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📩 What you’ll get out of this newsletter: a pre‑publish ritual that makes shipping feel safe enough to do.
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Happy Friday y’all
This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about writer’s block and how staying consistent isn’t really about waiting for inspiration, it’s about showing up even when you don’t feel ready (saying this mostly to remind myself lol)
I wrote a few thoughts on how I keep going when the creative spark feels dim, hopefully it’s helpful! Let’s dive in.
What are we talking about, really?
A small exposure practice for creative work. Not bravado. You reduce uncertainty, publish on a tiny stage, learn, then repeat. Just remember, writing or publishing, or whatever you do, is a process, not a feeling. You ship first, confidence follows, because you lower the stakes and add structure.
1. Why it works, the psychology
Fear spikes with uncertainty and imagined judgment. Naming the risk lowers arousal.
Predictable steps move the brain from threat to task.
Repeated, bite‑size exposures reshape identity: “I am someone who ships.”
2. Repeatable mechanics, the levers
Fear inventory: write the exact story your critic is telling.
Tiny stage: send to a small segment or closed group first.
Scope box: one idea, 200 words, one image, one ask.
Receipt of proof: include one screenshot, stat, or mini example.
Single CTA: one reply or one click.
Two‑line debrief: what landed, what to try next.
3. Workflow, Step-By-Step:
Minute 0–2: Name and box the fear
Write: “I’m afraid of [specific thing]. If it happens, I will [repair step].”
Minute 2–4: Pick the tiny stage
Choose one: close friends list, private community, a 10% email segment, notes app screenshot to three peers.
Minute 4–6: Set scope
Paste this skeleton: Problem, Shift, Steps, Close. Cap at 200 words.
Minute 6–14: Draft ugly
No formatting. No links. Get to done.
Minute 14–17: Add one proof
A screenshot, a metric, a named example. One sentence of context.
Minute 17–19: Add one ask
“Was this useful? Reply with one word: ‘helpful’ or ‘meh’.”
Minute 19–20: Ship
Send to the tiny stage. Put a checkmark on your calendar.
After: Two‑line debrief (60 seconds)
Keep: ___________________________________________________
Change next time: ________________________________________
Run this sprint three times a week. Friday, post the best version to your full audience.
4. Patterns to avoid (sharp pitfalls)
Editing while drafting.
Publishing only when it “feels ready.”
Crowdsourcing courage with 10 pre‑reads.
Big stage first, no safety net.
Vague CTAs you cannot measure.
5. Make this your next move, a fill‑in skeleton
Paste this into your notetaker of choice (Notes, Notion, Google Docs, etc.) and use it as a jumping off point (feel free to print if you prefer writing your ideas by hand!):
A) Print or save this permission slip
________________________________________________________ e.g. “Today I publish a useful note that may be imperfect. It is safe enough to ship.”
B) Fill these blanks
Fear → Repair: e.g. “If I get a snarky comment, I will delete it and email one friendly reader.”
______________________________________________
Scope box: 200 words, one proof, one ask.
C) Use one of these micro‑formats
Note: e.g. “One mistake I keep seeing… Fix it by…”
Mini playbook: e.g. “3 steps I used to go from A to B.”
Receipt: e.g. “Before → After with one screenshot.”
D) Calendar guardrail
Block 20 minutes, Mon, Wed, Fri at the same time. Title it “Ship, don’t polish.”
TL;DR (Keep It Simple!)
Don’t wait to feel brave, make it safe enough to act.
Shrink the stage, shrink the scope, keep the proof.
One ask beats five links.
Debrief in two lines, then move on.
Reps create identity, identity creates ease.
When in doubt, just consider this…
Being consistent builds momentum.
Having momentum brings clarity.
And clarity will bring you alllllll the inspo you need.
So, if you’re hitting a creative wall this week, consider this your nudge to just start. And if you’re really stuck or need a push, hit reply and we can jam together.
Feeling more creative already,
— Alex 💭 (@heyalexfriedman)
P.S. We’ve got a couple slots left for November for personal brand audits and strategy. If you are a founder / CEO with a growing business and are looking for clarity & purpose in building your brand online and offline, let’s chat!
