Summary: We've just finished a series of blog posts on fear and how to overcome it. This week's news about the Bystander Effect has compelled me to ask you for your personal experiences with bravery ...
I was appalled to read the news headlines this week about the many cases of people in dire need of help who publicly went ignored, such as Kitty Genovese in 1964 and the most recent case of Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax.
In both of these cases, large numbers of people stood by as someone was assaulted and eventually murdered, watching various portions of the assault in plain view. Because of the publicity received in the 1964 case, this sadly common occurrence has come to be known as the Genovese Bystander Effect.
How does it work? Part of our brains' survivalist instinct knows that each of us is safer in a group. (If a Tyrannosaurus is busy gobbling up your friend, chances are greater that you can run to the safety of a cave in the meantime.) Growing up, I had a friend whose mother used to tell her to stick with the pack--and to turn tail and run to hide if someone shady approached, because of the "safety in numbers."
It's this safety-in-numbers mentality that often causes people in a group to not act when someone outside of the group needs help. People assume someone else is "doing something about it" (although just what is unclear). The converse is true for groups when just one person takes a step toward action. Acts of kindness--and bravery--spur on other such acts that become contagious to the group, studies show. Gail's story (shared on my Facebook fan page) shows this:
"A few years ago I decided to buy some makeup on my lunch hour. I was at the counter paying for my purchases, when from behind me I heard something like, 'This is a stick up. Put all your money in the bag.' When I turned around, a masked man was pointing a gun at me. He was actually talking to the cashier who was in front of me. After she took the money out of the cash register and put it in his brown paper bag, he directed everyone in the store (abut 15-20 customers) to go to the back room and get in a very, very small closet. He sent in a paper bag and told everyone to put all their cash in the bag and pass it back out to him, then 'shut the door and don't come out.' There was no light in the closet--pitch dark--and we were crammed in like sardines! He proceeded to steal items from the store and leave.
"We didn't know when it was safe to make a noise or come out. Finally, (someone) cracked the door and I hollered out, 'Hello. Are you there.' That was my little bit of bravery, wondering if he was going to come back and ask who said that! He was caught a couple of weeks later, robbing another business."
As a group, bravery became contagious at the end of the burglary. One person's cracking the door allowed Gail to contribute her voice to their attempted 'escape' from the closet. Can you imagine how much longer their terror could have lasted if no one had been willing to defy the thief's directive?
How have you bravely contributed (or stood by hoping another will put things right) to a situation that caused you fear? Share your stories--and I'll share mine later this week.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Showing posts with label overcoming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label overcoming. Show all posts
Apr 28, 2010
Apr 21, 2010
New Poll: How Do You Overcome Fear?
Summary: In my new blog poll (located in the left-hand column of the web page), I ask you to share just how you overcome fear. If you can't answer that question, what's holding you back?
The new burning question on the Beyond Talk blog is "How do you overcome fear?"
We've been learning about ways to do this for weeks now (years really, if you search the blog archive in the left-hand column). But I'm not interested in hearing what we've learned together. I'm interested in hearing what works for you. How do you, personally, overcome your own fears? Even if the answer is something that we have covered here, I want to know: What do you do when fear trips you up and threatens your ability to communicate clearly, either to yourself or to others?
You can take the poll (also located in the left-hand side of the page near the top). And you can also respond in the comments section to this blog post. If you're a Facebook fan and you're reading this in my Facebook Notes, you can comment there. And if we're connected on LinkedIn, feel free to drop me a message with your answers!
Share your strength with the world today. ... C'mon, don't be chicken!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
The new burning question on the Beyond Talk blog is "How do you overcome fear?"
We've been learning about ways to do this for weeks now (years really, if you search the blog archive in the left-hand column). But I'm not interested in hearing what we've learned together. I'm interested in hearing what works for you. How do you, personally, overcome your own fears? Even if the answer is something that we have covered here, I want to know: What do you do when fear trips you up and threatens your ability to communicate clearly, either to yourself or to others?
