Let’s face it writing quality content is really hard work, but when you combine that with writers block it can be an absolute nightmare.

So what can you do? How do you combat writers block?

You get yourself armed and ready. Preparation is the key.

You don’t wait until it strikes, but rather have everything set up for when it does that way you can deal with it head on.

Having ideas and topics ready to review, building outlines, and just giving yourself the freedom to write without expectations will get rid of the block.

Techniques to Combat Your Writers Block

1. Create an IDEAS Folder

As you are surfing the Internet and come across articles, images, videos, infographics…anything that inspires you or makes you feel good grab it.

Why?

Because when we feel good that means that we are releasing hormones and neurons are firing. Then that feeling is attached to whatever the source is and that combination is sent to our memory bank. So later on when we go to re-visit the source through our recall those neurons will fire again.

So if you feel inspired by something. Maybe you see an article and think ‘hey, that would be a great topic to write about…’ But now is not the right time. Then you need to save it.

Give yourself a few minutes to get excited about what you see. Maybe envision the article that you will write. This way you are storing all of that into your memory so when you are trying to combat writers block you have a means of getting your neurons firing automatically.

A great tool for saving all of those things that inspire you is Icebergs. It lets you organize all of your content visually. Create a category or multiple categories for ideas and inspiration. Or you can have a folder called ‘Writers Block’ that you purposely use only when you’re really struggling.

Icebergs lets you save anything from the Internet. You can save images just by dragging them into the download field. Highlight text and drag that. grab videos, or simply just bookmark the page. Before you know it you will have a visual wall of inspiration and be armed to tackle writers block.

2. Create an Outline

An outline essentially tells you exactly what you are going to write about, which is often one of the biggest hurdles with writers block.

A recent article in Plos.org suggested the following…

Sketch down the key points you want to make in each paragraph, and write as much information about each paragraph as you can without losing momentum. This is a good way to conceptualize your work. By the end, you should have something like this:

Paragraph 1: Open with a scene about writers block
Paragraph 2: Describe writers block, transition into list
Paragraph 3: Start outlining key points
etc   via On overcoming writer’s block – Sci-Ed

There are a number of different tools and ways that you can go about creating your outline. Any word processing software will work, but here are a few suggestions if you want to get a little creative.

a. Use a Mind Map Tool Like XMind

Mind mapping is an excellent way of building your outline. The benefits of course being the ability to add and move content around extremely easily.

XMind is a great mind mapping tool. It is an open source project, which means that it is free to use and free to download forever. You can grab it here.

b. Use a List Building Tool Like WorkFlowy

The best way to use WorkFlowy to build an outline is to use the list title as your chapter title and then all the sub-headings or sub-categories should be questions or topic areas that you cover in that chapter. You can learn more about WorkFlowy by visiting their site.

3. Start Writing

In his book ‘Writing Fast: How to Write Anything with Lightening Speed’ Jeff Bollow says that the secret to overcoming writers block is to give yourself permission to write garbage. He claims that this is an instant cure that will allow your creative flow to get realigned.

In many ways it makes sense. We often get in our own way by putting too many expectations on ourselves. We want to have the perfect idea. We want to be able to say it in just the right way and so forth.

Get out of your own way and start writing. It’s not a matter of what you are writing, but rather that you are writing. Fixing it up comes later.