All day long you’ve been wrestling with the same problem. You’ve been through all the obvious solutions, and none of them worked. You’ve come to realize that you need to think outside the box on this one. It’s time to get creative.
Only problem is, you’ve got nada ideas. Nothing. You can’t come up with a single chuffing solution and time is running out – ugh. Stress rises, you’ve got a headache and you find yourself up against a mental brick wall.
In a world that demands constant solutions to problems, there’s nothing worse than coming up short just when you need creativity the most. Yet, even the likes of Picasso probably had his off days. Every artist has eyed that empty canvas with a certain feeling of dread. And is there a writer that hasn’t suffered writer’s block? I don’t think so! Even if you're problem isn't an artistic one, there's always a creative solution to every problem.
Thankfully there are ways to get your creative-thinking mojo back on track when you need to. Read on for some great ideas that will get you going and able to create again:
Take some time to de-stress
The more stressed you are, the less you’re able to think, much less think creatively. Our brains aren't great at working out problems when we're stressed. The chemical cascade that our brains produce shut down our ability to generate ideas, as it’s in fight or flight mode. Not conducive to artistic flair or flashes of inspiration. So, it's best to take some time off, relax and do something else. Exercise, listen to music, read a book, enjoy a long soak in a bubble bath. The solution will be there waiting when you’re relaxed enough to see it. It’s said that Einstein had his best ideas when taking a shower. And so can you.
Stop putting yourself down
Hating on yourself when you have a block is only going to make things worse. It’s true that we come to believe what we say about ourselves. Solve this issue by trying more positive statements like: “I am creative,” and “I can do this!”
Quit expecting so much of yourself
Looking for perfection is the surest way to fail. Start with looking for a solution – any solution. It could be that your crazy or even silly idea is the jumping off point you need. Make a mind map with the situation in the middle and write down anything that pops into your consciousness. Ask yourself, “If I knew ten possible answers to this problem, what might they be?” as that will crank up your brain’s propensity to provide answers when asked the right question. As you ask, you’ll feel the energy start to swirl and shift within you as ideas bubble up to the surface of your mind. Try it and see!
“You can increase your problem-solving skills by honing your question-asking ability.” Michael J. Gelb
Try something new
By experimenting with new art, involving yourself in a new sport, or going somewhere you’ve never been before, you engage your brain along different neural pathways and see the world in ways you haven’t before. Now is the time to try that thing you’ve always wanted to do. And if you haven’t time to start ticking off items from your bucket list right now, then try brushing your teeth with the opposite hand from the one you usually do. Yup, it sounds bizarre, but changing everyday habits suddenly can kickstart the neurons into waking up and buzzing into action. Writing with your opposite hand can really open up your thought processes.
Keep an ideas journal
Get yourself a notebook and list anything you find interesting. By writing down ideas the second you think of them, you train yourself to spot creative ideas. A physical journal is best, so you can doodle in the margins and scribble whatever comes to mind. Keep it handy, so you always have it when creativity strikes. Refer to it when you’re stuck for ideas. It will be a treasure trove of ingenious information to spark your creative engine into motion.
Use Switchwords
What the heck are switchwords you ask? They’re one-word mantras that distill the essence of what you want into a single word. The words themselves may not mean much to you, but your subconscious understands their meaning perfectly. You can use the words singularly, or you can say them as a string of words which is referred to as a switch-phrase. Try these:
ON The word ‘on’ increases creativity in all ways.
BRING The word ‘bring’ gives the ability to manifest (and you want to manifest a solution, right?
REACH Is the switchword par excellence for problem solving.
So, you could try Bring-On-Reach as a switch-phrase and simply recite it over and over as you go about your day. Repeating the switch-phrase has the added benefit of keeping your conscious mind occupied, while at the same time, instructing your subconscious mind to manifest increased creativity to find a solution to the problem. Clever eh? To find out more about switchwords, please take a look at my book, Speak Yourself Happy:
If you use these ideas as a starting point, you’re sure to find your creative juices flowing once again. Remember that creativity is about experimentation, so try out these ideas to learn what works for you. The point is not to give up. Keep trying and you’ll find that creative spark in no time!
“Creativity is intelligence having fun." - Albert Einstein
Please let me know about the tips and techniques that enhance your life - I'd love to hear from you. And if there's a particular issue or subject that you'd like me to explore in a blog, then drop me a line!
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And there's more...
Do you wish you were more creative? But you're not sure how to get your creativity hula-hooping in sync? Then take a peek at this book, an easy to read and concise guide to unblocking the shizzle that keeps you from being your creative self. With brilliant exercises to help you navigate through your internal blocks, get motivated, feel confident in your ability and finish that piece you've been promising to do for soooo long!
Get your copy here - please click on the link below: The Art of Creativity: 7 Powerful Habits to Unlock Your Full Potential - Susie Pearl:
Another resource to help you unblock your creativity. Julia Cameron studied why people have blockages to their creativity and discovered some interesting insights. It's not just a book on creativity, it's a course that takes you through various tasks to challenge yourself to widen your creative scope. Learn how to increase your creativity bandwidth with this book.
Discover more - please click on the link below: The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity - Julia Cameron:
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© Ruthy Baker 2021