47 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
47 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

The Cigarette Break...

by Toniy
41 replies
I have a damaging admission to make...

I'm still somewhat smoke. A cheeky cigarette now and again happens to me, I can't deny it.

But as I was putting together my most recent sales letter yesterday, my mind started to slow down and the words weren't flowing quite as smoothly as they usually do...

I went outside for... that's right, a cheeky cigarette.

And I wasn't proud of it... I already felt like a pariah... But it's true.

So in the space of 5 minutes, standing in the garden looking at the fading sun... not directly.... I ran through the copy in my head and had a wave of inspiration that flipped a potential negative into a rather attractive positive, which potentially saved the copy.

... Wouldn't have been able to do that sitting staring at the laptop like a lobotomised Ian Holm...



But this got me to wondering about healthier alternatives to the cigarette break... you know, inspiration without the health risk.

What do you do when your mind needs 'a reset'?
#break #cigarette
  • Profile picture of the author Bruce Wedding
    Caffeine is proven to improve mental function.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777153].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jjust80
      Some form of exercise or playing my guitar.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4777180].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Bruce Wedding - Excellent... I just bought a jar of Douwe Egberts... £33 per kg

    I should get an espresso machine... might be a bit too involved though, considering the 'meditative' aspect...

    jjust80 - Hmmm... I'm lacking talent, but I guess walking around would work nicely
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778326].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author NickN
      Have you thought about e-cigarettes? Could "trick" your mind into a stimulated state. Kind of like Pavlov's dog experiment -- the association of "smoking = stimulation" might work well.

      Maybe.
      Signature

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778496].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        A "cigarette now and again" won't hurt you. If you found such strong inspiration from that 5-minute smoke break, why give it up?

        It's ridiculous how society makes smokers feel like pond scum. (No, I don't smoke.)

        I recently told a friend I had bacon and eggs for breakfast. His reaction was one of horror. You'd think I had just totally clogged my arteries with bacon fat.

        Ridiculous.

        Alex
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778635].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RobBritt
    The e-cigs are probably a decent alternative. The newer ones actually give you the illusion of smoking, deliver whatever level of nicotine you desire. my in-laws are visiting us this month from out of state and the "smoke" they exhale is just steam. weirdness, but better than tobacco and maybe you get the introspective benefit..
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4778642].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
      Banned
      What do I do when my mind needs a rest?

      Well, like you I'm a smoker, hand rolling baccy in my case. Got Arfa Saira on my back at the moment because I'm supposed to be giving up. Got the patches and the gum right here beside me. Lasted 3 days. Going to attempt it again as soon as this pack runs out.

      What else do I do?

      Well, this afternoon I fancied some fresh air so headed over to the Helford River, Port Navas Creek. Borrowed a friends rowing boat, got my oars and rowlocks out of the motorhome and set off downstream on a very high tide to do a spot of exploring and a bit of photography - a passion of mine.

      It was just simply beautiful, hardly a ripple on the water, watching the sun dip over the ancient oak trees on the bank. The oars clanking in the rowlocks, fish jumping out of the water - it was just exquisitely serene.



      When I got back to shore, moored up the boat, parked my van alongside the river bank, popped on some opera music, smoked a roly and ate a banana... doesn't get much better.

      Very nice indeed.

      You should come down sometime, you're only just across the water from me. We'll take out either the fishing boat on the outboard or my sailing yacht, do a spot of fishing together... you'll love it. And you're always welcome. You should know that.

      Tally ho!


      Mark
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4779238].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Toniy
        Originally Posted by Mark Andrews View Post

        What do I do when my mind needs a rest?

        Well, like you I'm a smoker, hand rolling baccy in my case. Got Arfa Saira on my back at the moment because I'm supposed to be giving up. Got the patches and the gum right here beside me. Lasted 3 days. Going to attempt it again as soon as this pack runs out.

        What else do I do?

        Well, this afternoon I fancied some fresh air so headed over to the Helford River, Port Navas Creek. Borrowed a friends rowing boat, got my oars and rowlocks out of the motorhome and set off downstream on a very high tide to do a spot of exploring and a bit of photography - a passion of mine.

