As I mentioned in my latest article, I've been busy these last couple of weeks and that has kept me away from writing. This week, I had the time to do so.
But I struggled.
One of the things about writing is that you need to actually sit down, put the words down, and connect the dots.
I have a process for writing my articles. One of the steps involves thinking about topics that I believe have helped me and could help you. That part is sometimes really easy — like providential — and sometimes nearly impossible. If you write, you'll understand me.
These last weeks I've fallen more into the impossibility side rather than the easiness one, so I'm writing this article literally to speak about how to embrace discipline to keep moving, even when the odds are against you.
It's not easy.
I don't want to talk about struggling with quitting or not wanting to do something. This is about wanting to do something and struggling with not being able to actually do it.
Let me share the story of somebody that, while recently controversial, has a story very relatable to what I'm feeling right now, and, if you're feeling similarly, it might relate to you and give you strength to push through.
J.K. Rowling: The Persistence Behind the Magic
J.K. Rowling's journey to becoming one of our time's most celebrated authors — despite recent controversies — is a testament to persistence against overwhelming odds. In 1990, during a delayed train ride from Manchester to London, the idea for Harry Potter sparked in her mind. Without even a pen to write it down, she held onto the concept of a young wizard that would later change literary history. But the path from that spark to reality was anything but straightforward.
Life threw challenge after challenge her way. Shortly after conceiving the story, she lost her mother to illness, an event that plunged her into grief. Her subsequent move to Portugal, marriage, and the birth of her daughter seemed like new beginnings, but when her marriage ended in divorce, she found herself back in the UK as a single mother, unemployed and relying on government assistance. Yet even then, she kept writing.
With barely enough to get by, Rowling wrote in local cafes while her daughter napped, channeling her imagination into the story that consumed her thoughts. Finishing the manuscript was just the beginning of her trials. Twelve publishers rejected Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, each doubting that a children's story about a young wizard could find an audience.
Still, Rowling persisted. She kept submitting her work until Bloomsbury, a small publishing house, decided to take a chance. Even after securing this victory, she faced discouragement: they advised her to "get a day job," warning that children's books rarely provided a sustainable income.
What happened next rewrote publishing history. The Harry Potter series sold over 500 million copies, was translated into more than 80 languages, and became a global phenomenon that redefined children's literature.
I've been sharing something important with my wife lately: writing has become more than just putting words on paper. It's turned into a release valve for those persistent thoughts and feelings that sometimes crowd my mind, making it hard to focus on daily life. What draws me to writing isn't just the chance to share my journey — it's how it helps me learn and grow while hopefully helping others along the way.
Sometimes this means diving into research to validate ideas, other times it means exploring philosophy for insights that might encourage both you and me to keep pushing forward. Writing, I've discovered, is both a powerful skill to master and a vital tool for growth.
But lately, I've hit a wall. Despite hours of brainstorming, I can't seem to find that topic that feels meaningful enough to share with our community. Maybe I'm overthinking it?
I know I haven't written my best piece yet — honestly, I'm nowhere close! But rather than letting each idea develop naturally, I've been dismissing them before they have a chance to grow.
So today, I decided to try something different: Just wing it. Let the thoughts flow naturally.
The approach is simple: Write what comes to mind. Research what needs backing. Keep moving forward.
Why this strategy?
Because I need to prove to myself that I can write even when everything feels stuck.
Because this inner critic needs challenging.
Because I genuinely love doing this.
Because it matters.
Because consistency, above all else, is what drives growth.
The Stoic Advice
I like to imagine that I can ask one of the big philosophers what do they think about my situation.
I like to imagine having conversations with great philosophers about my current struggles. What would they say about feeling blocked, about pushing through resistance?
Thanks to modern technology, we can get close to this kind of dialogue. Using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, I experimented with asking Marcus Aurelius for advice. While this is just for reflection — and I should note, don't take AI responses as gospel — it led me to a powerful quote that resonated deeply:
The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
This simple yet profound statement reminds us to embrace our struggles, to see them not as barriers but as opportunities for growth.
Why Do We Block?
Looking into the research, I discovered that creative blocks stem from various factors, each backed by scientific understanding:
Cognitive Rigidity
Our minds can become inflexible, struggling to adapt to new information or think differently. This often happens under stress, with age, or in certain conditions like OCD or autism1.
Habitual Thinking
Our brains prefer familiar patterns because they're energy-efficient2. Through neuroplasticity, frequently used neural pathways strengthen while others weaken, sometimes trapping us in mental ruts.
Overgeneralization and Rumination
When our brain uses past negative experiences to predict future outcomes, we get stuck in repetitive negative thinking3. I explore this more deeply in "The Clock Keeps Ticking." This response links to survival mechanisms — our brain focuses on potential threats to protect us.
Cognitive Load and Overwhelm
When too much information, too many tasks, or intense emotions flood our system, our brain can freeze up4. With limited working memory, we struggle to process and prioritize effectively.
Amygdala Hijack
Sometimes emotions, especially fear or anxiety, overpower rational thought5. The amygdala, our emotional processing center, can override the prefrontal cortex where reasoning happens.
Default Mode Network (DMN) Overactivity
The DMN works like our brain's background processor, active during rest and self-reflection. When it goes into overdrive, we might find ourselves lost in daydreams or worried thoughts. I discuss this more in "Is This Silent Habit Undermining Your Discipline?" Too much DMN activity, especially during unstructured time, can make focusing feel impossible6.
