Anyone who is blogging a lot faces sooner or later the challenge of finding new topics to write about. So when I ran into this list of ways how to overcome writer’s block I didn’t hesitate to share it with you. If you happen to find yourself in that deep hole and need inspiration, why not have a look at the list below. 1. Browse the web for inspiration.The internet is full of ideas. Go take a look at your favorite blogs and write about a new or controversial topic. 2. Take a break. It’s hard to write when you’re overworked. Sometimes, it’s just as simple as taking a break and allowing your mind to wander. When you return, you might have an idea. 3. Explore new subjects. All too often, writer’s block is caused by the inability to find a new topic within a narrow subject. If you’ve exhausted everything, branch out into a related subject. 4. Go back to the basics: Use pen and paper. From infancy, we’ve been taught to write using writing instruments. So ditch the keyboard and do it like old times. 5. Word association. You’ve played the game before. Try it again now. Let’s, say… start with the word salad, and see where it goes. 6. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Go back and find a popular article that you’ve written. Reinvent it, add additional observations or comments, and republish it. 7. Opt for lists. We find that some of our most successful articles are those that contain lists… Like this one. They’re easy to write and they usually go over pretty well. 8. Eat a snack. Perhaps your brain is craving some nutrients. Go eat a snack and get a sugar high. 9. Lower expectations. If you are planning on writing a masterpiece, such as something that is sure to hit the first page of Digg, you might have some difficulty. Instead, just focus on writing a well-written post. 10. Draw a picture. Sometimes, little doodles can help get the juices flowing. 11. Opt for a change of venue. Sometimes a change of locale will help. If you’re writing from home, move from the office to the living room, or to the balcony or porch. You might also want to try it in the bathroom. 12. Find a writing buddy. Partner up with a fellow writer and bounce ideas off of each other. 13. Write about writer’s block. Hey, we’re doing it. 14. Seek out your local shrink. At times, especially when writer’s block lasts for extended periods of times, it may be linked to feelings of self doubt and inadequacy, or even fear of success… It may be time to see a professional. 15. Look at other atypical writing sources. You write a lot of content every day in emails, instant messages, and more. Use those for inspiration. 16. Do some research. There is bound to be some topic that’s been nagging at you. Take some time and research the new topic, then write a summary. You get bonus points if you take a stance. 17. Ask your readers. If you have a devoted following, let them dictate your new material. They’ll know what they want to read.
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18. Participate in guest blogging. Let a fellow blogger submit an article for your blog. In turn, you can submit one for theirs. Writing for a new blog does several things. First, it lowers expectations as you don’t need to worry about disappointing your readers. Second, it usually gives you new subject matter. And three, it’ll help you increase your exposure. 19. Eliminate irritating noises. Put the crying baby in a soundproof room and throw the cat in the yard. Note: In some municipalities, this might be considered child or pet abuse. 20. Turn on the tunes. Some people may find that they work best when there is some degree of background noise or music. If opting for music, we suggest Pandora. 21. Write in a journal. The best thing about journals is that you can write anything in them. You might write about that mosquito that snuck through your screens. Perhaps you’ll talk about your latest paper cut… Writing without rules or restrictions is sure to cure any block. 22. Phone a friend. Pick up your phone and chat with a friend. Conversations are ideal for generating new thoughts and ideas. 23. Find God. Whether or not you believe in God, it may be time to pray to that higher power. 24. Brainstorm. Think of lots of different topics and words, and write them down. 25. Find an interesting statistic. Statistics are great ways to start an article, especially if they’re shocking or controversial. 26. Choose not to write. Sometimes, you’ll just have to accept defeat. Take a day off and come back tomorrow. 27. Write about a story on Digg. Go to the front page of Digg, or some other social networking website. Choose a popular story, and write about it. 28. Create a poll or question for users. Perhaps you should let your users generate the content. Create a poll or post a controversial question, and let your users do the writing. 29. Write about not having anything to write about. If done well, this can be rather interesting. 30. Link to content offsite. If you’ve found some interesting articles by other bloggers, create a list and post that as an article. 31. Comment on other blogs. When procrastinating or brain dead, get out of that slump by commenting on other blogs. Not only will it give you inspiration, but it will also give you a bit more exposure. 32. Find a large picture and turn it into an article. When it comes down to it, the problem is not often a complete lack of ideas, but the lack of an idea substantive enough to turn into an article. Solution: Find other ways to take up space on the page. A large image is perfect. Back in college, this — next to increased line-spacing, larger margins, block quotes, and wider fonts — was the preferred way for inflating an assignment. 33. Create a video. Who said that every post should be written? Why not make a video post? 34. Spy on your competitors. They’re probably writing about something good. Don’t steal their ideas, but maybe you can write a friendly critique. 35. Talk about the top news of the day. Regardless of your industry, there is always breaking news. A brief summary of what’s new is always great fodder for an article. 36. Throw a tantrum. If all else fails, blow off some steam. Stomp. Scream. Toss your insured electronics at the wall. And pull your hair… Of course, this remedy might be age-specific. Of course not all of those suggestions will be applicable in a given situation. But even if only one of them helps to pull you out of that hole by giving you a hint on how to overcome writer’s block it will have perfectly served its purpose. Going on an interview for a job will likely be the most important time in your new career. All eyes are on you in the job interview and depending on how you come across, you may or may not land the job you want. There is only one opportunity to do things right. It is vitally important to be prepared for this event.
The first thing you should take when going to a job interview is a map to the office you will be visiting. If you haven't been there too many times it is important to know where you are going and when you need to be there. You should always give yourself plenty of extra time, just in case there is a wreck or other problem that slows down your trip. While many interviewers are understanding about delays in arrival, it still looks unprofessional. It is better if you never have to try to explain your tardiness in the first place. Resume - Yes, you already sent in your resume when you were first vying for the job, but in a large business things get shuffled around and it's better to make sure you have this information on hand, just in case it's wanted. It also wouldn't hurt to look over what your cv writer put in your resume a few times before you go into the interview. Think of it as your cliff notes on your career. Job Application - Whether or not you have filled out a job application before, you should take one with you. It never fails someone will ask you to fill another one out during your interview. If you already have one ready to go you will not only save yourself time, but also stress. There is nothing more annoying than pulling out a driver's license and other important documents to copy appropriate numbers and codes onto a job application. This is made worse if you feel like the interviewer is waiting for you to get done. It's better to have it finished before hand. It will likely also impress the interviewer that you had such forethought. Reference Letters - It's always good to have a support system, especially if it's one you can show off. While you may have sent in reference letters with your resume, you may as well have a copy of these with you when you go into the office so you could pull them out, if the occasion arises. Identification - If things go well, the interviewer may ask you for various documents to prove who you are. Generally this means you need to have a driver's license on you. You should already have this if you drove to the interview, but it's important to remember. For some employers there is a need for proof of country residency, or certain driving abilities. If this is the case in the job you are applying for, make sure to have these items on you. Again, no one may ask, but it's better to be ready with the items just in case they do. Proof Of Skills - If you are interviewing for a job that requires special certifications, training or licensing, and you have these things, bring proof. Copies of any licenses or certificates should be ready to present in order to show you have what it takes to take on the job they are considering you for. Professional Finish - All of these items should be kept neatly organized in a professional looking binder. Don't take them in a file folder or other messy looking carrier. Put out a few dollars for a nice professional portfolio you can slip file folders into, keeping all these items neat and crisp looking. |
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November 2017
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