        It was just simply beautiful, hardly a ripple on the water, watching the sun dip over the ancient oak trees on the bank. The oars clanking in the rowlocks, fish jumping out of the water - it was just exquisitely serene.



        When I got back to shore, moored up the boat, parked my van alongside the river bank, popped on some opera music, smoked a roly and ate a banana... doesn't get much better.

        Very nice indeed.

        You should come down sometime, you're only just across the water from me. We'll take out either the fishing boat on the outboard or my sailing yacht, do a spot of fishing together... you'll love it. And you're always welcome. You should know that.

        Tally ho!


        Mark
        You know you sometimes get those 'too good to be true' flashes? I think I just had one...

        SO many elements of that post I enjoyed though... primarily 'smoked a rolly and ate a banana'... the imagery of course, and the mention of fish jumping out of the water...

        The last bit because it reminded me of when I was surfing last year and a fish jumped out of the surf and hit me on the head. Freaked me out but otherwise, surfing is an incredibly calming experience... as long as things go your way :p

        Gotta love talking to copywriters

        Thanks Mark, got a PM coming your way...
        Signature
        Madness...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4784014].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
          Banned
          Never mind a fish slapping you across the face on your surfboard, I'll shove a ruddy mackerel up your wotsit Toni, if you don't start using the Multiquote button soon.

          PM replied to ya daft bint.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4786153].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      Originally Posted by NickN View Post

      Have you thought about e-cigarettes? Could "trick" your mind into a stimulated state. Kind of like Pavlov's dog experiment -- the association of "smoking = stimulation" might work well.

      Maybe.
      Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

      A "cigarette now and again" won't hurt you. If you found such strong inspiration from that 5-minute smoke break, why give it up?

      It's ridiculous how society makes smokers feel like pond scum. (No, I don't smoke.)

      I recently told a friend I had bacon and eggs for breakfast. His reaction was one of horror. You'd think I had just totally clogged my arteries with bacon fat.

      Ridiculous.

      Alex
      Originally Posted by RobBritt View Post

      The e-cigs are probably a decent alternative. The newer ones actually give you the illusion of smoking, deliver whatever level of nicotine you desire. my in-laws are visiting us this month from out of state and the "smoke" they exhale is just steam. weirdness, but better than tobacco and maybe you get the introspective benefit..
      Nick - Interesting point... although I think bio-chemically it works exactly the same... the nicotine is the stimulant right? And it's still infused with nicotine... maybe I could try it WITHOUT the nicotine... but then I'd just feel like an arsehole

      Having said that, I'm constantly running experiments on myself so could be worth a shot

      Alex - I should be a little more honest I think... it's more like 7-8 a day... around 20 in an evening if I'm having a 'wine evening' with a friend, but that's like once a week and he seems to be quitting. Having said that, I've often had bouts of inspiration in those quiet moments, not just with copy. Kinda like Johnny Depp and Opium (think Ian Holm... I'm being really careful not to ruin any films for anyone :p)

      I suppose your friend opted for margerine on white toast, or corn flakes with soy milk or something? Yep... Well done chap... Enjoy your diabetes and gynecomastia Folks love judging food and diet...

      It's more of a self-imposed pariah complex though I think... I'm very health-conscious and I don't enjoy feeling like a hypocrite :rolleyes:

      Thanks for the boost though mate... when I DO quit I only have to wait 7 years until I'm all cleaned out anyway, I got plenty to spare

      Rob - I've seen those ones... I actually came across them quite a while ago before they became popular (Johnny Depp is to blame once again I think... Tourist was a ****ty film though).

      My buddy actually found one in his restaurant, left by a customer... and as scummy as he felt, he was so fascinated that he picked it up and kept it, washed it and brought it home to show me (housemate).

      So we tried it out and honestly it IS virtually the same, just without the tar and filth and that, it IS steam.

      But I don't know... it just doesn't feel as... 'classy' (?) or soulful as tobacco.

