time.You will never feel completely rested.Opportunity will never look like the idea of opportunity you have in your mind.
Pause the narrative for a second.
Just start.Just go.Just do it!It’s not about having the right conditions to start, it’s about starting now, even when you can’t see the finish line.
Of course you can’t do it in 2 minutes.
Do it anyway.
2 Minute Action:
Most big actions are actually made up of lots of little actions.If you had a gun to your head and you HAD to start on your idea/project/dream, how would you spend your 2 minutes?Your call, today.Just like always.