Unblock your writer within

Sometimes the seeming enormity of getting a web site project completed just puts you in such a tizzy that you can't think of what to write about! I'm going to share with you one of my invaluable techniques when it comes to planning what to write.

Get a piece of white paper - just reach over the your printer right now.

Write down the topic you are going to be writing about smack dab in the middle of the paper.

Circle it.

You will now write whatever comes to mind:

Starting from about the 1 o'clock position I want you to draw a line that's as long as the word that you just thought of. Draw a line under that word coming out from the edge of your center circle. Imagine this is a 'tree trunk'.

If you think of anything that comes under that subject just add a 'branch' and write your new word on it. Keep branching out till you run dry.

No more branches on that first tree trunk? Ok, going clockwise, create another tree trunk and branch combo.

Keep doing this until you come all the way back to the 11 or 12 o'clock position.

If you notice anything on your trunk or branches that might need connecting then join them up, as creatively as you please. Add little doodles or notes here and there if you need to.

In essence what you have created is a mind map.

Mind maps are fabulous tools that throw the rigidity of lists out the window. They are a lot more fun to write out than lists too, and because of their structure you can remember their content better, while seeing relationships between elements clearly.

I use this technique every day for my to-do list. I find it a lot more effective that using my PDA or other electronic system to notify me of what I need to do. I use some bright highlighters to mark of items as I work through them. By the end of the day if I am dazzled by color I know I did my job. :)

Tomorrow you can read the article I wrote about using the mind map at the top of this post.