      PLUS if I didn't HAVE to go outside to smoke I probably wouldn't, and that's half of it
      Signature
      Madness...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4783800].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
    I understand cocaine gives you a real buzz.

    So I hear.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4779355].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Doesn't have to be something you ingest.

      Can do something totally boring, like taking the rubbish out, ironing your shirt,
      feeding the cat, ph the accountant.

      Stuff that we put off but needs to get done.

      Mark, your actions will follow the label you give yourself,
      i.e. "I'm a smoker".

      Change your label to "I'm a non smoker" then your actions
      become congruent to your label.

      Best,
      Ewen
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4780641].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
        Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post


        Mark, your actions will follow the label you give yourself,
        i.e. "I'm a smoker".

        Change your label to "I'm a non smoker" then your actions
        become congruent to your label.
        If only it were that easy.

        For some, the addiction's grip is as bad as heroin.

        Alex
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4780674].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
          Alex, my dad gave it up, cold turkey, after 50 years of smoking.

          That is the power of internal talk.

          Best,
          Ewen

          Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

          If only it were that easy.

          For some, the addiction's grip is as bad as heroin.

          Alex
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4781250].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
            Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

            Alex, my dad gave it up, cold turkey, after 50 years of smoking.

            That is the power of internal talk.

            Best,
            Ewen
            Ewen,

            The addiction has a stronger hold on some people than others. And it has both physiological and physical elements.

            To point to one person and base a belief system on his success is an over simplification of the highest order.

            Alex
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4782290].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author Toniy
              Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

              Doesn't have to be something you ingest.

              Can do something totally boring, like taking the rubbish out, ironing your shirt,
              feeding the cat, ph the accountant.

              Stuff that we put off but needs to get done.

              Mark, your actions will follow the label you give yourself,
              i.e. "I'm a smoker".

              Change your label to "I'm a non smoker" then your actions
              become congruent to your label.

              Best,
              Ewen
              Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

              If only it were that easy.

              For some, the addiction's grip is as bad as heroin.

              Alex
              Originally Posted by ewenmack View Post

              Alex, my dad gave it up, cold turkey, after 50 years of smoking.

              That is the power of internal talk.

              Best,
              Ewen
              Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

              Ewen,

              The addiction has a stronger hold on some people than others. And it has both physiological and physical elements.

              To point to one person and base a belief system on his success is an over simplification of the highest order.

              Alex
              I see where you're coming from... menial tasks that don't require any real effort... same concept I suppose It's the essence of meditation, right?

              Focus the conscious on something that requires no thought to allow the sub-conscious to let loose

              I don't think anyone's debating there's a definitive 'easy/hard' to the process of giving up smoking... for some it's as easy as stopping, for others it takes a much more involved approach.

              My friend smoked more than me before I started getting into this, now he's cut right down because his girlfriend is around all the time :p But he uses lozenges.

              I can go days at a time without smoking, but lately I'm just really enjoying it... and the negatives haven't really come to light yet, and as copywriters we all know if there's no pressing pain, no action will be taken :rolleyes:

              I started smoking WITH the guy I'm living with now (mentioned above, the one with the girlfriend and the e-cig thief) about 8 years ago all through college. He moved to Wales while I was still in the South of England and after Uni I moved in with him again.

              Neither of us had smoked for several years but on the moving day we found an old pack of cigs and... well the 'brotherly smoke' as we called it on our nights out came back into play.

              Sometimes it's habit, sometimes it's deeper psychology and emotion... I can't speak for the physical side but I guess that's in there somewhere too I reckon I just don't smoke 'enough' to feel it...
              Signature
              Madness...
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4783883].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
          Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

          If only it were that easy.
          For some, the addiction's grip is as bad as heroin.
          Alex
          Well it is as easy as that / given it's a hard call to make, but once you decide to quit in your mind you can. Addiction is not the enemy (as many clever marketers copy writes peddle) but the habit is.

          Once you decide to stop you can do that, but your habit or body function of reaching for a packet of smokes or wanting your hands to do something carries on even though your mind says no to a smoke.

