The Big 9 Roadblocks to Getting Your Writing Done

There’s a reason why we call our programs “production labs.”

Because they’re about three things:

1. Learning to write copy as you actually get the writing done.
2. Discovering how to work with your own production process
3. Experimenting with being bolder in your message.

And because we’ve already taken hundreds of business owners through the Stella Orange laboratories, there are a few things I’ve noticed about what gets in the way.

Here they are, with some questions to dislodge yourself:

1) Not giving yourself enough time to think, talk it out, write, review + revise. Many business owners think “writing copy” is just sitting down at the keyboard and typing. While that can be true for things like a personal email or newsletter article, most other sales writing takes more time to craft. To break the bad habit of working last minute, get to know your own production process, and schedule yourself accordingly.

Questions:

• What needs to get done?
• Is there any way I can do this more simply – and get BETTER results?
• What are the phases of this project? What gets done first, second, etc?
• How much time do I need to do this right? How much time to actually have?
• When will I do this?

2) Underdeveloped “hustle muscle.” Success is rarely served to you on a silver platter. In other words: expect to hustle. There will be times that you don’t want to write. Develop your capacity to “dig deep” and do the work, eve when you may not feel like it.

Questions:

• Do I need a break?
• Am I putting this off? Why?
• What do I need in this moment before I do the work?
• Can I reschedule this task for another day without negative consequence?

3) Not taking yourself/your business seriously. This is more for the beginners among us – you aren’t totally certain yet that your business can actually WORK… so you aren’t “all in.” As a result, you let other people’s priorities run the show.

Questions:

• Have I trained the people in my life that I put them before myself?
• How are my boundaries?
• What needs to shift here?

4) Perfectionism. Learn to recognize and love your perfectionism for what it is: a desire to control, to look good, and not trusting that the universe is good already, without you lifting a finger. (I say this as a recovering perfectionist myself).

Questions:

• What am I afraid of?
• What if my standard was “good enough”?
• What if “good enough” made more money than perfect?
• What if people actually liked, trusted, and could connect with me MORE when I’m not totally perfect?

5) Writing for an audience before you’re clear in your own head. For many of us, “writer’s block” can appear when we aren’t totally sure what we’re writing about or promoting. This is normal! When this happens, stop writing copy and create a “cheat sheet” – on a separate sheet of paper, jot down what you’re talking about. The price point. The major benefit. What makes it different. Your ideal client profiles.

Questions:

• Am I having trouble writing because I need to think things through more?

6) Unmade business decisions. It’s tough to write about something that is vague. It’s tough to write to a target market you’ve fallen out of love with. It’s tough to write hot copy about a business or program you’ve outgrown.

Questions:
What do I need to let go of in my business?
Am I promoting something I don’t like?
Am I holding on to something I’ve outgrown?

7) Isolation. As master coach Barbara Sher says, “isolation is the dream killer.” It’s really tough to go through an enjoyable and profitable writing process on your own. It can be hard to get your partner or friends to hold you to a higher standard in your copy and message (even if they want to help).

Questions:

• Do I want to do this alone?
• Would this be easier to talk out with someone smart?
• Who do I know who could do this with me?

8) Not enjoying the process. Too many business owners tolerate a writing process that is TORTURE. It takes hours. It is tedious. You may feel bad, slow, stupid, or like you have nothing good to say or offer.

Questions:

• Do I think this has to be hard to be good?
• Am I putting up with doing something that I don’t enjoy?
• What if the writing could be FUN… and actually make me feel more alive?

9) You’re pushing instead of receiving. The best ideas aren’t made… they are received. Having a ritual where you listen to what your life whispers to you in the quiet moments isn’t just a competitive edge… it’s a lifeboat. Take a page from the writers and artists who have gone before — make time to show up and listen, without attachment to whether it’s any good.

Questions:

• Do I have time for reflection in my day?
• What refuels my senses at the end of a day of work?
• What practice could help me listen to my life?
• Am I getting better at receiving in my life?

Most of us have more than one of these roadblocks popping up in our businesses. But I invite you to take a moment and ask yourself which is the one that’s really getting in your way right now. Pick one to work on. Day in, day out. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about moving closer to the way you want it to be, one step at a time.

Mighty thanks to BiblioArchives/LibraryArchives flickr photostream for the mad scientists.