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I had every intention of writing this article yesterday morning. And then again, last night. And then this morning. But my team needed me, I had to put out a few fires and honestly I just didn’t feel like it.
When I finally sat down to write, I realized what was going on: Procrastination was taking hold. Or, as I like to call it, “fear in overalls.” Procrastination is a type of fear that has good intentions but is not consistently acted upon and is easy to slip into. It’s the part of us that says, “It’s all good, I can do it later, I’m not really in the mood, I’ll wait for inspiration to come.”
As a bestselling author of three books and a writing mentor who has mentored thousands, I’ve learned a thing or two about why we don’t start or finish projects—why ideas fuel us for years but rarely see the light of day.
Whether I support a founder with a track record of success, a New York Times Whether you’re a best-selling author or an aspiring author just picking up a pen, creative blocks plague us all. Through my work, I have identified three types of creative blocks and found ways to overcome them.
Creative Block #1: Procrastination – “I’ll do that later after I do the other thing.”
Maybe you’re reading this to avoid something else you need or want to do. If so, you may be struggling with procrastination. But before you get too upset, let’s take a closer look at the real cause. Contrary to what many of us have learned, procrastination is not a sign that we are lazy, weak, or unmotivated. From a psychological perspective, procrastination is also a survival function.
When we are stressed, overwhelmed, burned out, or struggling with a perceived threat – it could be, “I really want things to go well, but the outcome is uncertain,” or “I want to put myself out there, but it’s me.” .”I’m not sure how it’s received” – our nervous system goes into a fight/flight/freeze response. In other words, we hesitate.
By understanding the science behind it, we can develop compassion for ourselves – and others – and also decide what to do about it.
I learned about “micro-yes” from my friend Britt Frank, a neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck. A micro-yes is the smallest next step you can take – one step So small, it almost seems ridiculous to call it “a step.”
So if you want to write an article but are stalled – like I was – the next micro yes is not Schedule an hour for writing. This could unsettle your nervous system and cause you to experience further delays. In my case, my micro yeses were:
- Sit me on the chair.
- Write a bad sentence.
- Write another one.
And voilà, the brain stopped sensing threats, my nervous system became better regulated, and I published the article. I was on my way, and micro yeses will help you keep going too.
Creative Block #2: Perfectionism – “That’s not good enough.”
If procrastination is “fear in overalls,” perfectionism is, as Elizabeth Gilbert put it, “fear in fancy clothes.” Of all the obstacles out there, perfectionism – and the pressure to be great right away – is one that stalls a project before it even has a chance to thrive.
When I signed my first book deal, my publisher asked me if I could write the book in three months. As crazy as it sounded, that was the title of my book Choose wonder over worrySo instead of worrying about how unrealistic that deadline sounded, I asked myself: I’m wondering how I can do this?
I cleared my calendar, flew across the world for a writing retreat, and then as I sat down to write, I was paralyzed by a voice in my head that said every ten seconds: “That’s a very bad sentence.” .”
After consulting with a mentor (and almost losing my mind), I was reminded that there is no such thing as a great first draft. Actually, my goal was to be a “bad writer” and write terrible first drafts so that I could get to the point of having mediocre second drafts and better third drafts.
This strategy helped me finish my book—and it helped many others in my signature writing workshop. On the website. Revising is essential and will strengthen your work – but first you need to get those “pencil miles” on point.
Creative Block #3: Imposter Syndrome – “Who am I to call myself a writer? Will I find out?”
If procrastination is “fear in overalls” and perfectionism is “fear in fancy clothes,” then imposter syndrome is “fear in hiding.”
Whenever you venture out or try something new, there are people who are more experienced, knowledgeable, or well-known than you. It’s a simple fact of life. Whether you’re just starting out in your career or have decades of accolades under your belt, there’s always the fear that people who have achieved more will say: You don’t know what you’re talking about, or, Who are you to think you can do this?
In fact, the more successful you are and the more you have accomplished, the more likely you are to experience imposter syndrome. It’s like Aristotle’s old saying: “The more you know, the more you know that you don’t know.” Case in point: I have a client who has landed a major book deal on a topic on which she is a world-renowned expert. She has been featured in dozens of publications, she has a thriving business in her field, and her book is a vehicle to make her message more accessible to more people. And yet, during one of our calls, she told me, “I hope to call myself a writer one day.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, I’m not a writer like those other writers,” she said. “Maybe if the book is a big success.”
This is exactly where imposter syndrome thrives: between inner doubts and the belief that external accolades prove we are worthy. And the most brutal part of imposter syndrome is that even when we achieve our vision of “ultimate success,” it still isn’t enough.
So what to do about it? The solution to imposter syndrome is twofold:
- Notice the critical voice in your head that says: I am not enough, I will be discovered, I don’t deserve this, I have to work harder to prove myself – and remember that voice is an old and damaging story that you no longer need to accept. Notice it, remember that it’s not you, and as uncomfortable as it may feel, choose a more empowering narrative, such as: “I am already enough.”
- Celebrate your progress already made – including the mistakes. Focus on what you learn, how you grow, what you value, and what is meaningful to you. Don’t get lost in what you have to achieve “eventually” so that you can finally get there. You have already arrived.
I know it can be unsettling to encounter blocks. But once we name what we are experiencing, we can more easily recognize it and then respond to it differently. While creative blocks are challenges, there are science-based solutions to them. Sometimes it starts with lowering our Really high personal expectations, rolling up your sleeves and having a little faith in the process.