          To counter this do 3 things, drink clear purified water to cleanse your system, eat some chew-able vitamin C to take away the cravings and lastly have a pack of lolly snakes handy, these replace for your fingers to twiddle and go to your mouth. Stretch the snake and chew a little bit of each time (this lasts as long as a smoke usually does)

          Now for all of the patches / e cigs / gums and all of the high end ads telling us we will have cravings and we will not get through the jitters without this latest product ? It's all bumpkin sold to us by very good copywriters and now many just believe we will get cravings and need their lasted stop smoking product.
          Signature
          | > Choosing to go off the grid for a while to focus on family, work and life in general. Have a great 2020 < |
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4788105].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author MTVida
        A good employer knows that granting cigarette and coffee breaks will actually increase productivity. Anything that gets the blood flowing will help charge up ideas (you know that smoking increases heart-rate, right?) Anything that frees up the mind helps.

        I'm a songwriter more than a content writer, but I find walking to be a great source of inspiration. It also has the extra benefit of bieng good for the body, especially when your spending good chunks of time sitting in front of the computer. You know your body needs to move when you feel your joints getting stiff, that should be your signal.
        Signature
        Become a Top-Dog Tracker! --- Get My Free Prosper202 Setup Guide And Video!


        *HEY!* Have Questions On Tracking Campaigns? Visit My Site and Let's Get Tracking!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4780753].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
          Listen to music, or just step outside, and take in the air, if it's nice out.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4780859].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Studio13
    I smoke too, somewhat. And I know about the inspiration you get while taking a 'break'.

    I found that my most inspiration times though, especially while I'm in the middle of writing comes when I take a drive and talk out loud.

    By the time night arrives, to keep the creative juices flowing, red wine does the trick for me. Fact is, some of my best material has come at night from the... Reserverol in the wine, yah that's it, the Reserverol.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4780677].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author EricMN
    The other day a headline wasn't coming to me. . . For some reason it just wasn't happening. No matter how hard I tried I just came up with garbage.

    So I paced around the house for a bit before going outside to take in the night air. There wasn't any fog out, otherwise I'd normally see deer in the field. My girlfriend calls them Fog Cows, LOL

    I came in and didn't want to sit at my desk to dream up more garbage so I took a notepad and layed down in every room in the house save for the bathroom.

    Found what I was looking for in a mix between kitchen and livingroom contemplation.

    Maybe sometimes we need to put ourselves in a weird place before we can focus properly. It was weird. Usually I say you can't force inspiration, but maybe you can trick it into submission by throwing your senses a curveball of new perspective.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4781310].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      Originally Posted by EricMN View Post

      The other day a headline wasn't coming to me. . . For some reason it just wasn't happening. No matter how hard I tried I just came up with garbage.

      So I paced around the house for a bit before going outside to take in the night air. There wasn't any fog out, otherwise I'd normally see deer in the field. My girlfriend calls them Fog Cows, LOL

      I came in and didn't want to sit at my desk to dream up more garbage so I took a notepad and layed down in every room in the house save for the bathroom.

      Found what I was looking for in a mix between kitchen and livingroom contemplation.

      Maybe sometimes we need to put ourselves in a weird place before we can focus properly. It was weird. Usually I say you can't force inspiration, but maybe you can trick it into submission by throwing your senses a curveball of new perspective.
      I think you may have a point there... while you may not be able to force inspiration (and the more you do it seems, the more resistant it is to connecting with you...)... but you CAN create an environment that welcomes inspiration more readily...

      It's like getting other people's perspective... sometimes they can make you see things you wouldn't have seen by yourself... the drawback is, sometimes these people are idiots.

      However if you move yourself around a bit, like you mentioned... distract your mind enough to forget about the original task for a moment, by the time you get back 'into it' you have to start from scratch and you could end up with a brand new perspective, without outside assistance, just with a fresh thought pattern / process.

      Also, 'Fog Cows'...? That is kinda cute :p
      Signature
      Madness...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4783979].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CopywritingTony
    I'll usually play the Wii for about 15 minutes, don't know why, but it works.
    Maybe because it keeps me active. I usually play tennis.

