by Brian Dooley

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: January 15, 2010

Four tips to help work through the madness

Whether you're a freelance or a professional, it happens to each of us. It's like the itch that won't go away. And the more you scratch the worse it gets.

The greatest aspect of our human mind, is that it's always working. It doesn't pause, it doesn't shut down and it never stops trying. So while you're wrestling with a momentary lapse of inspiration, take comfort that it's simply gone into "Mute" mode.

Because our subconscious truly is always active, the secret when we just can't seem to find the right words, is to step back, and let the brain run without us pushing. I've found four keys that will tear down the wall:

♦ One Walk away.

Actually get up from your desk or table, and take you mind off the page. Go get a drink, make some food or run an errand. By allowing your subconscious the time to process the information you've been writing research shows that it begins creating new thoughts, ones full of with new ways to express them.

♦ Two Start writing something else.

Maybe there's another article you can start working on. Or get back to the book you promised yourself you'd get around to penning. The mind sometimes plays hide-and-seek, in that, if you pretend you're not looking, it jumps out of the dark shouting "Surprise"!

♦ Three Ask someone else to read what you've written so far.

As you start to interact with other people about your work, new ideas can often come to light. Maybe they can point out something you hadn't thought of. Sometimes those little embers of glowing ideas can be the catalyst for a roaring blaze.

♦ Four Read. Often times another writers' work will inspire you.

Are you having trouble even starting? Sitting there staring at a blank page? Remember, "The Journey of a Thousand steps, starts with the first." The easiest way to begin, is just to Begin. Start typing or writing what ever thoughts come to mind. Trust in the fact that your skills can help you shape them into a work of art! Like a lump of clay, it's not much to look a when the potter first touches it. But as the wheel starts spinning, a hidden "David" emerges!

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