4 weird tricks that get me out of a funk

You might see me with thousands of followers, publishing several pieces on most days and think…

This guy Alex is not normal. He's got a special talent for writing more than most people that he was born with.

But that's not true. I regularly fall into motivation slumps.

I have mini slumps most days.

But I've been in the game long enough to know how to quickly get out of them.

Here are a few:

1. I think about people I know who aren't doing well.

I know. Sounds sadistic, but I wouldn't share this if it didn't help.

People often get overwhelmed when they feel further behind, at least in their perception of what 'behind' is. They see others doing well, and it makes many, including me, feel even more stunted. Less energised.

Instead, I think about who's struggling. The main reason I do this is that it triggers gratitude for what I have. And that puts me in a more optimistic, creative mode.

I look back over my little achievements and reviews.

2. I write lists.

Oh baby, do I love lists. Most of my 1,400 published articles are lists in some form.

But lists are great ways for me to push some creative nuggets around and warm me up if I'm stuck.

I write lists of solutions to problems I'm having. I write lists of new book ideas, products I could make, and small ways to improve my life.

Many of these lists become articles you read (like this one). It's like I found a cheat code to easy writing I would have done anyway.

3. I'll read a book, ideally a paper book, for ten minutes.

I'm not dropping into mindless distraction; instead, I'm engaging in semi-active consumption.

The paperback part is nice, because it's tactile. A further reminder that I'm no longer inside my head.

This realigns the creative part of my brain, turning me on to things that inspire me or stories that show me what's possible.

It also gives my highly critical mind a rest, which is exactly the state I need to be in to be more effortlessly creative.

4. I free write for at least five minutes.

Free writing means committing to pounding keys for a stretch of time without the weight of critical thinking.

I write whatever comes to mind. It's more of a meditation than writing.

This can be extremely helpful because, believe it or not, writing is far better when you aren't actively thinking. The best writing comes through flow.

Few people know how to write with flow, which is why so many now outsource their creativity to AI.

Free writing loosens me up, creates momentum, and updates my identity from:

Stuck and can't write, to:

I'm a writer.

By the way, you've been hearing me talk about writing and creating for a long time now.

You're dabbling. You're doing it. You know you want to grow a readership of people who actually give a shit about what you have to say.

But you could use some help directly from someone who's been in the online writing trenches for over 15 years.

That's me. You can learn from me, and save years of frustration if you like.

I show you the many secrets that transformed my online writing from:

'Who cares, mate?' TO:

'Okay, I actually like this guy, let me subscribe.'

Learn more about how to grow your brand directly from someone who's grown a quarter of a million readers over the years.

HERE.

Alex