What could be better for a freelance writer then having just one well-written article that could be republished year after year? We are not talking about an article “Ten most overlooked tax deductions”. Taxes wouldn’t be a right choice of a topic for a ‘timeless” article, because a tax code is constantly changed. You cannot reuse this article the next tax year except keeping the catchy title. What, if you come up with the right topic, and then the article you wrote would not need to be rewritten, but only slightly refreshed before submitted again? Do you like this idea or does it sound more like an impossible dream? Don’t rush with answers, before you familiarize yourself with the concept of writing a “timeless” article. The foundation of “timeless” writing is the assumption that people don’t change, statistics do. Now let’s take a closer look at stress as the topic for the “timeless” article.
Stress is the perfect choice for at least two reasons. First, stress is not going disappear from our lives anytime soon. Second, thanks to the American Psychological Association you have a free on-line access to its annual report “Stress in America”. The most recent version of this report was released in January 2012, and its seventy four pages are full of useful data. Everything is going to look even better, after you visit the American Psychological Association’s official web-site and find more similar reports published annually. Reading through those reports about stress you will realize that stress is the excellent topic for the “timeless” article, because people haven’t changed since 2008. The three main stressors are still the same. People continue to react to stress the same way. And all the information gathered by psychologists shows only change in statistical numbers, but not in human behavior. Now it is time to reveal the secrets:
- 1. There are three leading causes of stress in America: money, work, and the economy.
In 2011 money were a source of stress for 75% of adults, followed by work (named by 70%), and the economy (67%). In the relatively good economy, in April 2008, money, work, and the economy were 75%, 66%, and 62% respectively. In September 2008 numbers changed again to 81%, 80%, and 67%. As you can see “work” and “the economy” might change places between 2008 and 2011, but they are still on the top. Chances are that money, work, and the economy will continue to be leading causes of stress in the U.S. for years to come.
- 2. Lack of willpower and lack of time are the major barriers preventing people from changing their lifestyle.
In 2009 two-thirds of adults were diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions, in the majority of cases it was high blood pressure or high cholesterol. As a result, 70% of patients were recommended lifestyle and behavioral changes. They admitted facing two major barriers to follow the recommendations. 33% of Americans said that they don’t have enough willpower. 20% named lack of time as the reason. In 2011 lack of willpower and lack of time were named as obstacles to change by 27% and 26% of Americans respectively. The contemporary busy lifestyle isn’t going to slow down anytime soon. It means people won’t have more time in a near future. As for willpower, do you really expect any changes for the majority of the American population?
- 3. Women are under more stress than men.
Women repeatedly feel being under higher level of stress than men. The most likely reason for that is that men believe that stress has a little to no impact on their physical health (36% of men compared to 26% of women) or mental health (40% of men compared to 32% of women). For the same reason, women pay more attention to stress management (68% of women compared with 52% of men). As you can see, gender matters, when it comes to stress and stress management. Do you think that would change any time soon?
Knowing these three secrets of writing about stress you can create your very own “timeless” article. Start by mentioning money, work, and the economy as the top reasons for feeling stressed. Explain why people fail, when they need to adopt healthy lifestyle and reduce stress (lack of willpower and time). Bring to reader’s attention that women feel more stressed then men and pay more attention to stress management. Make a sound conclusion, and your “timeless” article will be ready. Year after year you may refresh your article about stress by replacing some numbers.
Now you know all the secrets, so what are you waiting for? Start writing!
Sources:
- 1. The Three Secrets of Writing a “Timeless” Retirement Strategy Article by Roman Poroshyn
- 2. The 2011 Stress in America Report. American Psychological Association.
- 3. The 2009 Stress in America Report. American Psychological Association.
- 4. The 2008 Stress in America Report. American Psychological Association.
- 5. The 2007 Stress in America Report. American Psychological Association.