You can take the poll (also located in the left-hand side of the page near the top). And you can also respond in the comments section to this blog post. If you're a Facebook fan and you're reading this in my Facebook Notes, you can comment there. And if we're connected on LinkedIn, feel free to drop me a message with your answers!
Share your strength with the world today. ... C'mon, don't be chicken!
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Apr 14, 2010
Fight Fear with Positive Thinking
Summary: Fear and other negative emotions can routinely block you from living your most successful life. This post contains a straight-forward, seven-step process for quickly converting fear to confidence. And it all takes place in your own head!
The power of positive thinking can change your life in both big and small ways. You've already seen it in action. But it's often easy to miss. The more attention you give it, however--being consciously mindful of cultivating good thoughts--the dozens more daily moments you begin to witness where feelings like fear are replaced with ones like harmony.
So, how do you cultivate positivity? Emotions are a natural part of the human experience. The last thing I would ever advise you to do is ignore them or try to instantly change them. (More on this later*.) But once you've done the personal work of figuring out which emotions work against you on a regular basis--and in what specific situations you most often find that this happens--you can begin to see the negative patterns that some of your more negative emotions have on your success in life.
Fear is a common emotional roadblock to success. The next time you find yourself in the same old situation that commonly keeps you back--whether it's in asking for help when you need it; being honest about your needs with a romantic partner; speaking up to take credit at work; saying, "No," to extra responsibilities in a professional or volunteer setting--try these helpful tricks for converting fear into calm confidence:
(1) Know that fear is chemically made up of a lot of the same neuro-components as excitement. If you start from this fact, you can readily move from the fear end of the scale to the excited end with just a few additional thoughts.
(2) Remember that all emotionally-based thinking is subjective. More importantly, nothing subjective is ever 100% true.
(3) Be open-minded. It's hard to be open-minded when you're afraid or otherwise negative. But if you can tell yourself that your fear-based thoughts aren't trustworthy right now, you can likely suspend those thoughts and then be open to thinking new ones.
(4) Think of the thoughts that are holding you back (i.e., "I'll look foolish if I ask for help" or "People will think less of me if they learn I don't know the answer") and find ways to poke holes in them. Using your knowledge from points #2 and #3, search out reasons your negative, fearful thoughts are wrong (such as, "Lots of people don't care if I know the answer" or "People who judge me probably have their own fears of looking stupid--my own opinion of myself is the one that counts"). You can even try substituting the opposite statement to see how that makes you feel. Check out Byron Katie's The Work for more on this point, especially noting her "4 questions."
(5) Find the humor in your original thoughts. The more you can laugh at yourself, the more you can turn your fear-based brain chemistry into that of excitement. Do whatever works for you: Perhaps think of humorous situations in movies you've seen or books you've read that can help you to laugh at fear in general (say, Steve Martin in The Jerk, running from the man who "hates cans")--or even your specific circumstance.
(6) Breathe deeply and smile. Both of these will naturally change your brain's chemistry, plus regulate your Central Nervous System to produce that calm and confident feeling. Pairing these actions with the following step's suggestion is best.
(7) Think of a reason to do what you're afraid of doing. Sample ideas may include: "What do I have to lose? If I don't ask for help, I'll never know--and then I'll always be afraid to look stupid on this subject! Sweet, silly little me."
*For some insight into recognizing your emotions, check out some of these past posts:
4 Basic Types of Self-Talk
WORD OF THE WEEK: Integrating Integrity
Checklist for Customized Affirmations
WORD OF THE WEEK: Neuro-Typical
How to Say What You Mean
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
The power of positive thinking can change your life in both big and small ways. You've already seen it in action. But it's often easy to miss. The more attention you give it, however--being consciously mindful of cultivating good thoughts--the dozens more daily moments you begin to witness where feelings like fear are replaced with ones like harmony.
So, how do you cultivate positivity? Emotions are a natural part of the human experience. The last thing I would ever advise you to do is ignore them or try to instantly change them. (More on this later*.) But once you've done the personal work of figuring out which emotions work against you on a regular basis--and in what specific situations you most often find that this happens--you can begin to see the negative patterns that some of your more negative emotions have on your success in life.
