I was listening to author A.J. Jacobs talk about his creative process when he is writing. He is a really interesting guy and goes all in with his book projects. One of his books is his saga of trying to follow every rule in the Bible for a year and another one where he read all 33 volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
You would think a guy like that would have no trouble with writer’s block, but it happens to him quite frequently. He has a simple, but effective technique he uses to combat writer’s block.
He just sits down and starts writing.
The writing could be complete nonsense, but the physical act of writing gets the creative juices flowing. The old fake it until you make it technique.
He based his actions on this quote by Habitat For Humanity Founder Millard Fuller:
“It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking, than it is to think yourself into a new way of acting.”
That is a great point! Your mind will eventually catch up to your actions, but you have to start first.
Science has proven that if you are upset, but if you can force your face into a smile it will trick your brain into becoming happier. Or if you are feeling insecure in a situation, ask yourself “What would a confident person do?” Then do whatever you come up with!
This all sounds crazy, but I have seen it come true over and over with exercise. It’s been proven both with myself and with my boot campers. I tell my clients, to just show up and the magic will happen. If you make it to the workout, you will make it happen.
Try asking yourself questions that are framed by your goals. Questions like “What would someone who loves to exercise do here?” or “What meals would a really fit person prepare today?”
