The one and only way to be a good writer.

Let’s face it. There are days when you sit down at your computer, with every intention of cranking out something useful and what you get is just a bunch of bla bla bla. I mean, it’s not just me, right? Maybe it’s something for a client, maybe it’s for your brand. Either way, the inspiration is on vacay. The artist in me hates these days. I tend to think if I can’t write something inspired, poetic, or profound then I must be completely failing as a creator. But I've come to learn that I must write anyway.

“They” say you have to work your writing muscle just like any other. Repeated movements eventually build stronger muscles that work a little less hard to accomplish the same result. I’m living out this very thing as a new member of Orangetheory Fitness. Talk about workin’ some muscles!

Those days when inspiration is lacking are hard. I don't feel like writing. I'd rather put up the laundry or clean the bathrooms or a number of other household chores that are not fun in any way.

I’m actually struggling with it at this very moment. Working on a sales letter for a client and every time I re-read the prior paragraph I just sit here with that look on my face. Like, what the what, Janda, can’t you do any better than this? This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever read. I’m just not feeling it.

Write anyway, Janda.

So, I decided to take a quick break to write about not feeling like writing. Maybe describing my feelings will conjure up some level of creativity or at least a level of satisfaction that will allow me to be happy with the work.

Nope.

But I’ll close this out and go back to the document and type for 20 more minutes. Then I’ll come back in the morning with fresh eyes and see what I can improve. Or hey, maybe it will be amazing and I won’t even blink before hitting “send”. Either way, I'm going to write anyway.

PS.

The next day I came back to the sales letter with fresh eyes and fresh coffee. I reworked some things. Rephrased a few key thoughts. I still felt uninspired and unoriginal. Then I sent it to my project manager who, guess what...complimented my work! She sent it to the client who, guess what....also liked the wok.

It was a good lesson that sometimes work is work, and you have to force yourself to do it. But if you keep at it, you’ll eventually get to something you can be proud of, even if the artist in you is not doing an interpretive dance of joy and happiness.

And above all, the most important lesson learned, even when you're not feeling it, in order to be a great writer, you got it...

Write anyway.