Fear is a common emotional roadblock to success. The next time you find yourself in the same old situation that commonly keeps you back--whether it's in asking for help when you need it; being honest about your needs with a romantic partner; speaking up to take credit at work; saying, "No," to extra responsibilities in a professional or volunteer setting--try these helpful tricks for converting fear into calm confidence:
(1) Know that fear is chemically made up of a lot of the same neuro-components as excitement. If you start from this fact, you can readily move from the fear end of the scale to the excited end with just a few additional thoughts.
(2) Remember that all emotionally-based thinking is subjective. More importantly, nothing subjective is ever 100% true.
(3) Be open-minded. It's hard to be open-minded when you're afraid or otherwise negative. But if you can tell yourself that your fear-based thoughts aren't trustworthy right now, you can likely suspend those thoughts and then be open to thinking new ones.
(4) Think of the thoughts that are holding you back (i.e., "I'll look foolish if I ask for help" or "People will think less of me if they learn I don't know the answer") and find ways to poke holes in them. Using your knowledge from points #2 and #3, search out reasons your negative, fearful thoughts are wrong (such as, "Lots of people don't care if I know the answer" or "People who judge me probably have their own fears of looking stupid--my own opinion of myself is the one that counts"). You can even try substituting the opposite statement to see how that makes you feel. Check out Byron Katie's The Work for more on this point, especially noting her "4 questions."
(5) Find the humor in your original thoughts. The more you can laugh at yourself, the more you can turn your fear-based brain chemistry into that of excitement. Do whatever works for you: Perhaps think of humorous situations in movies you've seen or books you've read that can help you to laugh at fear in general (say, Steve Martin in The Jerk, running from the man who "hates cans")--or even your specific circumstance.
(6) Breathe deeply and smile. Both of these will naturally change your brain's chemistry, plus regulate your Central Nervous System to produce that calm and confident feeling. Pairing these actions with the following step's suggestion is best.
(7) Think of a reason to do what you're afraid of doing. Sample ideas may include: "What do I have to lose? If I don't ask for help, I'll never know--and then I'll always be afraid to look stupid on this subject! Sweet, silly little me."
*For some insight into recognizing your emotions, check out some of these past posts:
4 Basic Types of Self-Talk
WORD OF THE WEEK: Integrating Integrity
Checklist for Customized Affirmations
WORD OF THE WEEK: Neuro-Typical
How to Say What You Mean
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Apr 9, 2010
5 Links to Learn How to Overcome Fear
Happy Friday! Here are some more wonderful links to help you understand ways to overcome your fears. Don't let fear stop you from speaking your truth.
5 Life-Changing Keys to Overcoming Your Fears (from The Positivity Blog)
Overcoming Fears (via LiveStrong.com)
How to Overcome Fear (8 simple steps from WikiHow)
Overcoming Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt (article by John D. Moore)
Overcoming Fear (YouTube video from a Buddhist perspective)
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
5 Life-Changing Keys to Overcoming Your Fears (from The Positivity Blog)
Overcoming Fears (via LiveStrong.com)
How to Overcome Fear (8 simple steps from WikiHow)
Overcoming Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt (article by John D. Moore)
Overcoming Fear (YouTube video from a Buddhist perspective)
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Apr 8, 2010
The Connection Between Fear & Writer's Block (Link)
Today's quick post provides the link to one of my favorite websites, copyblogger. This blogger's resource has tips on everything you can think of—and their solutions aren't just limited to the blog world. The link below is the perfect example, because its advice on overcoming writer's block (and overcoming fear—in all its various forms) can be applied to any writing project. Check it out!
www.copyblogger.com/writers-block/
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
www.copyblogger.com/writers-block/
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Apr 7, 2010
Fear is Pernicious! Put it in its Place
Summary: Building off of this week's vocabulary word, pernicious, we take a look at the emotion you voted as top on your list in blocking your ability to speak clearly. Today's post kicks off a series on fear and how to overcome it.
Fear is pernicious. It can stop you from doing the things you love and can keep you from moving forward. RyanS recently wrote to say that fear often keeps him from growing in romantic relationships. How does fear hold you back?
