Overcoming Writer's Block, Time-Efficient Writing, Building Your Online Presence & More

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Happy Monday Doctors and Writers,

Here are 5 ideas to help you kick-start your online writing journey this week.

Today at a glance

Question: What’s your unique medical perspective?

Quote: On overcoming imposter syndrome.

Framework: The 15-minute writing sprint.

Idea: Write first, edit later.

Video: How a doctor built a 10 million-follower audience.

Question: What’s your unique medical perspective?

Every doctor has experiences that set them apart.

This week, take some time to reflect on your journey:

• What case challenged your perspective recently?

• Which patient interaction taught you something unexpected?

• What’s a common misconception in your field you’d like to address?

Your viewpoints and experiences hold immense value that cannot be underestimated.

So jot down these moments; they’re goldmines for writing only you can create.

Quote on impostor syndrome

The lesson: Impostor syndrome affects everyone, even the most accomplished professionals. The cure is action. Start writing, keep writing, and your confidence will grow with each word.

Framework: The 15-Minute Writing Sprint

Most doctors we’ve spoken to have mentioned that their biggest struggle with writing is finding the time for it in their schedule.

Sounds familiar?

Try this framework to write consistently without overwhelming your day:

1. Choose one topic or experience to focus on.

2. Set a timer for 15 minutes.

3. Write without editing or hitting backspace.

4. When the timer ends, stop, and save your work.

5. Repeat daily.

By the end of the week, you will have completed seven unique pieces of writing. Spend another 15 minutes editing your favorite piece to publish or pick one that stands out to continue building on.

Trust us, these short sprints can lead to a substantial body of work.

As always, consistency beats perfection.

Idea: Write first, edit later

Every doctor is trained to diagnose before treating.

But when it comes to writing, most of us do both simultaneously.

Not only does this lean into our perfectionist tendencies, but it also makes the writing process much more difficult than it needs to be.

Here’s a two-step approach to fix that:

1. Just write.

Let your thoughts flow. Think of it as writing a letter to a friend. Don’t worry about grammar, structure, or style. You have just one goal; get ideas onto screen or paper.

2. Put on your editor’s hat.

This is where you refine your work. Check for repetitive sentences and complicated jargon, and change or remove them as needed. But keep in mind that you will only start this step once you’ve completed your first draft.

Why does this work?

Because writing is the creative spark, and editing is how you control the fire. One element focuses on volume and freedom, while the other prioritizes efficiency and precision.

Give this system a shot.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly it dissolves writer’s block and how much better your writing becomes.

Video: How Dr. Mike Built a 10 Million-Follower Audience

Dr. Mike Varshavski is one of the most famous doctors across social media.

In this video, he shares his journey from being an unknown medical student to becoming a social media authority with over 10 million followers.

Alright, that’s all for this week.

Thank you for reading today’s newsletter.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions, just hit reply to this email, we’d love to hear from you.

— Adi and Pranav