1. Start with the end in mind.
Before you start writing, think about what idea you want your reader to walk away with or what action you’d like them to take. If you’re writing an article for your newsletter or blog, do you want your reader to sign up for a class or donate to a specific cause? Do you want them to walk away with a sharable list of tips? Or, if you’re writing a journalistic article, essay or piece of fiction, what’s the takeaway – what’s the theme?
2. Keep a list.
I find ideas often come to me in the shower, in the middle of the night, or while I’m watching TV (for some reason, watching CBS Sunday Morning triggers tons of ideas for me). So as ideas come, I jot them down. I tend to use Evernote on my phone, but you can keep a notebook with you or whatever you like. This way, when scheduled writing time comes around, you’ll have a well of ideas to draw from.
3. Embrace the SFD
In her beloved book, Bird by Bird (if you haven’t read it, I recommend you do so immediately), writer Anne Lamott explores the idea of the SFD – Shitty First Draft. When we’re writing, most of us get caught up in wanting everything to be perfect right away. It never is.
When we embrace the idea that even seasoned and celebrated writers rarely like their first draft and go through about a gazillion revisions before publishing, we can be a little easier on ourselves. So, set a timer and just start writing. Don’t stop. Get the raw ideas down on the page. Then, when you’ve got everything down, you can mold and sculpt the finished product.
4. Keep it simple.
Everything you write doesn’t have to be War and Peace. Sometimes the simplest ideas, written clearly and concisely, make the best pieces.
5. Change your attitude.
I can’t tell you how many times my mom read this quote to me, “As a man thinketh, so is he.” It’s true. If you think you’re a slow writer, you will be. So, first and foremost, try telling yourself, “I’m a really fast writer.” (I do realize how corny this sounds, but it works. You’re tapping into your subconscious mind with this easy little trick.)
6. Give yourself a deadline.
As many times as my mom told me “as a man thinketh,” my dad told me “a job expands to fill the time that’s given.” As a chronic procrastinator and recovering perfectionist, it’s always been tough for me to finish a project and get it out into the world without a deadline.
When working in the newsroom the deadline comes from an outside source, but when you’re writing an article or working on a new book, the deadlines often have to come from you. So, try giving yourself one hour to finish an article draft or get down 1,000 words. Then go from there.