Create a Writing Challenge - 5 Ideas to help your writing practice be consistent

Developing a Rhythm and Practice of Writing - Part 13

How do you overcome writer’s block? 

It’s hard to keep writing consistently especially when writing is not our work and there are no “consequences” to not writing.  The ease to stop is so much greater than the discipline to keep writing. 

Here are five ideas to help you overcome writers' block:

1. Talk to yourself
2. Write in Bullet Points
3. Prompts and Questions
4. Rewrite & Edit
5. Writing Challenges

THE WRITING CHALLENGE

Here is a fun fact. I launched this writing challenge because I was stuck. It has been a challenging few months. I was feeling derailed. 

I needed to get back on track and knew writing regularly will lead me to the clarity, the courage and the energy to rise up and get back on track. 

And so far, it has worked. Here are some reasons why?

1. I made it a project. I defined it (scope), scheduled it (timeline) and budgeted (my energy and focus) for this challenge. It was no longer wishful thinking or a nice to have. I didn’t know if it would work but I needed to try. So I launched it.
    
2. I invited others along. One of my favorite quotes and guiding principles is “The most personal is the most universal”. Whenever I feel isolated or believe I am the only one going through a dark season (the valley) - I invite others along because I know I am not alone in experiencing this. It takes me out of my “woah is me” state to “we can get through this together.”
   
   
3. You, the reader, hold me accountable. I have to write and share because I made a promise to you. That I will go first and try. If the challenge was only for me, I would not have been able to stay consistent. It’s for us. Reading your writings you share with me encourages and strengthens me. 

So when you feel stuck, create a challenge and invite others in. It worked for me. 

Hint: It doesn't have to be a writing challenge. It can be walking/running challenge, waking up at 5 AM challenge, etc...

This entry is for Month-long writing challenge for our The Beautiful Future Members. Every weekday, we write and share with one another to build and strengthen our practice of writing.