Fear of Failure or Perfectionism
The fear of making mistakes can paralyze us7. Perfectionism sets unrealistic standards, leading to procrastination and avoidance.
Biological Factors
Sometimes it's not just in our heads. Neurochemical imbalances, fatigue, or poor nutrition can fog our thinking and decision-making abilities. When dopamine gets dysregulated or energy levels drop, motivation and focus suffer8. As I explored in "When Pain Knocks On Your Door," emotional pain can significantly impact our mental clarity.
Other Strategies to Unblock Yourself
It's easy to feel alone in this struggle, but here's a surprising fact: 61% of writers have reported experiencing creative blocks9. Research shows that structured strategies and a growth mindset can help overcome these barriers10.
So if they can push through, why can't we? Here are research-backed approaches to unblock yourself:
Shift Your Perspective
Studies on cognitive flexibility11 show that changing your environment or approach can jumpstart creative thinking. Take a walk, switch up your workspace, or try speaking your ideas instead of writing them.
Practice Mindfulness
Research reveals that open-monitoring meditation boosts creative thinking12. Just 5-10 minutes of mindfulness or body scanning can clear mental clutter and sharpen focus.
Break Down the Task
James Clear's Atomic Habits (paid link) emphasizes how simplifying tasks reduces resistance. Start with a single sentence or bullet points rather than aiming for a complete draft.
Engage in a Flow Activity
Flow theory13 suggests that when skill and challenge balance perfectly, mental clarity follows. Try activities like drawing, gardening, or simple puzzles before returning to your main task.
Allow Yourself to Daydream
Research found that mind-wandering can enhance problem-solving14. Step away for low-stakes activities like dishwashing or doodling — just remember to follow guidelines like the Five Minute Rule to stay productive.
Change Your Inputs
Scott Barry Kaufman's research on creative incubation, detailed in Wired to Create (paid link), shows how new experiences spark creativity. Read outside your usual interests, explore different music genres, or watch documentaries on unfamiliar topics.
Practice Freewriting
This approach led to this very article. Studies support expressive writing as a way to clear mental blocks15. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write without censoring yourself — structure can come later.
Personally, writing in a stream-of-consciousness format helps me to channel my ideas better. I can reformat them later if I want to use a different style.
Talk It Out
Research shows verbalizing ideas engages different cognitive pathways16. Discuss with a trusted friend or try the software engineer's technique of "Rubberducking" — explaining your thoughts to an imaginary listener.
Rest and Recharge
Nature Reviews Neuroscience17 highlights how rest enhances memory and creativity. Don't underestimate the power of breaks, good sleep, or stepping away for a day to reset.
Moving Forward Together
All this research and reflection has inspired me to consider opening a chat for our community to discuss our struggles with getting things done. But before launching this initiative, I want your input.
If you think this kind of support would help, please vote in the following brief poll:
Takeaways
Let this serve as a reminder that we're not alone in pushing through obstacles. Today it's writing for me, but for you it might be different tasks — ones you want to do but face barriers completing.
And when you do complete them, remember: the arrow has been shot. Take pride in your accomplishment.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Affiliate Disclosure
At Self-Disciplined, we believe in transparency and honesty. Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, meaning that if you click on one of them and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the work put into this site and keep it running. Rest assured, I only recommend products or services that I genuinely believe in and that I think would bring value to my readers.
Thank you for your support!
Goldfarb, E. V., & Phelps, E. A. (2017). "Stress and cognitive flexibility: Behavioral and neural mechanisms." Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 21(6), 455-466
Schwabe, L., & Wolf, O. T. (2011). "Stress prompts habit behavior in humans." Journal of Neuroscience, 31(47), 17358-17365.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2000). "The role of rumination in depressive disorders and mixed anxiety/depressive symptoms." Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109(3), 504-511.
Sweller, J. (1988). "Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning." Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257-285.
LeDoux, J. E. (2000). "Emotion circuits in the brain." Annual Review of Neuroscience, 23(1), 155-184.
Andrews-Hanna, J. R., Smallwood, J., & Spreng, R. N. (2014). "The default network and self-generated thought: Component processes, dynamic control, and clinical relevance." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1316(1), 29-52.
Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2002). "Perfectionism and maladjustment: An overview of theoretical, definitional, and treatment issues." Perfectionism: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 5-31.
Volkow, N. D., et al. (2009). "Dopamine in motivation and reward." Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(7), 483-495.
The Authors Guild Survey, 2020
Dweck, C. S. (2006). "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success". Random House.
Diamond, A. (2013). "Executive Functions". Annual Review of Psychology, 64, 135-168.
Colzato, L. S., et al. (2012). "Meditation-Induced States Predict Attentional Control Over Time". Consciousness and Cognition, 21(2), 1014-1022.
"Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, published in 1990.
Baird, B., et al. (2012). "Inspired by Distraction: Mind Wandering Facilitates Creative Incubation". Psychological Science, 23(10), 1117-1122.
Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). "Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions". Guilford Press.
Sawyer, R. K. (2003). "Improvised Dialogues: Emergence and Creativity in Conversation". Praeger Publishers.
Walker, M. P. (2008). "Cognitive Consequences of Sleep and Sleep Loss". Sleep Medicine, 9, S29-S34.