How do you deal with creative blocks?
Business Marketing with Nika
31 replies
You need to come up with something, but you can't come up with anything.
How do you solve that?
When I was in a creative agency, many times, I felt like without any solid idea how to do things differently. I realised how other people attend many events or places where the art is. Since then, I tried to "train creativity".
Some of the activities I did and I am doing are:
π brainstorming with friends (or ChatGPT)
π reading books (I tried to incorporate fiction)
π creative writing or other methods (eg Six Thinking Hats)
π taking up some activities related to creation: photography, drawings.
π above mentioned attending creative events and places (galleries, concerts etc)
What does help you?
Replies
Lorenz Sell@lorenzsell
Sutra
If I'm really stuck, I'll just start writing. It doesn't have to be about the thing that I'm trying to be creative about. Maybe it's just some personal journaling. But just put pen to paper and write. Sometimes that can feel brutal if I'm particularly blocked, but more often than not, my writing will start heading towards what I'm trying to get to.
I also find there's a big difference between creation and editing. When I try to combine the two, it rarely works well. If I just let myself create without trying to make it perfect at the same time, that gives me a lot more freedom. I also apply this if I'm writing and I need to look up a reference or something. Instead of interrupting my writing, I'll make a not or loosely describe what I wanted to look up and just keep going. That makes all the difference.
Once I have a solid draft, editing and polishing is much easier.
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Vozo AI
I tackle creative blocks by stepping away for a bit and immersing myself in a different activity to refresh my mind. Additionally, I find brainstorming with colleagues often sparks new ideas and perspectives.
Taking a day off works usually. However, one insight i have learnt is that if you are delaying something for a lot of time, you should evaluate that item again. Is it really worth it? That helps.
Mine is - Changing Environment, Taking Breaks, Exercising, Collaborating) It really helps!
Bababot
I always have a cup of coffee and walks on the green grass
Hubflo
When I hit a creative block, I find brainstorming with friends or using tools like ChatGPT really helpful. I also enjoy reading fiction, trying different creative writing exercises, and exploring activities like photography or attending events for fresh inspiration.
Hubflo
@busmark_w_nika Yea I have tried GPT to respond, also use the whole content and it give the concise answer of you theory :P
Olo - Easier than Meditation
My top 3
1) I take paper and pen, set intention, and close my eyes. Kind of meditate but instead of avoiding thinking, I let my mind wander
2) a long walk in a boring neighborhood but with some nature for inspiration
3) listen to atmospheric immersive music (no singer or lyrics) lying down with an eye mask for maximum immersion
Essentially I minimize input and maximize connection to inside.
Olo - Easier than Meditation
@busmark_w_nika I often struggled to find audio for playlists that was both immersive and varied in flow. So, I decided to create an app to solve this problem. Excited to announce that our launch is coming soon!
https://www.producthunt.com/prod...
Great tips!
I usually take a break, brainstorm with colleagues or read a good book. Sometimes stepping away helps the ideas flow again.
A really cool think that helps ~most~ is to do something that activates the Default Mode Network. Basically, that's when you stop "trying" to think hard and just let your brain relax and your train of thought go unrestricted
For me, it's doing dishes and running
@busmark_w_nika I do love to self-study psychology! I believe, the course on DMN was part of marketing creativity course π€π€
Awesome tips, Nika!
I also find that switching mediums helps. If I'm stuck on writing, I'll switch to sketching or even cooking β anything that gets my brain working differently.
App Finder
I think that analytical methods can also help with creativity, e.g.
Complete partitioning of possibilities: Divide all possibilities for what you want to create into categories, possibly repeat. This often helps to discover many new possibilities.
Backtracking: Consider if what you want to create is really necessary to reach your actual goal. You may discover that creating something quite different letβs you reach your goal faster or easier.
Systematic web search for things similar to what you want to create.
Survicate
I only experience creative block when writing for work, doesn't happen with personal stuff. So when I feel like I can't think of another word for work stuff, I switch to personal working and it usually helps :)
If I am tired of creating, some content, I will also do some domestic work like
I will go to order platform to see how things heβs going on over there like giving my eyes, some love things that we give me joy I will come back to what I was doing
But I still want to ask some question how can I go to events like if you donβt have some thing like physical π΅
Stepping outside for a break helps. Walking my dog or surfing if I can. If I'm on a walk with my dog and you see me starting to walk really fast to get back home, it's because I had an idea!
Respired.io
I take a break to walk my dog! I find getting out of the house and getting fresh air switches up how my brain is functioning and often times helps to think from a different perspective. And when that doesnβt work I turn to talking to AI, treating it like I would a conversation with a person as that sometimes gets me to come to the realization just by putting my thoughts down.
When I'm in creating block, I usually try to load myself with as much information as possible about the task, then walk or sleep a night with it. Often, the solution comes afterwards.
When I hit a creative block, I take a page out of Harry Potter's book and grab my "invisibility cloak"βa.k.a., I take a step back and let my mind wander invisibly. π€£
Alright, actually sometimes, a change of scenery or a good nap works like magic. Other times, I brainstorm with friends over a coffee. It's amazing how often the best ideas come when you're not actively looking for them!
Great insights! Training creativity is indeed a valuable endeavor.
I've found that making creativity a DAILY HABIT significantly enhances my ability to think outside the box. Consistency in creative activities, even in small doses, can be incredibly effective.
Some of my daily practices include:
π Meditation twice a day to clear mental blocks and foster a free flow of ideas.
π Playing the piano, which helps me connect with my creative side.
Some of my weekly routines, also mentioned by others, include:
π Meeting new people to gain fresh perspectives and insights.
π Playing golf, which offers a zen-like experience, opportunities to meet new people, and the chance to be in nature.
By integrating these activities into my routine, I not only train my mind but also build resilience and a sense of accomplishment. What are some of your DAILY PRACTICES?
Fitness is something that is so good for our mind. It often helps me work on ideas and clear my head when needed.
Also, doing something else creative that is not controlled, such as sketching, painting, or similar can be beneficial as well.
After the creative block is gone and the ideas are generating, write them down. I sometimes literally use post it notes when in a hurry. Hope this helps!