But, I kept it moving by regularly writing something. If I got stuck in one chapter, I would work on another incomplete chapter. Sometimes, I had a to-do list for parts that had to be written, and at other times I just scanned through unfinished chapters looking for something to catch my eye.

And, it worked. I couldn't spend more than a few minutes browsing before I would have a new idea to write out. Of course, that new stuff didn't always survive later revisions, but much of it did.

In addition, rejects often led to other, better passages. The original passage might be lost, but if it led to something that did work, then time spent on it was worthwhile. On some occasions, when idea wouldn't fit, rejects ended up being foundations of standalone articles.

If you still find yourself stuck after looking at your to-do list and browsing work you've already done, you can do a couple of other things. Taking a walk works for many people, including me. Simply getting outside and taking my mind off issue often helps, as does thinking about issue as I'm getting ready to go to sleep.

You can also look for ideas in other places. Take a trip to a library or bookstore, for example, and let yourself -- and your mind -- wander. Don't go in with a plan in mind; simply go in and browse books and magazines, anything that catches your eye, even if it's not even remotely connected to what you're writing about.

You can also use rewriting as a spur to starting again. I've often found that a door opens and new ideas emerge when I revise, simply because I've changed my focus.

Finally, and assuming project doesn't involve a boss or client, it sometimes makes more sense to take your time than to charge ahead. If you get satisfaction in seeing your work improve with each new set of revisions; if you are or want to be a professional of some kind; or if you're enjoying yourself too much to want to finish, then enjoy process and let finishing wait for another day.

If you work with others in an organization, seek out opportunities to use your talents. Let people around you know that you’d love to use your knowledge and skills to help them. Take a chance at stretching beyond your job description or specific department. If you hear of an upcoming project that requires your strengths, offer your services immediately. Or if you see a colleague struggling with a task that would be easy for you, gently offer assistance. Build on your successes by leveraging them to next project or new customer.

If you’re in a supervisory or management position, how about having this conversation with your work group? Bring them together and ask them:

What knowledge do you have that isn’t being used here? Are there skills you’d like to use that aren’t being recognized? What are your interests? What do you really care about? Can we bring some of this into your current work?

You may find that people are a bit taken aback when asked these questions. There’s a good chance that no one has ever taken this kind of interest in them before. You may have to open up and reveal your answers first. Well go ahead, be brave and start this dialogue with yourself and with others to create a more meaningful workplace.

Ann Ronan, Ph.D., Career & Business Coach, works with professionals in career transition and with self-employed professionals who are working for a lunatic! She offers a FREE e-course on the Top Ten Ways To Live Authentically. To learn more about this step-by-step program and to sign up for FREE how-to articles and FREE teleclasses, visit http://www.authenticlifeinstitute.com.