Are you just like I was seven years ago? By that, I mean – do you struggle with writer’s block when it comes to proposals? Have you spent too many all-nighters rewriting atrocious proposal sections? Do you spend nights and days without seeing your family because proposal writing occupies all of your time? Do you work with people who dislike writing wholesale and will do everything else, but postpone the writing portion of a proposal as much as possible?

The secret to beating writer’s block is to master speed-writing techniques. Speed-writing techniques include learning the correct writing processes, using the right tools to automate and streamline many writing tasks, and mastering your psychology. Psychological barriers are the main obstacles that slow down the writing process for subject matter experts and even for seasoned writers. Overcoming writer’s block is one small but important component of getting your mindset to serve you rather than hinder you in writing.

Here are some of my favorite tips on overcoming writer’s block:

1. Give yourself mini-deadlines. Set up a timer and write in 20-minute intervals. Shorter deadlines will help you focus better and get more done in a set period of time.
   
   
2. Take advantage of the mind-body connection. It is easy to get glued to your desk, but your mind is highly dependent on your physical state. If you feel stuck and writing is not happening, try to stimulate your physical state by massaging your temples to improve circulation, doing breathing exercises, and going for a walk or run – repetitive motion will clear up your mind unlike anything else.
   
   
3. Alter your blood chemistry the healthy way. Eat a high-protein, low-sugar snack, such as a handful of nuts; a piece of natural beef jerky; a cup of cottage cheese with sliced fresh fruit; or a hard-boiled egg. Stay away from sugar and caffeine that will give you a quick spike and a crash. Definitely stay away from the typical war room snacks – candy and granola bars, cookies, chips, and soda.

If you would like to learn my system for proposal speed writing and mastering advanced persuasion techniques, take my Proposal Speed-Writing Workshop: Writing Better Proposal Sections in Half the Time (November 15-16, 2011, in Rockville, MD). This workshop will teach you techniques to write better and faster, and will show you how to turn your SMEs into better writers as well – so that you never have to spend sleepless nights writing and rewriting proposals again. Register at www.ostglobalsolutions.com/proposal-writing-workshop.

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Check out our other upcoming classes:

• Nov. 10-11. Preparing winning multiple award and task order proposals
• Nov. 17-18. Proposal solution development: win themes, management, risk, past performance, resumes, technical volumes
• Dec. 5. Cost proposal strategy for proposal managers
• Dec. 6-7. Proposal management: how to write less and win more
• Dec. 8-9. Capture management: how to position to win before an RFP issuance

To learn more or register please go to www.ostglobalsolutions.com/training/schedule.
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… PROPOSAL support: If you are short-staffed, your proposal load is heavy, or you don’t have the right skills in-house, we can get you the right help. Please contact Ben Goessling for your proposal development needs at 301-384-3350 ext. 104, or send us an inquiry at service@ostglobalsolutions.com.

… BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT support: Outsource your business development to our experts and find government contracting opportunities in your core competency areas. Contact Alex Brown at 301-384-3350 ext. 102, or send u s an inquiry at service@ostglobalsolutions.com.

Olessia Smotrova-Taylor
President/CEO

OST Global Solutions, Inc.
Your resource for Capture and Proposal Management
...Because there is no second place in proposals!
+1.301.384.3350
service@ostglobalsolutiuons.com
www.ostglobalsolutions.com
7361 Calhoun Pl, Suite 560 Rockville, MD, 20855

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