If you rely on creativity for your work, for fun, or for a business you’re building, you know how easy it is to exhaust your creativity and motivation.
Sometimes you just don’t have anything more to give.
The problem is, in this new creativity-fueled world we live in, sometimes you don’t have room in your schedule to refuel.
But creativity isn’t a well you can draw on anytime, anywhere. Sometimes you have to take the pressure off and regroup. Sometimes you simply need a break.
For those times when you absolutely have to produce today, instead of tomorrow, here are 5 things you can try to get the creativity flowing again in an hour or less.
1) Take your show on the road.
If you have the luxury of working from different places during the day, a creative block can sometimes be resolved with new surroundings.
The local coffee shops and cafes equal creative gold for me more often than not. I try not to go too often so I don’t wear out the magic.
Get out and try working in a new place. See if that revives the creative spirit.
2) Get some exercise.
The effectiveness of this is usually impressive for me, but there’s a line you have to be careful not to cross. If you overdo the exercise you might find yourself lethargic or tired.
A quick run, medium-intensity gym session or a little group sport should do it.
There’s something about the increased blood flow and putting your focus on a physical activity that makes for a creativity-inducing combo.
3) Read something.
If your brain is stuck in a rut, maybe it needs a little literary break or a dash of ideas gleaned from a good book.
You don’t necessarily have to read something related to the problem you’re working on. I’ve found that a little diversion can be even better.
4) Play some music that will get you jazzed.
Music is a fantastic mood changer. For some reason, I often forget just how much motivation I find in music, and I’ll go days without playing any tunes while I work.
If you’re stuck or blocked, put on some of your favorite tunes. Turn ‘em up loud. Feel the groove and see if your creativity returns.
5) Take a snooze.
Are you a napper? Why fight it?
If you’re feeling the urge, maybe a nap is exactly what you need. 15 minutes of shuteye might just recharge the batteries and put you back on the creative train.
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Keep in mind that a lack of creativity can be like insomnia. The more you worry about it, the worse your situation becomes.
The trick is to get your mind off of the problem at hand. Give yourself permission to spend time changing it up before you get back to your work.
What do you do when duty calls, but the creativity just isn’t there?
How do you recharge the creative batteries?
It’s funny that you ask. I am kn the EXACT situation right now. My main blog is fine and I am 100% satisfied with its design. But my personal blog is so desperately in need of an overall theme, it’s not even funny.
I decided to sleep on it. I woke this morning with a great idea for an improved color scheme. I just need to come up with a design pattern and I’m good to start creating. I definitely had a creativity block last night, though.
I think stepping completely away is the key.
Taking a slow walk is good because it is exercise and visually stimulating as well. Walking pace seems to shift us into flow states, the same states used in sustained creative work. Also, an old Julia Cameron tip works for me: when stuck on something, stir something up in the kitchen — making a stew or a soup once again stimulates your visual sense and sense of smell. When your ideas are stale, you generally need some fresh sensory input, which might be why going to cafes works for you, Corbett.
I have also heard on numerous occasions that peppermint puts you in a state of mind that is conducive to learning. Unfortunately, I haven’t checked on this for verification. But I did buy a box of mini candy canes for my desk in hopes to think more clearly when I am working online.
I recharge my creative battery by watching a movie, surfing my Twitter home feed, and driving around.
The best thing is just to try to distract yourself from initially thinking about something. When you do this creativity will come out.
Going for a walk (or hike) works the best for me. My thoughts wander in interesting directions and new ideas emerge. Be sure to bring a small notebook though! Sometimes I get home again and can’t remember it all.
Writer’s block? Either I do a morning pages exercise, or do an artist’s date (Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way).
I love running now. I never got into much workout but in recent years have discovered that it makes me much more creative. I feel inspired and seem to have ideas just flowing from me when I work out now.
Also, I have to mix up my “office” environment. It helps me to keep my A-D-D in check, too.
Music, exercise and nap are my antidotes. Thanks for the reminder. I love to roam and I love to read, so those two are usually turn into more distractions for me. Hmmm, but that’s the idea, right? I’ll have to try.