    Best Regards,
    Copywriting Tony
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4781325].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel Scott
    I'm not surprised. Nicotine has been shown to improve mental function... particularly in the area of short-term memory.

    So does caffeine and exercise, though.

    And showering or... erm... "dropping the kids off at the pool" stimulates "deep thought" brainwaves, which is apparently why you get so many good ideas on the loo.

    -Daniel
    Signature

    Always looking for badass direct-response copywriters. PM me if we don't know each other and you're looking for work.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4781964].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Toniy
      Originally Posted by Rezbi View Post

      I understand cocaine gives you a real buzz.

      So I hear.
      I've heard the same... healthier than smoking I think overall, but the cost... I don't know. Maybe when I'm on 6-Figures.

      Originally Posted by Studio13 View Post

      I smoke too, somewhat. And I know about the inspiration you get while taking a 'break'.

      I found that my most inspiration times though, especially while I'm in the middle of writing comes when I take a drive and talk out loud.

      By the time night arrives, to keep the creative juices flowing, red wine does the trick for me. Fact is, some of my best material has come at night from the... Reserverol in the wine, yah that's it, the Reserverol.
      Man I love red wine... Rioja as of late, and Cabernet Sauvignon before that... but red wine AND cigarettes... I've already told you what'll happen :p

      I do find that I'm much more thoughtful at night as well... I'm more at peace, I feel more in tune with existence, like I can transport myself into anybody's mind because everything is all so connected... that is until the dog starts pissing against the wall.

      Still, the peace is something I value tremendously and I've no doubt of its usefulness.

      Also... Resveratrol Now if you wrote it that way on purpose pretending to sound like a drunk... hats off to you sir

      Originally Posted by MTVida View Post

      A good employer knows that granting cigarette and coffee breaks will actually increase productivity. Anything that gets the blood flowing will help charge up ideas (you know that smoking increases heart-rate, right?) Anything that frees up the mind helps.

      I'm a songwriter more than a content writer, but I find walking to be a great source of inspiration. It also has the extra benefit of bieng good for the body, especially when your spending good chunks of time sitting in front of the computer. You know your body needs to move when you feel your joints getting stiff, that should be your signal.
      That's a very good point actually... the only other thing I considered was a walk. Of course I would prefer to walk and smoke, if at night.

      And considering I live in central Swansea... there's really not many 'inspirational' places to go for walks... unless you're writing copy for some kind of birth control.

      If I had a nice lake to walk around, that would be splendid

      Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

      Listen to music, or just step outside, and take in the air, if it's nice out.
      Stepping outside is the way forward... I don't like being cooped up

      Originally Posted by CopywritingTony View Post

      I'll usually play the Wii for about 15 minutes, don't know why, but it works.
      Maybe because it keeps me active. I usually play tennis.

      Best Regards,
      Copywriting Tony
      That was an interesting one

      Sometimes it could well just be a case of needing a break rather than needing a 'meditative' time... but I'm sure they both have their merits

      Originally Posted by Daniel Scott View Post

      I'm not surprised. Nicotine has been shown to improve mental function... particularly in the area of short-term memory.

      So does caffeine and exercise, though.

      And showering or... erm... "dropping the kids off at the pool" stimulates "deep thought" brainwaves, which is apparently why you get so many good ideas on the loo.

      -Daniel
      Poo makes you smart?

      There may be something to that... I am pretty smart and generally considered to be full of ****.

      Coffee seems to be a popular one, going for a walk... and there are still proponents of smoking... smoke, drink coffee, walk... nice
      Signature
      Madness...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4783953].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Mate I used Multiquote at least 20 times up there... YOU need to stop scrolling all the way to the bottom...

    Post-scripts were MADE for people like you :p



    I was going for collective relevant replies... thought it'd be nice for folks to break things up a bit

    Point taken... didn't realise I'd stimulate so much conversation
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4786504].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steve The Copywriter
      Please, please don't start.

      But I thought all writers had to smoke.

      Which is why I go through 2 packs a day.


      Steve
      Signature
      http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...right-now.html
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4786700].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
      Banned
      I've got 50 eBooks I want written by the end of next week, are you up for the challenge Toni?

