I woke up with a gigantic zit on my chin.

My high school reunion is just a couple of weeks away and I knew if I left that monstrosity alone it would end up getting even bigger. Big enough, in fact, to warrant its own ZIP code.

I needed to get an early start today on some work but, seriously, this huge-o zit just wouldn’t let me focus. It hurt, darn it.

So I popped it. (Ewww.)

Blessed relief.

Sometimes you just gotta get the junk out before things can get back to normal.

And so it is with writing.

If you’ve struggled (even a bit) with formulating your ideas, finishing (or starting) a project, or nailing the copy, perhaps there’s some junk you need to get out before you can move on.

Junk can be circumstantial, such as a cluttered desk or disorganized office, or it can be situational, such as dealing with a family emergency or work crisis.

While I don’t believe in becoming too distracted from our productive work, sometimes it helps to deal with the thing that’s bugging us the most so we can get back to the task at hand or, better yet, break through to new ideas.

Here’s a plan for clearing out the junk and making way for good ideas and great copy:

1. Take 5 minutes to decide what’s niggling you. It may be more than one thing so make a list if you have to.
2. Decide one action you can take right now to eliminate it — and do it.
3. Make a list of other actions to take (if necessary) and plan for them in your day or on your calendar.
4. Focus for 15-60 minutes on idea generation, brainstorming or writing.
5. If the “thing” is still niggling at you, take another action or two or three, but limit your dealing of it to one hour.

That’s it. That should free up your mind and energy at least in the short term. Repeat as often as necessary.

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