Ever feel like your brain's a tangled mess of thoughts?

Like you've got a million ideas but can't articulate them properly?

Or find yourself spinning your wheels on a problem without making real progress?

I’ve been there.

And this week, I'm sharing how dedicating just 30-60 minutes each morning to freewriting has helped me gain clarity on just about anything I'm mentally stuck on—personally and professionally.

Let’s dive in.

What is Freewriting?

Freewriting is simple: sit down and write (or type) for a set period without stopping. No editing, no rewording, no clarifying. Just get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or screen), unfiltered and uncensored.

I discovered this practice through Stephen Lloyd Webber’s book, Deep Freewriting.

While it’s a technique used by many writers and creatives, it’s had a monumental impact on how I approach problem-solving in every aspect of my life.

Freewriting in Action: A Real-World Example

Let me share how I recently used freewriting to tackle a complex coaching situation.

Last week, I was onboarding a new coaching client.

She has had an exceptional career in corporate and agencies and is now building her own business online.

During our Gameplan Session (our first call to set priorities for the next 2-3 months), something stood out: She wasn't excited about the business she was currently building.

I could see it in her body language, hear it in her tone, feel it in her energy.

So I paused our usual process and asked, "Why are you building this business?"

She said she wasn’t sure. Another coaching program recommended she build this to help her hit her short-term cashflow goals, even though it conflicted with her long-term ‘dream business’ goals.

In scenarios like this, I tread carefully.

My recommendations can significantly impact not just my client's business, but their life and family. Especially when we’re talking about balancing short-term cashflow needs and long-term satisfaction with the business.

I wanted time to process, so I proposed we break to think through a few specific questions and regroup the next day.

The following morning at 5 am, I sat down for a 45-minute freewriting session about this dilemma.

Initially, my thoughts were all over the place. They were scattered and, at first, not coherent at all.

But around the 15-minute mark, some patterns emerged.

By 35 minutes in, I’d drafted a framework of questions we could use to create a hybrid strategy addressing both short-term needs and long-term goals.

When the timer hit 45 minutes, I felt prepared and confident for our call.

Armed with the framework I ended up with, our call the following day went exceptionally well and we’ve got a plan that aligns what’s urgent today with what’s really important tomorrow.

Solving Problems Through Freewriting

Freewriting helped me cut through complexity and conflicting thoughts by getting my initial thoughts out of my head.

This process forced me to dig deeper and get to the core of the issue.

And that’s where the answers to the tough questions usually hide.

I was skeptical at first. I always looked at writing as a way to express how I felt or what I thought about something.

I’d never realized how powerful of a tool it could be to figure out what you were thinking in the first place.

Now, I use freewriting to unpack and clarify my thoughts on everything from new hire test project details to understanding why I feel down on a day with a lot of wins.

Hell, I’ve used freewriting to help me determine what I wanted to write about.

It’s become my mental yoga. With the side benefit of generating mountains of content ideas for my business.

Tips for Starting Your Own Freewriting Practice

Intrigued? Want to give this a shot? Here’s what’s worked for me.

1. Find a Distraction-Free Environment: My best breakthroughs come after 10+ minutes of uninterrupted writing. I opt for early mornings before my family wakes up.
   

2. Start a Writing Timer: Start with 15-minute blocks to build the habit. I now aim for 30-60 minutes and don't stop until the timer goes off—sometimes not even then.
   

3. Use Prompts: Freewriting basically eliminates writer's block, but a prompt can kickstart your session. Try "What would make today incredible?”

4. Be Consistent: Make it part of your daily routine. The more you do it, the more natural and beneficial it becomes.

This newsletter itself sprouted from a freewriting session.

Let me know if it resonated with you in the feedback section. And if not, let me know what else you’d love to hear about.