As a professional public relations and marketing writer, I know that I can struggle at my desk for 20 minutes to find the perfect introduction to a piece. Yet if I take a break to walk around my yard, the words tumble into place after a few moments with the sun on my shoulders.
It is one of the great ironies of writing, especially when you are creating an eyeball-catching online ad, marketing blog, or digital marketing presentation: What you do away from your desk can make all the difference.
Here are some tips for keeping your writing spot on when you face a deadline:
1. Read, read, read. Keep your vocabulary fresh by reading everything you can get your hands on. Find inspiration in the muscular, intelligent prose of Jon Krakauer’s adventure books, Rex Stout’s brilliant and funny Nero Wolfe mysteries, Raymond Carver’s less-is-more short stories.
2. Color outside the lines. Studies show that our brains stay healthy not only when we build knowledge in our chosen field, but when we learn to do new things. Learn a second language, play a new sport or musical instrument to stay fresh from 9-5 and beyond.
3. Get on the ball. Have you ever tried an inflatable exercise ball as a desk chair? By encouraging good posture, it can help you avoid “writer’s slump.” It is also good for taking short exercise breaks to stretch your neck, back, and leg muscles. Yes, writing is a full-body pursuit.
4. Vacation more. “The more the pay, the more vacay” aptly describes the need for execs in high-pressure positions to take more time off to recharge. If a week away from the office is not your style, try more long weekends in places where you have to work to find an Internet connection.
Guarding our wellness is an important part of producing excellent work at Softscribe. What’s your favorite way to recharge and keep your life in balance?
Bonus points by Mike: I recently found a fine example of a company’s response to changing customer preferences in the bread aisle at my local supermarket. Earth Grains’ multi-grain thin buns, about 1/3 as thick as regular buns, are low in calories and make a welcome less-is-more addition to your next backyard barbecue—another good way to recharge yourself.
