Realizing you have nothing original left to say is a heavily depressing emotion- especially when your job depends on your ability to generate content. But don’t worry- a writing marathon could be just what you need to dig up some ideas you didn’t even know you had. Not just for writers, this strenuous exercise applies to… well, everyone who can type who needs to come up with ideas.

Here’s the gist: You set aside a time slot- could be hours, could be days- and you do nothing but write. You write about ideas you’ve had, you write about ideas other people have had, you write about anything your heart desires. Like Jonathan Fields says, nobody will see your pages unless you choose to share them, so don’t hold back. This is a great time to celebrate your lack of plan, too.

Sitting down for an entire month might be a little extreme, but the idea is something we long for in this industry- being able to put yourself in a place with absolutely zero distraction, where inhibitions must be checked at the door, and judgements aren’t allowed. Just you and your ideas. Implementing them is step #2, and no less demanding of your time and energy- but respect the order of numbers and dig yourself out of the hole first.