How do you overcome creative block?
Aaron O'Leary
47 replies
Creative block affects everyone at some point, I get it quite often when working on a new idea, normally I use exercise, relaxing, reading and journalling to get to a better state. How about you?
Replies
Sean Song@seansong
HiDock H1
I cannot always be creative, that's not nature. So just live with it.
by the way, check out my new product: https://www.producthunt.com/upco...
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Taking a break - meditation is good, walking, swimming, biking, being out in nature...
Sometimes thinking small helps - by that I mean breaking down the over all thing you're working on into each of its components and then focusing on just one of them for a while - clear the mind of all the distractions of the other parts. This I find can spark some really great ideas!
Positive Tomato
Walking, cooking and woodworking. For me, sometimes creative block is a sign for something entirely different, like the idea might not be that close to my heart.
By doing something completely different, I can also see how much every moment I wanna come back to the project.
Product Hunt
@sameercharles Woodworking, that's super interesting! Have you made anything recently? I could never get the hang of it!
Take a break, cooking and music and continue
For me, creative block is not a bad state at all, quite the contrary. If you're not ACTIVELY working on something, it doesn't mean your brain isn't! Whenever I feel like sitting in front of the screen is fruitless right now, I easily let myself play a game, take a walk, do chores (or whatever else). And while I'm doing it, my brain is passively working on my problem, and I inevitably get an inspiration strike. Then I can sit down and write a great article for 3000 words in three hours with smoke coming from under my fingers:)
A remote working solution.
Here are a few strategies I rely on:
- Get inspired by something. If you are a writer, read a good book. If you are a designer, check out new work on Dribble, and so on. It helps set the bar for your projects and feeds you ideas.
- Set a timer and just get to it. Sometimes constraints like a limited time window motivate us (that's why a lot of people can work deeply a few hours before a deadline).
- Break the task down into smaller components - writing a full article or designing an e-book might be intimidating, but if you take it a block or a page at a time, it's way more doable.
exercise as you said, and also getting any and every idea on paper in front of me and then I can see it, visualize and take action.
The best content I write is not a product of inspiration, neither of a tragedy, taking a break, or hours of market research.
My best content is a product of Reading my Brand Story for 30 min a day.
That means reading my:
1. Ideal Customer Profile
2. Narrative and Message
3. Positioning Strategy
4. Competitor Strategy and Differentiation
Read it every day first thing in the morning. That's how it will work.
I always appreciated trying/learning new things that I've always been interested in but never took the effort towards. The spark of curiosity was always a nice motivator that translated into a a desire to be more creative.
LeaksID Data Room
I think that the best way – take a brake. Our brain work in background mode all time. When you take time to relax – new idea will come =)
Morning walkings in nature make me always inspired. Sometimes best ideas come to me while I'm swimming. If I need focusing beyond the thoughts I'd rather small breaks or short sleeps.
I find working out or taking a shower stimulate my creativity 😊
Watch inspiration, competitors, other industries to think out of the box.
List all the good ideas you've found.
Try sketching stuff that includes these ideas.
Ape Academy
I love meditating. It helps me reset. After, I like going on a long walk!
Product Hunt
the best way i feel is to take cold water bath !
I try to distract myself with other activities or some relaxation ! Writing things down even help sometimes :D
Don't force things. Take your time. Do something else, go for a walk/long drive, enjoy the weather outside. These things helps a lot!
Is it creative block or procrastination?
Most of the time, people experience creative block when they are in severe burnout or overwhelmed with the amount of tasks they have to do in a day or week. It's like you're mind is telling you 'you're overworked, and you need to rest.'
The solution: If you can't keep your mind off of something, take a break. Relax. Go for a walk, listen to your fav playlist or podcast show, and even spend 15 to 30 mins of you're time doing nothing.
Meanwhile, some people uses 'creative block' as an excuse when they wanted to procrastinate or (they already did procrastinate, but) spent most of their time doing nothing.
The solution: Just do it! I've read the three-hour work-focused period where you have to work for 3 hours straight without any distraction. This can help you get started, finish more tasks, and feel better knowing you're done with a lot of things in a day.
Two different things requires two different solution.
Stepping away from the task for some time may be helpful if you've discovered that you've been thinking about it for hours. Balance is the key!