#056 - Stuck? Discover the Power of a Brain Dump

Welcome back to the Hit Splits. My name is Shelly Hits, the owner and founder of Christian Book Academy, our online membership where we help you write words that outlive you, self publish books that fulfill your calling and reach more readers with your message. In today's episode, I just wanted to talk to those of you that feel stuck right now. So you could be feeling stuck and even just getting started with your book. Maybe you haven't even nailed down your topic or have even a basic outline. Maybe you're stuck in writing your first draft, or maybe you're just stuck in the midst of your self editing and final draft stage. Maybe all the details of self publishing are feeling overwhelming or maybe it's something to do with your book launch or your marketing. Whatever stage of the kingdom writers path you're in, there can be moments where you feel stuck. And that's where I want to mention the power of, of a brain dump. I've talked about this so many times and in so many different ways, but I just think it's powerful to be reminded. And lately I have been reminded of this as well. And there's something powerful about writing out with your hand. So on paper, with pen or pencil, and however you want to do that. I sometimes write on my Apple or my iPad, my Apple device, with the Apple pencil. That still works because you're writing it out. And I'll use GoodNotes, but lately I've been using my Rocketbook journals and those are erasable journals. And that's been kind of fun, just trying something new. But whatever it is, just get a basic notebook and pen and paper and do a brain dump. So just this, this just means first just clearing the clutter. So writing out just in, you know, just letting, letting your thoughts flow. Like what, what are the thoughts running through your mind right now? Like, oh, I need to go to the grocery store and get this. Or I, I need to not forget to call so and so or this thing is due and it's stressing me out. Whatever it is, just take a, a pause, take a few deep breaths and just recognize like what are the thoughts going through your mind and just start writing them out. Write everything out. And just be honest. Like whatever it is that you're feeling, whatever it is that you're, you're thinking about, get it out. Because basically what you're doing is you're clearing the clutter. It's like those thoughts can almost like scream loud in your mind if you don't pay attention to them. Let them have a little bit of space, get them out in your journal and then move on. You know, there might be some things that you need to add to a to do list. I write almost everything down. I don't trust my memory. So maybe there are some things that come out in that that you need to add to your to do list or whatever project management system you use, or maybe it's, you know, your Google calendar or whatever it is. But get those thoughts out and then think about the. The thing that you're stuck on. If it's your writing, you know, start just writing about, like, what. What do I want to write about? You know, if I could write about anything, I would write about and then just start brainstorming. And again, it's a brain dump. You can call it a brainstorm sometimes, but the initial rid of the clutter, that is just a brain dump. You're dumping all the things out of your brain onto paper. Now we're kind of moving into more of a brainstorm where now you're kind of just. And. And you can ask for God for God's guidance too. As you're brainstorming, as you're dumping all this stuff out of your brain, say, God, what is it you have for me today? What is it you want me to do with my writing? How would you recommend that I market my book? And that's where it kind of starts coming into a mini business meeting with God, right? Basically, it's all like having a prayer journal and just getting that stuff out. But I just think sometimes we just stay stuck because we don't see a way out. And I think if you'll just take a few minutes, even set your timer for 15 minutes and just start writing things out. Write out all the things that are weighing you down, all the things on your mind right now. But then just start brainstorming. I think you will discover that clarity begins to come. Now, it may take longer than 15 minutes on certain days. I mean, sometimes I literally am doing this for a couple hours now. Not all the time, but when I have something really pressing that I'm working through, it may take longer and you may not have a couple hours. And that's okay. Take the time that you have. And I guarantee even just taking 15 minutes a day and just getting all these things out on paper, asking God for his wisdom, his guidance, what is it he has for you to focus on, it will make a difference. And, you know, if you are struggling with hearing God's voice, I highly recommend Mark Verkler's voice book on how to hear God's voice. Or if you're in Christian Book Academy, check out the Kingdom Foundation Foundations module because we have a whole training. I purchased the rights to use it from Mark Verkler and I have a whole training based on his content on how to hear God's voice. And it really did transform my relationship with Him. And it has spilled in to these times of journaling, the prayer, journaling the business meetings with God, the the brain dumps list, all the things that it just makes me sensitive to hearing from him and receiving from Him. So anyways, go do it. Go try it today. Set your timer for at least 15 minutes and let me know how it goes. If you're a Christian Book Academy member, post in the discussion channel in our private group or you can email supportrainingauthors.com I hope that you're enjoying this hit splits podcast and I will talk to you next time. Bye bye.