In Beyond Talk's poll, "What Stops You From Speaking Your Truth?" you rated fear as the number one emotion that holds you back from saying what you mean. (Sadness was number two, followed by anger, excitement and "other.") And how can you get what you want out of life if you can't really speak your own personal truth? How can you go for your dreams if you can't be honest with yourself about what they are?
Here are some ways to recognize your fears, so they don't turn into phobias:
(1) Know what fear feels like. All emotions manifest themselves physically, so pay attention to what your body feels like when you realize you're afraid. Most people experience some combination of shallow breathing, rapid heart rhythm and a tightening in the stomach. A numbness in the extremities, especially the hands, is also common.
(2) Note what's causing the physical fear. Often, it's easier to recognize the physical sensations of your emotions than it is to name their underlying purpose. But give it a try—even if it's scary. Think about where you are when such feelings arise; then note who is around you (they may be related to the fearfulness) and, if possible, why you think the frightening feelings have stricken you.
(3) Keep practicing. The more frequently you do steps 1 and 2 above, the easier it will eventually become to recognize fear right as it's starting. When you have the ability to know your fear as (or before!) it arises, you are empowered to stop it in its tracks.
We'll look more deeply into some of the root causes of fear, how it affects our lives (both for better and for worse) and how we can change it as our series continues. What does fear do to YOU?
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Fear is pernicious. It can stop you from doing the things you love and can keep you from moving forward. RyanS recently wrote to say that fear often keeps him from growing in romantic relationships. How does fear hold you back?
In Beyond Talk's poll, "What Stops You From Speaking Your Truth?" you rated fear as the number one emotion that holds you back from saying what you mean. (Sadness was number two, followed by anger, excitement and "other.") And how can you get what you want out of life if you can't really speak your own personal truth? How can you go for your dreams if you can't be honest with yourself about what they are?
Here are some ways to recognize your fears, so they don't turn into phobias:
(1) Know what fear feels like. All emotions manifest themselves physically, so pay attention to what your body feels like when you realize you're afraid. Most people experience some combination of shallow breathing, rapid heart rhythm and a tightening in the stomach. A numbness in the extremities, especially the hands, is also common.
(2) Note what's causing the physical fear. Often, it's easier to recognize the physical sensations of your emotions than it is to name their underlying purpose. But give it a try—even if it's scary. Think about where you are when such feelings arise; then note who is around you (they may be related to the fearfulness) and, if possible, why you think the frightening feelings have stricken you.
(3) Keep practicing. The more frequently you do steps 1 and 2 above, the easier it will eventually become to recognize fear right as it's starting. When you have the ability to know your fear as (or before!) it arises, you are empowered to stop it in its tracks.
We'll look more deeply into some of the root causes of fear, how it affects our lives (both for better and for worse) and how we can change it as our series continues. What does fear do to YOU?
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Mar 31, 2010
Stop Writer's Block: Put the Writing Exercise into Real-Life Practice
Summary: Today, I list some real-world examples of when you can use the writing exercise I shared with you last week. (Click the links if you need a refresher on the exercise, itself.) When does it work best for you?
Last week, I introduced you to an original writing exercise that uses self-awareness to center you and channel your creative energy. How has it been working for you?
I met with my writer's group over the weekend, where I chatted with some of the attendees about this process. We discovered that, when it comes to creative writing, "switching genres" (as Sabina described it) can be very helpful. Using an exercise like this one is ideal for such circumstances, because it takes your mind off the point where you're 'stuck' in your short story or novel, and moves it onto something new and organic. Once the creative block has been cleared, your brain is free to move fluidly into new ideas that you can use in your story. Try it for yourself and see how easily you can organize your thoughts after the emotional crisis of writer's block has passed.
Not writing something fictional? If you're working on a report for work or for school, you can come to the same point of confusion. Perhaps it's your outline that's really getting you down—as Kurt told me he often experiences. Knowing what you'll say next is vital, but planning this out can create the same frustrations as free-writing. How do you overcome it?
