Let me ask you this…
Have you ever opened up a blank doc, full of good intentions, and just… froze?
You’ve got the idea. You know what you want to say. But the words won’t come. And now that blinking cursor feels like it’s mocking you?
If so, I get it. I’ve been there more times than I can count.
For a long time, I thought I was the problem. Maybe I wasn’t “disciplined” enough. Maybe I just didn’t have the writing gene. Maybe I just sucked at writing.
But one day I realized it wasn’t about talent or motivation.
It was about having a system.
A simple, easy to use system I could follow so I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel every time I sat down to create something.
That’s what I want to share with you today.
It’s not fancy.
It’s not a productivity hack.
It’s just what works for me, and for a lot of folks I’ve helped. Maybe it’ll work for you too.
Step 1: Don’t Start with a Blank Page. Start with a Spark.
Let me ask you something:
Where do your best ideas usually come from?
For me, they don’t show up when I need them. They sneak in when I’m walking, driving, half asleep, or mid-conversation. I’ve even woken up in the middle of the night with a great idea.
That’s why the very first part of my system has nothing to do with writing. It’s about catching ideas before they vanish.
I call it my “spark list.” Nothing fancy. Just a running log of moments, thoughts, or phrases that make me pause and think, “Huh, I could write something about that.”
I keep it super low-effort:
- Notes app on my phone
- A pinned doc in Google Drive
- ChatGPT threads where I dump voice-to-text rambles
There’s no pressure to make it perfect. It’s just about making sure I have something to pull from when I sit down later.
If you’ve ever stared at a blank page and felt stuck, having a list like this is a game-changer.
Because instead of starting from zero, you’re starting from something.
Step 2: Give Your Idea a Little Direction
When I’m ready to write, I open up my spark list and pick something that still feels alive.
Then I ask a simple question.
What am I actually trying to say?
Not in a deep or strategic way. Just, what’s the angle? What do I want to get out of this?
Then I’ll jot down a quick title. Not the final headline. Just something to give me direction.
It’s like picking a trail to hike. I might veer off at some point, but now I’m moving.
If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to begin, try this.
Don’t aim for brilliance. Just aim.
Step 3: Sketch a Quick Outline Without Overthinking It
This part used to hold me back more than anything.
I’d sit there trying to plan the whole piece in my head. But that’s not writing. That’s stalling.
Now I keep it simple.
- A quick intro
- Three to five key points I want to hit
- A wrap-up that makes it feel complete
Nothing more than bullet points. Sometimes just a few phrases or reminders.
When I’m outlining, I’m not trying to be clever. I’m trying to create a path forward.
If outlining feels heavy to you, treat it like you’re texting a friend a rough plan. It doesn’t need to be clean. It just needs to exist. Keep it simple.
Step 4: Let ChatGPT Help Build the First Draft
Here’s where the system really kicks in.
Once I’ve got a rough outline, I bring it into ChatGPT.
Not to replace my voice, but to help me get unstuck.
I might say something like:
“Here’s a rough outline for a blog post I’m working on. Can you help expand this into a loose draft? Keep it clear and conversational. Don’t overdo it with fluff.”
Then I paste the outline.
The result isn’t finished writing. It’s clay. Something I can shape, trim, and turn into my own voice.
And that’s the whole point. I’m not spending hours staring at a blank page anymore. I’m editing. Guiding. Making it better.
You don’t have to use ChatGPT for this, but man does it help. Trust me, it can help more than you might expect.
Step 5: Rewrite Like You’re Talking to a Friend
With a rough draft on the page, it’s time to make it sound like me.
Seriously, this is my favorite part.
I take the raw material and rewrite it like I’m explaining the idea to one person I care about.
Maybe it’s a client. Maybe it’s a reader who emailed me last week. Maybe it’s someone just like you.
If something sounds stiff or boring, I fix it.
If something feels robotic, I cut it. (so important)
If I wouldn’t actually say it in a real conversation, I don’t keep it.
I’ll often read the draft out loud and listen for bumps and stutters. Any line that doesn’t flow naturally gets a rewrite.
This is where your voice comes through. And it’s what makes your content feel real.
Step 6: Don’t Skip the Ending
Let’s be honest. It’s easy to run out of steam at the end.
For a long time I used to write strong openings for my posts, good, solid middles, and then…
“Anyway, hope that helps.”
Now I try to finish the way I’d finish a conversation with a friend.
Here’s what I do:
- Recap the main takeaway
- Suggest a small, doable next step
- Link to something helpful if it fits
- End with a little encouragement or invitation
Nothing over the top. Just a clear close that feels intentional.
That alone makes a post feel finished instead of abandoned.
Recap: What This Looks Like in Practice
Here’s the system I use anytime I feel stuck or slow.
- Capture sparks when they hit
- Pick a direction with a quick title
- Sketch a messy outline
- Let ChatGPT give you a rough draft
- Rewrite it in your voice
- Finish like you mean it
It’s not about perfection. It’s about momentum.
And once you feel it?
Writing gets easier.
Faster.
Way less stressful.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a great writer to create content that connects.
You just need a way to start. A simple system you can keep returning to when you’re stuck. A process that makes the blank page feel less intimidating.
This is the system that works for me.
Maybe it’ll work for you too.
Try it. Adjust it. Make it yours.
Want More Like This?
If this post helped you breathe a little easier, I think you’ll like what I send out in the AI Prompt Newsletter.
Each week, I share real prompts, smart workflows, and ideas to help you save time, create faster, and sound more like you.
You can grab the free guide, 15 Prompts to Supercharge Your Business, right here → [link]
Talk soon.
