How can you build resilience to overcome creative blocks?

You don't actually know when you will have a creative block. Best advice is to be perpetually curious about what you don't know. Travel to a different country, eat food you never ate before, read something you know nothing about. Key is to feel comfortable with unknowns so that when you are faced with coming up with creative solution to something, it does not feel uncomfortable. This simple feeling allows you to better solve a problem with a creative solution.

You might find these to be unusual methods, but they have worked for me over many years... Mix things up: I often take a different route to work, when I have to drive. I switch between my right and left hand for certain activities, like playing the drums or shaving or moving the mouse around. Pick a different pair of shoes. Metaphorically, take a different path to the waterfall. Mental puzzles: Every time I post to Strava, I create an interesting narrative that has its source in music. Crosswords. Sudoku. Poems. Or, just rewrite the lyrics to a song. Get moving: I find that once I am in the groove of a ride or a run or a paddle, my mind opens up to new tributaries lain in the back of my brain. I return with solutions. Get sketchy: Draw.

Creative blocks and plateaus can cause us to pause and maybe want to walk away because of the self doubt they can create. The best solution is to "work through it." Have faith that putting in the work will get you where you want to be.

During these moments of new experiences, I keep a notebook or use my mobile phone to record spontaneous thoughts. This process is not just about finding immediate solutions but about freeing my mind. I ask myself: What fresh ideas are coming to mind, and how can I expand on my current ideas? This helps in understanding the underlying blockage in my creative process.

En el voraz mundo profesional, vencer bloqueos creativos es crucial. La resiliencia, potenciada por gratitud y mindfulness, se convierten en aliados clave. * Cultivar gratitud refuerza tu resiliencia y despierta nuevas ideas. Celebra triunfos, grandes o pequeños, cada día. * Practica plena conciencia diaria, enfocándote en la respiración. Este ejercicio no solo reduce el estrés, sino que también aviva la creatividad. * Abraza bloqueos creativos como trampolín para aprender. Ajusta tu enfoque con amor propio. La resiliencia crece al permitirte fallar. ¡Abraza estas herramientas y libera tu potencial! #Resiliencia #Gratitud #Mindfulness #LinkedInCreativo

When I was managing a team, I told my team, "Don't tell me "but", come without buts." I want to do X project BUT, I want to host Y people BUT... These are sentence structures that undermine creativity. Instead, I said tell me your opinion and as a leader, I will work to remove the obstacles in front of you. As a result, we learned the working mechanism of unmanned space vehicles from a NASA employee who was selected as a senior engineer by SpaceX.

At times, creative blocks can be caused by severe distress, lack of psychological safety, something going on in an employee’s personal life, anxiety, etc. These blocks can be very stressful and terrifying for creatives working under pressure to perform. If this happens to you, your body is in fight-or-flight more than likely. Do something else entirely: go for a walk in nature, take a shower, have a relaxing cup of tea, or step away and do another task for a while. Allowing the mind to resettle into a relaxed, safe place is key. In instances like this it’s important as a manager to make sure your team feels supported where they can come to you for assistance to talk through any creative or personal challenges (the latter if they wish).

My strategy for overcoming creative blocks involves engaging in activities that are distinctly different from my routine. Whether it's working from a café or engaging in indoor rock climbing, these activities refresh my perspective and foster an environment where creativity can thrive.

If simply can’t get the back rolling on any creative solutions to the topic at hand, get the creativity flowing on something else. Maybe a different project. Or maybe something completely unrelated to work. Write a song. Draw. Craft a poem. Create a meal. Grab your Legos.

I find as a Shabbat observer the complete disconnect with everything and tech. Gives me a unique perspective and creative mindset.

Clearing your head is often the best idea. And I find one of the best ways to do that is take a walk, preferably outside. On the way back to the office, allow your mind to drift back to the challenge at hand.

Your experience should be enough. Your experience you gained in overcoming obstacles previous to this obstacle; should help you overcome.

Reflecting on my state before and after engaging in different activities is crucial. It's a form of taking a mental break, allowing me to see the contrast in my creative state and understanding the benefits of stepping away from the usual routine.

Understanding that creative blocks are a natural part of any creative or innovative endeavor is key. It's about embracing these moments as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than viewing them as failures.

After identifying new and expandable ideas, I assess their impact on my happiness and their complexity on a scale of 1 to 3. Choosing one complex but impactful idea and another simpler one that brings joy, I take small steps towards implementation. This approach not only helps in navigating through the block but also fosters a sense of gratitude and optimism for the ideas I can generate and act upon.

Approaching creative blocks with compassion and kindness, and employing a structured method to navigate through them, not only alleviates stress but also paves the way for a smoother creative journey. Being gentle with ourselves during these times makes it easier to overcome these challenges.

Start. Stop worrying about if your ideas are any good. Just start putting ideas on paper, with no judgment. Challenge yourself to come up with three of the worst ideas ever. Ask yourself how someone else (someone specific) would solve it. Consider how you would solve it if it were orange. Just get the ideas rolling, and good ones will start appearing.