The common issue in my coaching work this week has been "writers block".
Now, the interesting thing is that you don’t have to be making a living as a writer, or trying to make a living as a writer to suffer from Writers Block.
You just have to be in that messy situation where you a) have to write something in order for something important to happen and b) you can’t write a damn thing.
For example, you need to write the copy for your web site. Or, you have a chapter to write for your thesis. Or, well … you name it.
So, you sit there… staring at a blank computer screen. Nothing’s coming. Brain’s empty. Bum’s getting itchy. Frustration’s climbing. But, zip. Nada. Nothing.
What can you do?
Ask yourself this question, "Who is making me stuck?"
9 times out of 10 you’ll get an answer.
Frequently, you’ll find that the stuckness is embodied in a single VOICE. A voice from the past.
My voice is female. And, sounds a hell of lot like my step-mother. Step mom was (is) a perfectionists. Nothing I did (or so the story I tell myself says) was ever good enough for her.
So, like her I was a Perfectionist. Now, I’m a Recovering Perfectionist — on my worst days. And, on most days an ordinary Joe, who just happens to be compelled to write, and who has perfectionistic tendencies. Notice that’s progress.
So, who’s sitting there up in your noggin? Critiquing your work. Or, worse yet calling you such choice names that you can’t even write 1 damn word!
Nail their butts to the wall.
Cut off their dialogue. Metaphorically or actually stick your fingers in your ears. Tell them, "Shut up! Bugger off! I’m NOT LISTENING TO YOU!"
And, write.
Who gives a rats ass if it’s not Pulitzer Prize prose?
Write it.
Then polish it.
Good enough … is good enough.
What gets put on the page can get improved.
At least, it’s THERE… and not lost in your head.
