NB: This article is based on excerpts from my ebook titled “WHY YOU KEEP FAILING TO ACHIEVE YOUR WRITING GOALS! (10 Habits That Are Holding You Back…And How To Change Them For Good!)”
“The brain is exactly like any other part of the body: it can be strengthened by proper exercise, by proper use. Put your arm in a sling and keep it there for a considerable length of time, and when you take it out, you find that you can’t use it. In the same way, the brain that isn’t used suffers atrophy.” – Thomas Edison
In the above quote, Edison was referring to the need to make regular use of one’s brain for deep creative and analytical thinking. People who form the habit of thinking about things – especially if they also take the time to read as well – will find that over time they become more intellectually productive.
This is true for writers.
In order to write, you have to think about what you want to write e.g. the title to use, the opening, the core message and so on.
It’s this constant requirement for thought and reflection, that trains a writer’s brain to deliver at an increased level of productivity over time.
In other words, regular writing is actually an excellent form of exercise for your brain. And the more often you write, the easier it gets.
And by the way, don’t let anyone mislead you – there is NO best time to write. You can WILL yourself to do it anytime you want.
How regularly do you write? If it’s not often, that could be a reason why you struggle to do it. In order to make progress, write as frequently as possible.
Physical Exercise Boosts Mental Stamina, for Intellectually Demanding Tasks – Like Writing!
But exercising your brain is just one half of the solution you may need. For a mentally tasking vocation like writing, regular physical exercise can boost your productivity many times over.
If you didn’t know, take it from me: Mental exercise can only get you so far. To achieve superior levels of writing productivity, you need physical exercise.
The human body is interesting. Without regular exercise, it tends to settle into a rut – even up “there”. Interestingly however, you may not need more than 10 minutes every day to wake the body up.
Doing more can of course get you greater returns, but 10 minutes of smart non-stressful (daily) exercising alone can do wonders for your brain – and ultimately, your writing.
Can you recall how you felt right after being exposed to some kind of tense encounter or danger e.g. escaping from a stalker, a burning building, or a dangerous dog?
Notice how alert your body, and brain “felt”? How your thoughts and reflexes miraculously became razor sharp?
I have seen a fat person, with seemingly no athletic ability – while under the influence of fear generated adrenaline – scale a height that he would never have consciously attempted, in order to escape from what he considered a dangerous situation.
I left competitive sports about 18 years ago (I played state level handball from the age of 12 till I graduated from the university at 22). Since then, I have tried to do at least 70 push-ups (sometimes adding 50 sit-ups) every day, and rounding up with “Yoga style” stretching exercises.
It usually takes me about 15 minutes. These days, I’m joined by my kids – including their 3 year old sister.
My exercise regimen always leaves me feeling alert and ready to tackle the day’s tasks. I’ve had colleagues and clients comment, many times, on my work related stamina.
And although I no longer work on site, there was a time when I would arrive a hotel client’s premises at 6a.m, to work on a custom MS Excel-VB software development project, and leave at 1.00a.m the next day. I now work mostly from home, but still do such marathon “runs” – when necessary – to meet deadlines.
Regular exercise primes your body with adrenaline and other hormones that enable you deliver optimal performance when necessary.
You develop physical/mental stamina. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve used the above experience based analogies to help you understand how regular exercise, even if done for only a few minutes, can boost your productivity.
I suggest you adopt an exercise regimen that suits you.
If you’re new to it, or it’s been a while since you last did it, start small…and slow.
You’re not competing with anyone. We just need to get more movement going on in your body. So, take it easy!
For those who never used to exercise, this may be a little hard to understand. But once you start doing it, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.
LEARN MORE!
Click here to get the full ebook titled “WHY YOU KEEP FAILING TO ACHIEVE YOUR WRITING GOALS! (10 Habits That Are Holding You Back…And How To Change Them For Good!)“