While not quite focused on the level of abstraction you mentioned, the single biggest tip I apply at work and in my writing hobby is to just write it down. Write down the alternatives. Even write down some of the ideas you're sure are bad, because if you have four or five options, maybe something about the 'bad version' will stand out and stimulate you. Or maybe the version you thought was bad might have some merit compared to the others you've come up with, such as a syntax or an interesting sentence length.
The vast majority of people, in my experience, have a much easier time editing and critiquing than they do actually writing the first sentence. If it's something with which you feel comfortable getting collaboration, have others look at the options you've created - they'll often be able to say, "no, that one sounds wrong" which will help you start the process of elimination.
This is a very good answer. I would also like to add, that by writing it down, it is there and can be reviewed later with a fresh point of viiew but if you keep it in your head it is unlikely to grow and/or change. You may even find that you return and like what you thought before you didn't.
These are things I found when I write my songs and lyrics. I'll allow myself to put down my current idea even though I think it's rubbish. That way I now have a vantage point to see where I could go from there. I can leave it and come back, then with a new perspective I can explore the next step a little. Often this leads to me looking back and either slightly modifying to help with the new part, finding I actually like the idea I thought was crap or finally deciding to scrap it and move on.
I still come back to my oldest work and sometimes change things here and there. I think the fundemental point here is to reach the understanding that the metophorical action of "putting pen to paper", does not mean it cannot change.
That's exactly it. I see in people a kind of perfectionist procrastination, where the idea of putting something less than perfect onto paper (or in a word document) somehow confirms their lack of skill or their fear that they'll never produce something "good". So they procrastinate until they think of something perfect on the first try - doing nothing in this case produces less anxiety than doing something imperfect.
Unfortunately, perfection almost never comes on the first try - I'm always trying to encourage people to work past that initial anxiety. A supportive environment helps a lot, in my experience.
I was that guy though. The one that wouldn't take the first step. The one that never tried because although I practically ached to write my own music, I thought all my ideas were stupid. It took me hitting rock bottom in self-esteem, thinking "fuck it I don't care if it's shit I need an outlet for what I'm feeling." for me to take the first step and actually write my first song. Imagine my surprise when people heard it and told me it was really good (well actually at first they didn't believe I wrote it). Although I thought it was just luck, I was addicted and so I kept writing and like any skill I got better as I went and learnt tricks to make it easier and eventually came to accept that I am kinda ok at it (still feels weird saying I'm good at it :P). I think the biggest lessong I have learned is that a lot of the time our biggest barrier is our belief or rather lack of belief in our own capabilities.
While not quite focused on the level of abstraction you mentioned, the single biggest tip I apply at work and in my writing hobby is to just write it down. Write down the alternatives. Even write down some of the ideas you're sure are bad, because if you have four or five options, maybe something about the 'bad version' will stand out and stimulate you. Or maybe the version you thought was bad might have some merit compared to the others you've come up with, such as a syntax or an interesting sentence length.
The vast majority of people, in my experience, have a much easier time editing and critiquing than they do actually writing the first sentence. If it's something with which you feel comfortable getting collaboration, have others look at the options you've created - they'll often be able to say, "no, that one sounds wrong" which will help you start the process of elimination.
This is a very good answer. I would also like to add, that by writing it down, it is there and can be reviewed later with a fresh point of viiew but if you keep it in your head it is unlikely to grow and/or change. You may even find that you return and like what you thought before you didn't.
These are things I found when I write my songs and lyrics. I'll allow myself to put down my current idea even though I think it's rubbish. That way I now have a vantage point to see where I could go from there. I can leave it and come back, then with a new perspective I can explore the next step a little. Often this leads to me looking back and either slightly modifying to help with the new part, finding I actually like the idea I thought was crap or finally deciding to scrap it and move on.
I still come back to my oldest work and sometimes change things here and there. I think the fundemental point here is to reach the understanding that the metophorical action of "putting pen to paper", does not mean it cannot change.
That's exactly it. I see in people a kind of perfectionist procrastination, where the idea of putting something less than perfect onto paper (or in a word document) somehow confirms their lack of skill or their fear that they'll never produce something "good". So they procrastinate until they think of something perfect on the first try - doing nothing in this case produces less anxiety than doing something imperfect.
Unfortunately, perfection almost never comes on the first try - I'm always trying to encourage people to work past that initial anxiety. A supportive environment helps a lot, in my experience.
I was that guy though. The one that wouldn't take the first step. The one that never tried because although I practically ached to write my own music, I thought all my ideas were stupid. It took me hitting rock bottom in self-esteem, thinking "fuck it I don't care if it's shit I need an outlet for what I'm feeling." for me to take the first step and actually write my first song. Imagine my surprise when people heard it and told me it was really good (well actually at first they didn't believe I wrote it). Although I thought it was just luck, I was addicted and so I kept writing and like any skill I got better as I went and learnt tricks to make it easier and eventually came to accept that I am kinda ok at it (still feels weird saying I'm good at it :P). I think the biggest lessong I have learned is that a lot of the time our biggest barrier is our belief or rather lack of belief in our own capabilities.
Thank you for the insight. I definitely have this problem when it comes to just putting things down on paper.