Again, try the exercise from last week. You'll be amazed at how it frees up your brain to organize thoughts that once were jumbled. If it doesn't work at first (and you can spare the time), try it twice. By then, you'll know that you can write coherently on any random subject, and you're sure to have the confidence you need to finish that outline in front of you. Finally, share your experience here. We all grow as writers and thinkers when we can honestly compare notes.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Last week, I introduced you to an original writing exercise that uses self-awareness to center you and channel your creative energy. How has it been working for you?
I met with my writer's group over the weekend, where I chatted with some of the attendees about this process. We discovered that, when it comes to creative writing, "switching genres" (as Sabina described it) can be very helpful. Using an exercise like this one is ideal for such circumstances, because it takes your mind off the point where you're 'stuck' in your short story or novel, and moves it onto something new and organic. Once the creative block has been cleared, your brain is free to move fluidly into new ideas that you can use in your story. Try it for yourself and see how easily you can organize your thoughts after the emotional crisis of writer's block has passed.
Not writing something fictional? If you're working on a report for work or for school, you can come to the same point of confusion. Perhaps it's your outline that's really getting you down—as Kurt told me he often experiences. Knowing what you'll say next is vital, but planning this out can create the same frustrations as free-writing. How do you overcome it?
Again, try the exercise from last week. You'll be amazed at how it frees up your brain to organize thoughts that once were jumbled. If it doesn't work at first (and you can spare the time), try it twice. By then, you'll know that you can write coherently on any random subject, and you're sure to have the confidence you need to finish that outline in front of you. Finally, share your experience here. We all grow as writers and thinkers when we can honestly compare notes.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Mar 28, 2010
Overcome Writer's Block with This List of Creative Resources
Summary: This special weekend post contains a list of links for the 'stuck' writer who wants to overcome writer's block.
After meeting with my writers' group yesterday (where we had a serious discussion about writer's block--something most of us have suffered from), I decided to compile a little list of resources this weekend. Here are some wonderful links to get you through writer's block any day of the week, so you can always speak your truth.
Tama Kieves' "Inviting Grace" guided meditation CD/audio file - In this guided meditation, career coach & author-speaker Tama Kieves leads you through an inner journey to the place where your creative self resides. A personal favorite of mine, it has helped me through many 'stuck' moments. She reminds the listener of the truth: "You are creative."
AwakeningArtistry.com - Tama's website also has a number of other resources, including other CDs and audio files, books, article links and workshops--all designed to help bring you closer to your deepest desires and overcome any roadblocks to success.
ScribblePlay.com - Hollywood script reader-turned-online writer Christopher Rice (who has added his own two cents on writer's block to the Beyond Talk blog series on the subject) created this web community for writers of all types to meet, connect and most importantly, share their work.
GoArticles.com - In addition to my forthcoming article on the subject, GoArticles has a nice collection of videos about overcoming writer's block.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
After meeting with my writers' group yesterday (where we had a serious discussion about writer's block--something most of us have suffered from), I decided to compile a little list of resources this weekend. Here are some wonderful links to get you through writer's block any day of the week, so you can always speak your truth.
Tama Kieves' "Inviting Grace" guided meditation CD/audio file - In this guided meditation, career coach & author-speaker Tama Kieves leads you through an inner journey to the place where your creative self resides. A personal favorite of mine, it has helped me through many 'stuck' moments. She reminds the listener of the truth: "You are creative."
AwakeningArtistry.com - Tama's website also has a number of other resources, including other CDs and audio files, books, article links and workshops--all designed to help bring you closer to your deepest desires and overcome any roadblocks to success.
ScribblePlay.com - Hollywood script reader-turned-online writer Christopher Rice (who has added his own two cents on writer's block to the Beyond Talk blog series on the subject) created this web community for writers of all types to meet, connect and most importantly, share their work.
GoArticles.com - In addition to my forthcoming article on the subject, GoArticles has a nice collection of videos about overcoming writer's block.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Mar 26, 2010
Bust Writer's Block with This Whole-Being Writing Exercise
Summary: This basic writing exercise puts you in touch with yourself to help you easily overcome writer's block—and boost your writing skills and self-awareness in the process.
