| Writer's Block is a myth. | | | | tools I've EVER discovered as a professional |
| There's no such thing. | | | | writer. They prime the pump, get the creative |
| See, writing is an extension of thinking. | | | | shanks out and allow your best material to |
| So, if you hear someone complaining about her | | | | surface. And if you make them a habit every |
| insufferable "Writer's Block," what she's REALLY | | | | single morning, you will NEVER have Thinker's |
| complaining about is her "Thinker's Block." | | | | Block again. Read how to do Morning Pages here. |
| Because she's not asking enough questions. | | | | 9. Exercise every day. Even if it's just a |
| Because she's not taking daily time to think. | | | | fifteen-minute walk. It's the best way to get the |
| Because she's not maintaining constant curiosity. | | | | endorphins and dopamine flowing. Best legal high in |
| Because she's not viewing the world through her | | | | the world. Best source of ideas in the world. Plus |
| unique lens. | | | | it's, like, good for your health and stuff. |
| Those are just (some) of the causes of Thinker's | | | | 10. Easy Does It. Keep running lists of quotes, |
| Block. | | | | one-liners, great ideas, cool words, websites, |
| So, if you want to avoid it, remember these six | | | | pieces of advices and short thoughts. Start |
| words: | | | | documents called "Quotes" and "Ideas." Just list |
| CREATE A CONSTANT STREAM OF IDEAS! | | | | them and updated them daily. No explanations. |
| Here's a list of fifteen ways to do so: | | | | Just list. By recording your incomplete, |
| 1. U NEED 2 REED EVERY DAY. This is the #1 | | | | fragmentary association process, you stimulate |
| reason people suffer from Thinker's Block: they | | | | and inspire highly saturated streams of thought. |
| don't read. (And no, US Weekly doesn't count!) I'm | | | | 11. Perpetually hunt for insight. Inspiration comes |
| talking about BOOKS. Old and new. Every single | | | | unannounced! And your constant stream of ideas |
| day. Also, I suggest reading more than one book | | | | flows everywhere. So, actively respond to life. |
| at once. Keep reading material in your car, | | | | Maintain childlike curiosity and ask, "Why?" to |
| bathroom, briefcase, gym bag, desk and | | | | everything you see, hear and experience. |
| anywhere else you spend a lot of time. | | | | 12. Prime your brain. Each morning, affirm that |
| 2. Copy your notes. Don't just read; STUDY! Take | | | | new ideas, concepts and thoughts will come into |
| copious notes. Write related ideas in the margins. | | | | your mind. Maintain a receptive and creative |
| When you're done, re-copy your notes onto your | | | | posture for your mind. Meditate daily. Have daily |
| computer. Store them in a folder called "Book | | | | appointments with yourself to mentally prepare |
| Notes." Revisit them regularly to refresh your | | | | your mind to accept ideas from all sources. Prime |
| melon. | | | | your brain and the ideas will come. |
| 3. Write everything down. Writing is the basis of | | | | 13. Stop organizing. Premature organizing stifles |
| all wealth. And if you don't write it down, it never | | | | idea generation. Just get it down. Make lots of lists. |
| happened. That's all I have to say about that. | | | | Order comes later. First, puke everything out. |
| 4. Everything communicates something. But are | | | | Don't stop until your cashed. |
| you paying attention? Probably not. And sure, it's | | | | 14. Ask and you shall receive. Questions are the |
| hard. Especially in such a fast-paced society. So, | | | | basis of all creativity, discoveries, innovation, |
| remember the words of Ferris Bueller: "Life move | | | | knowledge, learning and understanding. So, you |
| pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around | | | | need to have a readily available list of questions |
| once in a while - you could miss it." What does | | | | you ask yourself on a daily basis. |
| your hurried lifestyle make you miss out on? | | | | 15. Punch yourself in the face. Consider writing |
| 5. Soften your eyes. Literally AND metaphorically. | | | | your motivational questions on sticky notes or on |
| It's about slowing down and noticing the novelties | | | | your wall. By keeping them in front of your face |
| of life. It's about being more mindful of your | | | | at all times, you will challenge yourself AND keep |
| surroundings. Studying ordinary things intently. Are | | | | yourself creativity accountable. Potential questions |
| you making the mundane memorable? | | | | include, "What did you write today?" and "Is |
| 6. Think on paper. That way you won't have to | | | | everything you know written down somewhere?" |
| remember anything. So, based on your learning | | | | REMEMBER: questions are ideas waiting to happen. |
| style, use flip charts, whiteboards, voice | | | | With these fifteen ways to create a constant |
| recognition software, note cards or mind maps to | | | | stream of ideas, you melon will be motivated |
| record your thoughts. | | | | from every possible angle. |
| 7. Capture, capture, capture. Don't (just) write | | | | And you'll never have to worry about Writer's (er, |
| stuff down. Take pictures. Rip articles out of | | | | Thinker's) Block again! |
| magazines. Pick up trash and keep it. Save | | | | LET ME ASK YA THIS... |
| voicemail messages. Keep key emails and letters. | | | | What did you write today? |
| Constantly update a folder full of scraps and ideas | | | | LET ME SUGGEST THIS... |
| you jotted down on vomit bags three months | | | | For the list called, "49 Ways to become an Idea |
| ago. You never know when a bad idea might | | | | Powerhouse," send an email to me, and I'll send |
| come in handy! | | | | you the list for free! |
| 8. Write Morning Pages. These are the single best | | | | |