What do you do if your writing productivity is at a standstill?

This is a common occurrence! In my experience, my productivity gets to a standstill when multiple tasks overwhelm me to the point of inaction. The Eisenhower Matrix has been a great tool for me to navigate multiple tasks and increase my productivity. The Eisenhower matrix divides tasks into four categories: • Important and urgent- These tasks need to be done as soon as possible • Important and non-urgent- These tasks are scheduled to be done at a later time. • Unimportant and urgent- These tasks are delegated, as they aren’t a better use of your time • Unimportant and non-urgent- These tasks are Eliminated These steps should help you manage tasks better and quickly boost your productivity!

Writing isn’t a compulsion, neither it should be. For a thought to flow seamlessly through the pen it’s important that your mind is at its productive best. Here are some tips: *Declutter your environment and mind * Think about positive thoughts that you’d like to introduce in the world *Make a positive impact *Write in something you believe to be meaningful and worthwhile * If it impacts you in a positive way it will change the world for better

When productivity goes for a toss, maintain some distance. Park the task, and come back later. A little distance is always a good thing.

Writer's block is real, and it is only when it hits that you realise the essence of being a real writer. When I am cluttered with my thoughts and have nothing to put on paper, I intentionally step away and immerse myself in new experiences- meet new people, gain new perspectives, read new books, and visit new places. Whenever I am stuck, I just try to learn something entirely new and challenging - be it theatre, dance, digital art, or anything outside my comfort zone. Unfamiliar territories make you familiar with unfamiliar expressions and emotions. And distractions ain't that bad until they help you write about distractions.

Go outside. Dirty your hands in potting soil, grab a shovel and dig in the coreopsis and milkweed plants bought at the farmers' market last weekend, work until you sweat, go in and shower, enjoy dusk with a glass of wine and the Merlin Bid ID app tuned to the evening chatter of songbirds. Ignore your assignment, deadline, guilt and writer's block until the next day.Works for me!

One thing I've found helpful is to bounce ideas off another person I trust. Sometimes those conversations can bring new light to the subject and inspire me to write something new. Write down an idea when it hits you so you don't forget and can come back to it later.

Changing routines can be a powerful way to shake things up and stimulate creativity. Try some of these tips: 1. Shift Writing Times - If you usually write in the evenings, try waking up early and writing in the morning. 2. Multiple Sessions: Instead of one long writing session, break your writing time into shorter, focused sessions spread throughout the day. This can help maintain your energy and keep you engaged with your work. 3. Change Writing Environments: If you typically write indoors, venture outside to a park, café, or library. The change of scenery can provide new inspiration. 4. Quiet Spaces: If noise distracts you, find a quiet corner at home, or use noise-cancelling headphones to create a peaceful writing environment.

Slowdown. Turn off the noise Turn off the phone Take a break. Give yourself deadlines Read. Do things that inspire you. Get your motivation back. Have some interesting conversations Take yourself to coffee

Shaking things up even slightly helps tremendously to bring in fresh thinking. A different route in your daily run, attending a book club meet, changing your regular coffee order - all helps! Although not always possible, travel helps the most.

When I'm being less that productive with my writing, I change my view. I take a walk. I go into another room. I call a friend. I let my brain rest for a bit and it always comes back with a result. Truth is, if you give your brain a break, you're allowing it to pause and reflect on what you need. In writing, that means what you need to be saying on the paper. Your brain will be working on the problem while you get that cup of tea. I even start reading a book. A completely different kind of book than the one I'm writing. It's amazing to me how quickly I begin getting inspired to get back to my writing task. In fact, I've been know to even take a nap. And my answers come to me in my dreams.

In my experience, setting small, achievable goals can help kickstart or re-kickstart one’s writing routine. Whether it's committing to writing a certain number of words each day or dedicating a specific time for brainstorming ideas, establishing a structured approach can help you get back on track. It is important to stick to a routine, and if it gets messed up, then your first priority is to get back into the routine or establish a new one.

Read. Reading nurtures your writing. Read writers you admire, even in different genres. Especially different genres. And no matter what kinds of pieces you produce-essays, reports, op-eds, scripts, fiction-read poetry. A good poem encapsulates everything good writing should be about: conciseness, precision, sonority and beauty. And don’t forget to read the world itself, the contents of daily life. Milan Kundera’s “Immortality” came to the page because he noticed a brief, elegant, unexpected gesture. Before you know it, you’ll be composing sentences in your mind about what your senses perceive, and you might find yourself rushing back to your desk to capture an image, an idea, or even a beautiful phrase or sentence.

You need time to think your own thoughts. If you spend all day scrolling social, listening to podcasts, reading books, etc. It will be really hard for inspiration to come. Take time in silence. Go for a silent walk or drive. Give yourself an unplugged weekend. Make time to hear yourself think.

I agree with taking a walk to clear your mind - even better if you make it a fast walk! Any movement is great for emotional regulation but aerobic exercise like fast walking also results in the release of BDNF - a kind of 'fertilizer' for brain cells and, therefore, creativity! I find I do my best thinking on the days I've had my morning work outs!

Ask yourself if you are stressing over the task based on the enormity or complexity of it! Once you find the reason behind it, manage where your emotions are coming from. If it's complexity, reach out to someone or make a structured research plan. If its the enormity, break down into chunks and give tentative deadlines. Getting your emotions in control, greatly affects your productivity

A wise writer once told me “writing is a craft, starts with imagination, picking and sculpturing your thoughts, add some creativity, and then basically wait for this labour to deliver a piece of work.” In other words, writing is art and suggests struggle at times. However, a blockage during this process is often a human construct or a form of justification for the lack of creativity. Historical figures produced influential, significant and memorable pieces during their most miserable times… using only candle lights and limited writing instruments, no? In my experience, there is no such thing as writing blockage, words are there so smile and keep writing!

When you are stuck or having trouble focusing, get up and move. Take a walk and let your brain work on the problem in the background for a while.

In my experience, seeking feedback from fellow writers or trusted peers has always been beneficial. Sharing your work-in-progress with others can offer fresh insights and constructive criticism that may guide you in a new direction or help you pinpoint areas for improvement.

Ask for a 1:1 with your boss or mentor. If you don't have either, meet up with a colleague. If you don't have colleagues, meet new people in your field and beyond. Asking for help is a sign of strength.

Talk it through. Find someone you trust to bounce your ideas off. Whether they can work on it with you or they're just there to listen, forcing yourself to articulate your thought process in order to communicate it to someone else can make an enormous difference. Last night I went to my mom to go over a plot point that I was struggling with, and just the act of talking about it aloud to somebody helped me work through the knots. She gave me some really good input too; a different perspective and things to think about.

If you've been writing before and your friends know you write - just share a note or story online that 'Oh I miss writing' and at times, even 1 person responding to that 'Oh hey I miss your writing too' will get you writing again :)

Often times it’s the fear of writing “badly” that holds one back from writing. What’s really worked for me when I’ve been in a writing rut has been to simply, write badly. Your badly written draft gives you the material to work with and shape into final output - and it’s certainly far more productive than staring at the blinking cursor, waiting for inspiration & technique to find you.

Sometimes, the best way to overcome writer's block is to step away from that blinking cursor. Engage in a different creative activity or do some stretching exercises. Physical activity can improve your mental clarity and focus. I find that a refreshing beach walk or pottering in the kitchen works for me. Take a break, or change your routine and environment. Giving your mind a break from your writing project helps refresh your creativity and perspective. A new environment can stimulate your brain and inspire new ideas.