CenterPoint Community Blog

I've been a big fan of mindmapping for many years - for many purposes. In graduate school I would use mindmapping as a way of consolidating and studying material that I was learning. As a speaker, I use mindmapping to help me plot out a workshop or keynote presentation. And definitely, as a writer, I use mindmapping constantly to assist me in generating and organizing my ideas - and to get me unstuck.

Once you discover mindmapping - and really give it time and an opportunity to become your new default - you will wonder why you ever used an outline (at least once you got out of high school where outlines may have been required). I am not anti-outline just like I'm not anti-Compaq computers (the old luggable kind like I used to have). It's just that once you know there is something better, why go back to a less effective and efficient tool?

Do you ever have those times where you know you should be writing, where you want to be writing, where you really, really feel pressured about writing...but aren't getting your writing done? See if one of these five tips can help you build some momentum...

Is being a writer easy?  Even those who make a full time living as writers wouldn't say, "Yes," to that question.  If you could use some new tactics (or reminders of old ones) that will increase your writing productivity, take a look at these four.

No matter what 'job' you need to do, you need good tools. These are tools that I find helpful - and I'm a reasonably prolific writer. Some are 'old fashioned' and others are new-fangled. Use what works for you, but know that I highly recommend the following:

Have you ever pretended to be writing?  If you answer 'no,' I might have to say you're lying.  If you answer 'yes,' then you're just like the rest of us who write.  We find a multitude of ways to look like, feel like, and sometimes give the impression (mainly to ourselves) that we are actually writing.  In fact, however, we're just messing around and pretending.  See if you recognize any of these 'signs' of pretend writing...

No matter what your profession, being a better (and published) writer will increase your success. Here are some books that you will find useful to consider for your library of books about writing and publishing.

If you are a speaker, writer, consultant, entrepreneur, teacher, professor, or any other profession where generating ideas is valued (and is required), you might have asked a question similar to the one asked recently on my blog:

I am in awe of your output. You are constantly generating something! How do you do it? I want to create my own version of the Top 10 but am nervous that it will quickly overwhelm me.

My response includes a thank you, first of all...and then some answers:  

Committing one’s words to parchment – whether that parchment is paper, electronic or the next thing to come along – is making your mark on history. It is stating loudly and clearly, “I existed. I was here. I had something to say and I had the courage to write it down for eternity.”

Do you ever get "stuck" when you're writing? If you are a writer, of course you do. Here are ten tips to help you get unstuck.