How to Overcome Fatigue as a Freelance Writer

One of the common problems that plague us as article writers is fatigue - a sense of energy deprivation that proves to be a psychological barrier stopping us from writing. I differentiate it from a writers' block which is a typical issue experienced writer's face when they seem to hit a mental block. It is very important to differentiate fatigue from writers block. I use the term fatigue here in complete variation. My definition of writers fatigue is the sense of tiredness that we as writers get affected by and are unable to write even when we have ideas brimming in our head. We are unable to gather the physical energy to continue writing. Even as we sit in front of the computer, open a file and begin typing we seem to drift away in thoughts. We are unable to gather the physical conviction to write - stuck by a sense of being bored to death.

I face this problem at times. Even though my mind is full to ideas to write about, a sense of lethargy overtakes me every time I decide to get on to my machine and begin writing. I feel exhausted even before I have begun. I realize that as a freelance writer I can ill afford to get into this mode. Like a professional sportsperson playing for a League, I have to ensure that I am able to generate the words and ideas that clients require or to complete an article that I may be writing for any publication.

To succeed as freelance writers the most important aspect is to pursue work with a sense of discipline towards work and clients. We are bound to lose clients and will fail to succeed if we are not able to do that. Hence to succeed as a freelance writer we need to work; driven with a sense of discipline. It is this discipline which we will fail to achieve if our work is ridden by fatigue.

How do we overcome it? I have a few practical tips which I have been using for my writing based on life lessons. These have proved helpful to me and maybe it works for you too:

Body Stretching: It goes without saying that exercise is a must if you want to maintain your physical and mental alertness as a writer. But I am one of those for whom doing regular exercises still remains a carry forward resolution. However, I find it very helpful to do a bit of very ordinary shall-not-move-from-where-I-am kind of stretching exercises. The benefits are many. Most importantly it makes me conscious that I got to get moving now.

Shift your place: When you think that you need to write but are unable to gather the physical energy to write, move from the place and activity in which you are involved at that time. Let me give you an example. Say I am watching TV when I have an idea on which I would like to write about, but feel ridden by fatigue, I would typically stop watching TV and maybe go for a walk. A quick distraction from what you are currently involved in, at times proves very helpful to maintain the mental focus and physical attention towards work.

Use a combination of writing tool: Don't wait to get on to the computer to write. If you feel that you have an idea which you would like to write about but not the physical energy to sustain you through the complete article, ideally take up a note pad and scribble down your thoughts. It actually helps, because many a times it is the thought of the preparations that you need to do before beginning to actually write that leaves you with a sense of fatigue. When I have an idea, I just hate to think that I need to now get up, switch on my computer and get into the act. I have found from my experience that using simple tools like a note book can be more helpful to me at time rather working on the computer. Writing on a note book actually generates the thrust and chances are that you would end up writing more than you thought you had the energy to do. These days I have begun using my QWERTY keypad mobile to supplement my work. I find it better as I can use it to save file and transfer them straight into my PC later; also the fact that I can save the file and work on it later makes it very handy for me. I can work on multiple articles and save them here on my mobile.

Prepare an outline: This is a rather interesting activity. You may have an idea which you want to construct as a article, but feel that you don't have the energy to pull the whole thing in one go then work on the article outline. Make the process interesting. Put on the alarm for yourselves and produce a mind map. You can dump it if you don't end up liking it. But at least that gets you involved in the article writing process.

These are a few tips that I have learnt from my experience. I hope you will find it helpful. If so, do let me know, either here or on my blog. I also look forward to your ideas on how you mange fatigue.