I started writing this book in the middle. The thing is, as you probably know yourself, however familiar you are with your subject it can take time to get into the headspace to write. I could have started at the beginning, but I usually write the introduction last. That way, I know what it is I’m introducing because I’ve already written it. So yes, in that case, I could have started with Rule 1. But it wasn’t grabbing me that day, and I knew the important thing was just to get going, get into it. So I picked a Rule I was in the mood for and began there.

Sometimes, getting into the right headspace is the problem you’re trying to solve. Whether you’re writing a book, planning an event, looking for a house, designing a product, writing a report, the biggest problem can be knowing where to start.

This often leads to stalemate and procrastination. You’re not sure how to start so you don’t start at all. After a while you add a second problem to this: time is slipping away. So now you can’t get started and there’s a deadline looming. Extra stress which certainly isn’t helping.

I’m not sure I believe in writer’s block. I don’t think it’s an affliction that descends on creative souls and there’s nothing they can do but wait for it to pass. I suspect it’s the result of poor thinking – it certainly is with me. As a writer, you have the luxury of managing your own time so you can get away with claiming the muse hasn’t descended. I don’t see many middle managers claiming writer’s block when they can’t get going on a crucial report. They wouldn’t get away with it.

Whether you’re a writer, a manager or anyone else, the trick when faced with a major exercise you’re struggling to get going with is to think about it differently. You don’t have to start a book at the beginning. You can start anywhere you like. The same goes for everything else. Just find anywhere you can start, and get the thing kicked off. The problem tends to be worst when you’re not feeling confident or knowledgeable about the project. So pick an element you feel is in your comfort zone, or which you have firm opinions about, and begin. Maybe you’ve never organised a big event before, but at least you know what you think it should look like. Great – start there, and let the rest of it fan out from that point. Stuck on a major presentation? Plan your conclusion first if it helps, or think about the visuals you want to use if that’s your forte.

It might be that once you get properly stuck into the project, you go back and modify, delete, edit, change, remove the bit you started with. Doesn’t matter. It’s served its purpose now. It’s not wasted work because it did a brilliant job of getting you under way, regardless of whether it’s still in place at the final cut.