      You are speed typing personified after all is said and done.

      PM me.

      Oh go away you stupid daddy long legs. For petes sake, these things drive me up the bloody wall at this time of the year. I must look demented if anyone was to look in the window, typing at 90mph and waving my arms in the air and slapping the top of my head every couple of minutes, grrrrr...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4786704].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Mark Andrews
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Daniel Scott View Post

        ...which is apparently why you get so many good ideas on the loo.

        -Daniel
        Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

        Pooing makes you smart?

        There may be something to that... I am pretty smart and generally considered to be full of bulls**t.
        I'm not sure, don't quote me on this afterall he is Australian and from Queensland, and you know what they say about that lot but what I think he was saying was a euphemism for, "My copywriting research is the 5hits!"
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4786979].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Xiqual
    I really think the inspiration wave was not due to the nicotine fix, but just for getting some moving, being out of your workspace... changing the set and then recapitulating... A very effective way to get unstruck, sort of "deep breathing" at mental level...
    Signature
    Believe + Create + Trust + Will
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4787513].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ChartTraderZ
    I think lack of nicotine got you to lack of creativity in the first place .. as your mind becomes dependent.

    I become creative usually when I am doing absolutely nothing .. just waiting for the metro or something like that. Several of my best ideas came to me when I was just staring at nothing .. Maybe that's your solution
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4787645].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Pecan
    I used to smoke. My cigarette breaks still occur, only without the cigarette. You can always watch the sunset on your garden without the smoke. That's probably where your inspiration came from anyways.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4788029].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gohan2091
    I am against smoking, I will never take it up! Waste of money!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4788079].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Steve - Well, obviously it's too late for me (missed me by about 7-8 years :p) but yeah... I'm starting to realise the writer's cliche really is true! Smokes, Coffee... I just need some thick-rimmed glasses and you guys will finally take me seriously!

    Mark - Mate... give me a chance, I don't even know where to START replying to you sometimes!

    You know what... 50 ebooks, one week, I reckon I could do it. HOWEVER... I kinda get the feeling I wouldn't be justly rewarded. Am I wrong? :p I am a bit of a dude when it comes to typing and talking though... Just wait til we get on SKYPE... you'll think I've OD'd on Ritalin... woooh!! (Remember kids, I'm an adult so it has the OPPOSITE effect!)

    With regard to the other element of your message... man I just don't know what to do... maniacal head slapping, '90 mph' (where's the face for raised eyebrows? :p)... insect rage... poo jokes... it's got it all and I just can't compete. I'm out of my league.

    However this:

    PM me.

    Oh go away you stupid daddy long legs.
    Apart from your obviously apparent fickle nature, I thought we had agreed for you to never call me that OUTSIDE of PM... you got it all twisted around man.

    Woooh... I think a gay joke puts me back in the League......

    Xiqual - Ok, coming back down to Earth for a second... I think you're right. Change of scenary, some mild distraction... simply taking the time to STOP exerting mental energy I think may be the trick. Really well said there sir, and A for Effort with 'recapitulating'

    ChartTraderZ - I think the staring at the night sky 'nothing' is a big part of it, the pacing around the garden 'nothing' too... The smoking I suppose actually promotes deep breathing too, which is a bit crazy.

    However, I've never studied it, so I don't know if I even smoke enough for my body to have become reliant on it. I have a feeling I don't, but that's probably just denial...

    Pecan - Awesome name... But yes I think you're right. Just getting out in the fresh air, I don't need to smoke... it's just habitual, they go hand in hand. I don't know... I get bored 'just' standing around, it's something extra to do, even though it's 'just' breathing. Maybe I should try it drinking a coffee because it's 'just' drinking...

    gohan2091 - Fair enough, I agree, I hope you never do take it up... not really the point of the thread... :p Appreciate the enthusiasm though

    tryinhere - Thanks for the insights man... I think there's a lot of truth to that. I mean I agree it's totally a mental thing at the end of the day, as is everything... I know there's dispute about the legitimate physical withdrawal symptoms... I'm just trying to think...

