One of my least favourite experiences is figuratively hitting the creative brick wall.
It happens to everyone… I hope.
For me it occasionally starts with getting so enticingly close to settling into that creative “zone” where ideas are plentiful and opportunities seem endless and the only limiting factor is how fast I can transcribe the thoughts before they vanish.
My sure-fire catalyst to induce creative thinking.
Then… THUD...
It all comes to an unceremonious, screeching halt.
This is a problem because, at least for me, I’ve focused a lot of my work experience on the creative process. Whether it’s drafting a keynote speech for an executive, concocting a communications campaign, or envisioning a new way to approach a product launch, I’ve tied my own sense of success and accomplishment to the creativity of said project.
Perhaps the most confusing element is I (still) haven’t figured out where the on/off switch is. Sometimes I’ll get in that “zone” during a meeting (occasionally on an unrelated topic), while commuting, or just as the warming embrace of slumber begins to set in, at which point I need to find both pen and paper. Stat.
I’ve tried to get that creative machine working again by working on something else, going for a walk, searching for inspiration in art/music/literature, even working it through in actual human conversation. They don't seem to work.
The one way that has consistently worked for me is exercise; getting into the gym and lifting heavy things above my head. Repeatedly. Then, and only when I’ve found my way to recovery, I get back to the task and find the ideas tend to flow again.
There may be some universal truth to this.
Anyway, that’s my secret life hack. I’m curious what approaches others take in tackling the same problem on their end. Feel free to share. I need a second option.
In the meantime, if you’ve called me and I didn’t pick-up, it’s probably because I’m in the gym working through a new creative approach to your biggest problem...
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