Get going and don’t get stuck!

Many of us face the prospect of writing a proposal, report, or other important document with trepidation, and maybe even dread.

Don’t! These projects are an outstanding opportunity to present your programs and new ideas with pride and confidence about how to do more and do it better. A positive approach can help you get—and keep—the ball rolling.

Get Going…

• Know your best writing time and use it. The earlier I’m at my desk the better.
• Prepare your writing space to help you get focused. I’m most productive when my desk is clear of paperwork, files and my to-do list.
• Get going. A rough draft is a great start. You can polish it up later.
• Copy existing, relevant material into your draft. This will save time, help you identify gaps, and generate momentum as the page begins to fill up.
• Turn off your email. When I’m writing I check my mail once an hour and then I turn it off again.
• Put a sign on your office door, like “Grant due—please do not disturb!” People get that.
• If you need quiet space, borrow an office, come in early, or work from home. The progress you make when uninterrupted will energize you to get the job done.

… and don’t get stuck!

• Early drafts can be a hodge-podge of previously written material and new ideas and content—a real mess. Don’t let that derail you. Clean up one section at a time and the sense of accomplishment will help you keep at it.
• If something isn’t working, try moving words, phrases, or sentences around to test new approaches and get back on track.
• Mix it up. Tackle one section today and draft the next one tomorrow. Some people start with the hardest part. You’ll know what works best for you.
• Get feedback. There’s no substitute for another point of view. You might find inspiration in a new way of looking at things.
• Don’t let required proposal responses hamper your enthusiasm. The donor wants to know your vision for the future. Keep the big picture front and center to help you through the tedium.
• If you’re just plain stuck, forget about your project for a while. Take a break, make a phone call, or work on something else and come back later. I’m always amazed—and relieved—by the benefits.

Writing is hard work. Create incentives. I worked with someone who planned a long weekend right after the deadline of a giant grant. The anticipation of an extra day at home in her pajamas kept this creative writer going through an arduous process.

And by the way, I got stuck while I was writing this article. My solution? Walk fast! When I get logy I head out for some brisk autumn air (or frigid winter temps) to get me going and clear my head. It usually works.