    I know after a few hours of waking, I feel like I need a break and I'll look to where I keep my cigs, whether I want one or not... it's gotta be a mental trigger. Smoking = Break. I think I just need a new kind of break... that is if I really wanted to stop smoking.

    Now I just need to stop drinking Rioja with my buddy on Wednesdays...

    p.s. Possibly more than anything else in the world, I hate gum and gum-like substances... I'd rather commit a murder than have to chew gum, I'm so serious. I just couldn't live with myself if I had to chew gum...
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4792244].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Affiguy
    for me, tea breaks work best, especially if there is some sweets.
    Signature
    Affiliate's Recurring Commission: Up to 70%, $110 average sale rate + rebills! Both housewives and top managers highly convert. Join In Now!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4813077].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author IdrisSG
      I keep a list of things I love doing besides writing copy.

      On this list includes lotsa stuff.

      *Right now as I'm looking at the list there are 15 items.

      Mostly, I have a mission to do, some big change or an ongoing thing I'm doing.

      At the moment its learning hypnosis and getting rid of the last fistful of fat that refuses to budge from my tummy.

      So... when I need to "reset", I read a hypnosis script out loud which I've memorised or I do some ab exercises with my giant exercise ball.

      When it comes down to it I believe if you need to "reset" you've got to change your flow.

      When you're writing copy the flow = from the language/emotion part of the brain out onto paper.

      To change this flow, i.e. "reset" (or more accurately, stop accessing this particular neural pathway) do something completely different while being focused on it intensely, almost to the point where you forget that you were writing copy.

      ALSO - VERY IMPORTANT - don't do an activity to "reset" your mind, but do an activity so that you can experience it, there has to be more of a significance to the activity other than for the purpose of "resetting".

      Because if you do an activity to "reset" your copywriting flow the mental anchor will still be present and you would have just wasted time. You would come back to your chair still experiencing problems.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4813238].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    See now you're getting all smart on me :p

    Alright so if I've understood this correctly... you're saying that I need to take a break by doing something worthwhile... like exercise, or reading a book, or listening to an educational CD, something like that...

    I see where you're coming from, but in my experience... going out for the smoke, walking around the garden, looking at the sky... I'm not out there purely thinking about copy... but the copy does pop into my head over the 5 or so minutes I'm out there... and usually I come back inside knowing EXACTLY what I need to do.... with no problems whatsoever.

    Perhaps I've misunderstood mental anchor
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4814278].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author TianaBanana
    If I'm having a long like 10-12 hour day... I almost always start the day with caffeine and then have like maybe 3 cigarettes over the course of my day. "Smoke break" really does help you measure the day.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4814397].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    I love smoke breaks... I know I started by saying I was looking for something else but I sincerely enjoy them now!

    I've made peace with it, and I think it was Alex and Mark's fault.

    Alex said smoking a bit won't hurt you.

    Mark said 'I smoke and I'm cool and I fish and that'.

    So now I'm just totally a smoker... or should I say... A WRITER!

    Cos there's coffee too.

    Over the course of 10-12 hours of work... I'm feeling maybe 5-6 might be around the right area. I've got a crappy attention span though

    Excellent name by the way.

    EDIT: Just noticed the thread tags are 'break, cigarette'
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4814616].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Presto Smith
    Ever tried a power nap? Set an alarm for 15 minutes. Just getting away for a bit can help energize and bring a fresh look at the situation.
    Signature
    Presto! Web Developers at Your Service.
    Like Us | We Need Some Fans :) Help a Brother Out and Like Us on Facebook.
    Secure Clickbank Product Delivery | follow link for the WSO (unbeatable price)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4814708].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    A POWER NAP... there's an idea.

    My only trouble with that is my body clock isn't for **** at the moment.

    I spent 2 months in a 9am to 5pm sleep cycle and it was the worst...

    Now after only 2 weeks in a more regular 'awake in the early am, asleep in the late pm' it's starting to slip!!

    Potential side effects of having no fixed routine :p

    I might try it though... I'm sure it'll all even out in the end

    Thanks Presto!
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4815889].message }}

Trending Topics