The powers of observation are wondrous. When you harness them for yourself, you can accomplish so much more in your life than you can without them. You can be more self-aware and more self-honest, which in turn means you can be more honest with others in a positive way.
Today, I'd like to share with you an exercise that can help you be more aware in general. And as an added bonus, this trick is great for overcoming writer's block—no matter what you need to write about, whether it's basic or esoteric. I'll share with you some practical steps you can take in every situation you encounter, using this simple written exercise. (If you can think of other situations that I don't address in this blog post, let me know! I'll gladly share with you a customized version that's sure to help solve your problem.)
Written Exercise
Using a writing instrument (pen and paper, computer station, tube of lipstick on whatever flat surface you can find—your choice), gaze upon the object nearest to you. Pick something basic and simple, like your coffee mug or computer keyboard. After about a minute or less, begin writing whatever comes to mind that describes this object.
First, write a physical description: "My coffee mug is off-white in color and made of heavy stoneware material," etc. Be as specifically detailed as you can be, and take as much time as you like. Remember, the idea is to write more, rather than less.
After you have filled a minimum of half a page (or its equivalent), begin to write about what feelings this object—or anything in the sentence you've just written about it—brings up in you, physically or emotionally. (Both is even better.) Start writing this next segment immediately; don't pause! It's perfectly acceptable to write associatively here: "When I think of coffee mugs, in general, I always remember my grandfather, who had a pot brewing at every visit. This makes me feel sentimental and a little sad that he's no longer around to give me his words of wisdom over the rim of his cup." It's also okay to stay literal: "This is my favorite mug, because it always feels warm in my hand—not so hot that it burns me, like the ceramic ones in the cabinet." Try to write more than a page.
Finally, see if you can bring the writing to a close, coming full circle by mentioning whatever you started with—even if you have to do this by mentioning how unrelated the two ideas are, in segue. For example: "My grandfather never owned a plain coffee mug like the one I drink from today" or "It's the stoneware that makes the difference." Just closing the loop between the beginning and the ending of your written piece is enough to end the exercise, and still makes for good practice in writing.
This exercise can jump-start anything—from an introspective journal entry to a dryly fact-based report. It helps your creative synapses begin to fire and helps you start to draw connections where you wouldn't as easily otherwise. Try it and see for yourself.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
The powers of observation are wondrous. When you harness them for yourself, you can accomplish so much more in your life than you can without them. You can be more self-aware and more self-honest, which in turn means you can be more honest with others in a positive way.
Today, I'd like to share with you an exercise that can help you be more aware in general. And as an added bonus, this trick is great for overcoming writer's block—no matter what you need to write about, whether it's basic or esoteric. I'll share with you some practical steps you can take in every situation you encounter, using this simple written exercise. (If you can think of other situations that I don't address in this blog post, let me know! I'll gladly share with you a customized version that's sure to help solve your problem.)
Written Exercise
Using a writing instrument (pen and paper, computer station, tube of lipstick on whatever flat surface you can find—your choice), gaze upon the object nearest to you. Pick something basic and simple, like your coffee mug or computer keyboard. After about a minute or less, begin writing whatever comes to mind that describes this object.
First, write a physical description: "My coffee mug is off-white in color and made of heavy stoneware material," etc. Be as specifically detailed as you can be, and take as much time as you like. Remember, the idea is to write more, rather than less.
After you have filled a minimum of half a page (or its equivalent), begin to write about what feelings this object—or anything in the sentence you've just written about it—brings up in you, physically or emotionally. (Both is even better.) Start writing this next segment immediately; don't pause! It's perfectly acceptable to write associatively here: "When I think of coffee mugs, in general, I always remember my grandfather, who had a pot brewing at every visit. This makes me feel sentimental and a little sad that he's no longer around to give me his words of wisdom over the rim of his cup." It's also okay to stay literal: "This is my favorite mug, because it always feels warm in my hand—not so hot that it burns me, like the ceramic ones in the cabinet." Try to write more than a page.
Finally, see if you can bring the writing to a close, coming full circle by mentioning whatever you started with—even if you have to do this by mentioning how unrelated the two ideas are, in segue. For example: "My grandfather never owned a plain coffee mug like the one I drink from today" or "It's the stoneware that makes the difference." Just closing the loop between the beginning and the ending of your written piece is enough to end the exercise, and still makes for good practice in writing.
