When The Words Get In The Way {Tips for overcoming writer's block}
Mar 11, 2022
The coffee was steaming out of my cup as I opened up my email and read the following words:
“I’m having a hard time writing my speech for our upcoming team celebration. Is this something we could work on together in a coaching session?”
Excitement coursed through my veins as I checked my schedule and then quickly replied, “Yes, absolutely!” Helping people craft a compelling message is one of my favorite kinds of coaching to do! So we set up a session and walked through what was causing the writers block and then went to work crafting a speech that would be meaningful for her presentation.
Now, I won’t be able to help you work through the cause of your writer's block in a blog post. I just won’t. That type of help requires an actual coaching session to dive into your thought processes and root beliefs. However, what I can do in a blog post is share a few tips to help guide you in getting a clear idea of what you want to share for the presentation that is giving you writer’s block.
These four tips can help you overcome writer's block for a speech, team meeting, book, marketing campaign, sales pitch… really, anything you need words for. When the words get in the way, do these...
1. What is the theme of your message?
It might be to encourage your team at a yearly celebration, to rally a community around a common goal, or it might be sharing your personal story of a struggle you overcame. It might even be addressing areas of your company that need to be strengthened. Whatever it is, narrow in on it and brainstorm a possible title. This will help you focus and stay on track as you go.
2. What are the details from your experience that are the most important?
These type of details will usually be the ones people have been strong emotional reactions to. They might get tears in their eyes or say WOW with wide eyes when you talk about it. Those are the ones you want to talk about in public because they are the ones that relate to people the most.
3. What did you learn specifically during this season about the theme of your message?
For example, if the theme and title of your talk is called, “Rejoicing in the Trials,” then you would want to share what it or learned about rejoicing in your trials. Pull out no more than three main points that you want to craft your talk/story around.
4. What do you want the audience to walk away with?
This will help you craft your points around what you've learned. Even when you share your personal story, make sure there’s a point! Draw it all together in a meaningful way that helps the audience apply it to their own lives.
The words we speak and write have the ability to move people to take positive actions in their lives. These four tips are the best place to start when words are hard.
Much love,
Coach Mandy
P.S. I’ve got a few special offers for the person who wants to take their speaking and writing skills to a whole new level! If that’s you, keep reading…
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Mandy B. Anderson is a Certified Life Coach, a Certified Executive Coach, and the Co-Founder of RAYMA Team. She was awarded the honor of being in the Top 25 Women in Business for 2020 by Prairie Business Magazine. Anderson lives by the water in North Dakota with her husband, Nate, and her furbaby, Indigo - a petite goldendoodle with a big personality. She loves to sip her coffee every morning and watch the sunrise, while most likely searching for the next perfect pair of stilettos. Learn how to work with her at https://www.raymateam.com/mandy-1-1-coaching.
