Motivation is the measurement of the energy put into any endeavor. And when you write a book you are bound to struggle with periods where you lack the motivation to write or experience writer’s block.

To combat this, you need an arsenal of tools and techniques that you can use to help you overcome motivational issues like getting started, finding your message, or getting rid of writer’s block.

Here are the 9 techniques to overcome writer’s block. Ready to learn how to stay motivated to write your book?

(Editor’s Note: These helpful techniques were created by the author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Brian Tracy, who is recognized as one of the top personal development authorities in the world today. He has authored more than 70 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on leadership, sales, management, business success and personal development. Brian’s goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined.)

1. Schedule a daily writing time.

A trick that artists use and that works well for writers too is to write often—even when you don’t want to type a single word, do it anyway.

Just write no matter what. It triggers something in your brain so that the pathway between your daily routine and your creative side is easier to find.

2. Set small writing goals.

Creating small writing goals you can achieve every day will help you overcome writer’s block.

You can set goals like making the commitment to write 100 words or one page a day. At the end of 365 days, you’ll have a 365-page book. If you want to complete your book faster, you can write a chapter a day.

Make the time that you sit down to write each day a habit. If you set a time to write in the morning, sit down and write at the same time each morning.

You can also pre-release your book on Amazon and date it to give you extra motivation to have it finished by a certain date. Write down your goals and review them every day and you will complete your book in no time.

3. Create a comfortable writing zone free of distractions.

Changing your environment may be all you need to jumpstart your motivation. Try writing in a different room, outside, or in a different color.

Most importantly, get rid of distractions when you write. Writing a book requires all of your attention. Create a space where there are few if any outside distractions. Silence your phone or turn it off. Post a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign on your door.

Filter outside noise with a white noise machine.Your goal is to eliminate all external distractions and get into a state of flow.

4. Don’t edit the words as you write.

A big mistake that happens with writers is that they try to edit as they’re writing. This doesn’t work well. Save editing for the very end. Switching back and forth between being creative and editing causes you to lose steam.

One of the greatest tools to cultivate motivation is progress. Keep writing and save the editing until you finish the book.

5. Put the writing away and focus on other things.

Even though you’re trying to stay motivated when writing a book, don’t be afraid to put your book aside for a few days when you’re feeling blocked, then when you are ready, resume writing. Just make sure that you specify the time that you’ll come back to writing. Give yourself a strict deadline, and adhere to it.

(Editor’s Note: You want to know how to motivate yourself to write, right? Download Brian Tracy’s quick start guide to becoming a published author. Get your book out there . . . starting today!)

6. Create analogies and examples to support your book.

If you’ve read Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, then you are probably familiar with another useful tool for overcoming lacking motivation: the creation of analogies that support your book.

In Think and Grow Rich, Hill uses the comparisons of rich and famous people to support or outline his points. When you are stuck, look to people you value and their lives to show examples of what you mean in your book. That process opens up a door that bridges the gap between critical thinking and artistic reflection.

7. Have a conversation with and about your book.

If you have trouble writing, try talking it out. Write as if you’re conversing with a friend. And as you write, consider that you are telling your story to one of your friends and as you do, write it down. When you tell your friends that you’re writing a book what do you say? Write it down. What message are you trying to convey?

Having a conversation with your book is an excellent technique for talking through the problems that you need to solve for others in a casual manner. Talking is often easier than writing which is why this technique helps break your writer’s block.

8. Challenge yourself with writing prompts.

Try creative writing prompts as a way to challenge yourself to write. Those might include:

• Describe your surroundings — Look out the window and describe the first thing you see in great detail. Keep a journal of these entries as though you are Darwin traipsing through the jungle.

• Word Challenge — Open the dictionary and choose the first word you see. Use that word in a haiku or short quote that your main character might say

There are many writing prompts that writers use to jumpstart their brains and their motivation. Find a few that work well for you.

And last but not least . . .

9. Take action!

Being motivated 100% of the time just isn’t possible for most authors. So don’t get discouraged if you’re having a hard time getting started. Use these techniques to help you on your journey to writing your book and becoming a published author.

Everyone has a book inside of them. It’s your job to find out what your message is, take action and just start.

What’s next?

Want to kickstart your book writing?

Download Brian Tracy’s free 20-Step Author Quick Start Guide.

It contains a secret that will dramatically improve your writing speed and tips to help you easily organize your book. If you’re stuck on writing or don’t know where to start, this guide will jumpstart your book writing journey immediately.