Make a date with your document. Then allow for imperfection as you breathe your way to completion
Let’s face it — writing can be scary. Whether you are writing a report, performance review or proposal, or any business document, you worry about how your reader will respond. When your concerns about writing lead to an inability to start, work on or complete a writing task, you might suffer from writer’s block.
Writer’s block has many causes. When we write, we fear criticism and rejection — from bosses, customers or peers. Moreover, the prospect of writing may trigger traumatic memories of school when teachers shamed or belittled our efforts at self-expression.
In addition to fear of negative appraisal, pressure about the document’s outcome, such as a promotion, demotion or loss of a major sale, may make a person freeze with anxiety. Blocked writers might also be suffering from stress in some other area of their lives, such as the illness of a loved one or relationship problems at home.
And let’s not overlook anger and resentment. Many years ago, I asked a group of CPAs to share what thoughts crossed their mind when tasked with writing. One man stood up and said, “I think, ‘I want to kill the person who told me to write this!'” While that reaction is extreme, it’s not uncommon for business writers to resent their writing assignments. Naturally, feelings like these impair a person’s ability to think creatively.
Whether you write for business or pleasure, writer’s block will likely strike you at some point. Business people who can get past the barriers and commit themselves to paper or screen are more likely to get promoted, garner support for their ideas and create a positive impression.
No matter why you are experiencing writer’s block, you can break through it. Here are a few tools that professionals use.
Schedule time for writing.
Schedule time for writing.
For most of us, what goes in the calendar is what gets done. Yet we imagine that writing will somehow fit into our schedule. Free hours don’t just open up. So put your writing task in your calendar and honor your commitment. And resist the urge to check email or answer your phone while working.
Start anywhere.
You don’t have to start writing your document at the beginning. If you allow yourself to free-associate, writing whatever comes to mind, you loosen the chains that prevent you from writing what you should. For example, you might start by writing, “I don’t want to write because…” and see what flows out. It is also helpful to jot down a few ideas before you start drafting. A simple list can start your juices flowing.
Don’t strive for perfection.
As the French philosopher Voltaire, wrote, “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” Striving for a faultless first draft is a surefire path to brain freeze. So instead, accept that your document will require revision.
If you’re anxious about other people thinking you’re incompetent, remind yourself that you do not need to show your work to anyone until you are ready to share it. I’ve found that many people imagine that professional writers write perfect first drafts. If only they knew! Trust me — no one writes a perfect first draft.
Breathe deeply.
The fastest way to short-circuit anxiety and resistance to writing is to use our breathing to calm ourselves. Other relaxation techniques such as yoga are helpful, but the one method you can do anywhere is to breathe deeply.
If you are staring frozen at your computer screen, put your feet flat on the floor. Sit up straight. Inhale deeply through your nose. Imagine that the base of your belly is filling first. Slowly fill up to the top of your chest. Then exhale completely, hold the empty breath for a moment and repeat the process. You may only have to do this a few times before your head clears.
Writer’s block hits everyone. So if your writing responsibilities are hovering like a thundercloud over your head, follow the simple steps: Make a date with your writing assignment. Start anywhere. Allow for imperfections. Then breathe your way to completion.