This exercise can jump-start anything—from an introspective journal entry to a dryly fact-based report. It helps your creative synapses begin to fire and helps you start to draw connections where you wouldn't as easily otherwise. Try it and see for yourself.
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Mar 24, 2010
How Do You Overcome Writer's Block?
Summary: There are many ways to overcome writer's block. Some of my friends share their expert advice in this blog post. How does it work for you?
Whether it's the briefest of thank-you cards or the longest of essays—or any written piece in between—you can be stricken and stuck by the most dreaded of all terrors: WRITER'S BLOCK. And when you are ... what do you do about it?
Here are your options: (1) Stare determinedly at that blank page, note card or computer screen until you're totally frustrated and ready to give up entirely; (2) give up immediately.
But wait! You say you aren't a quitter? You're ready, even, to try whatever it takes? Well, it's a good thing you stumbled upon this blog, because I have a whole list of suggestions that I compiled from my Facebook friends. These are tried and true methods that really work for these people. What works for you?
Christine gets out into nature—either going for a walk or doing some yard work—and keeps a pencil and note cards in her pocket, she says, "to jot down brilliant bursts of insight."
Tracey takes a study break by watching something entertaining that also makes her think.
Roger engages in some physical activity. He says, "Lifting weights gives me a good balance."
Wes takes a creative approach to staying in the moment. He's found that just the simple act of writing down whatever occurs to him—even if it's a list of words with no sentence structure—helps him re-set his brain and get the writing juices flowing.
Me? I brainstorm. Drawing on a technique I was taught in sixth grade, I often write the word "brainstorm" at the top of a page (and even go so far as to draw little thunder bolts and storm clouds around it when I'm feeling really stuck). Then, similarly to what Wes does, I write a list of words on the page. Each word is a topic pertaining to what I might write about; occasionally, I may write a list of starter sentences for the topics, too, just to test how well the subject matter gets my juices flowing. When I've found the right one, I know it, because I begin writing right then.
Are you the type of person who needs to step away from the notepad to get a fresh perspective or do you need to give yourself that extra push in the right direction, right in the moment, to overcome writer's block? How do you know ...?
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
Whether it's the briefest of thank-you cards or the longest of essays—or any written piece in between—you can be stricken and stuck by the most dreaded of all terrors: WRITER'S BLOCK. And when you are ... what do you do about it?
Here are your options: (1) Stare determinedly at that blank page, note card or computer screen until you're totally frustrated and ready to give up entirely; (2) give up immediately.
But wait! You say you aren't a quitter? You're ready, even, to try whatever it takes? Well, it's a good thing you stumbled upon this blog, because I have a whole list of suggestions that I compiled from my Facebook friends. These are tried and true methods that really work for these people. What works for you?
Christine gets out into nature—either going for a walk or doing some yard work—and keeps a pencil and note cards in her pocket, she says, "to jot down brilliant bursts of insight."
Tracey takes a study break by watching something entertaining that also makes her think.
Roger engages in some physical activity. He says, "Lifting weights gives me a good balance."
Wes takes a creative approach to staying in the moment. He's found that just the simple act of writing down whatever occurs to him—even if it's a list of words with no sentence structure—helps him re-set his brain and get the writing juices flowing.
Me? I brainstorm. Drawing on a technique I was taught in sixth grade, I often write the word "brainstorm" at the top of a page (and even go so far as to draw little thunder bolts and storm clouds around it when I'm feeling really stuck). Then, similarly to what Wes does, I write a list of words on the page. Each word is a topic pertaining to what I might write about; occasionally, I may write a list of starter sentences for the topics, too, just to test how well the subject matter gets my juices flowing. When I've found the right one, I know it, because I begin writing right then.
Are you the type of person who needs to step away from the notepad to get a fresh perspective or do you need to give yourself that extra push in the right direction, right in the moment, to overcome writer's block? How do you know ...?
© KiKi Productions, Inc. 2010
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