Creatives, Get Unstuck!

10 Ways to Remove Creator’s Block and Get Productive

We’ve all been there -a blank brain struggling to produce something on the virtual blank page. For some reason, your creative channel is blocked and you feel stuck. Your motivation wanes and your mood turns sour. I’m there now. So instead of working on my scheduled article, I’ve decided to creatively procrastinate by telling you the ways I normally get unstuck!

Figure Out Why You’re Blocked

Maybe you’re overwhelmed. Your project may be too large, or the topic is too vast. Or maybe your disorganized list of tasks has grown too unruly. You may be a perfectionist or on some level, afraid of judgment or criticism. Maybe you’re doubting your skillset or competence. Or you could be competing with someone other than yourself. Ask yourself what’s really going on? Pull out a journal and write about it. Set aside time to examine what’s challenging you so that you will have a plan to squash it immediately when it shows itself again. And know that it will.

Determine Your Fear

Most creative blocks are caused by fear and uncertainty. There is often an expectation that we are not confident we can meet. Ask yourself these types of questions:

What are you really worried about? Do you have the right skillset? Do you know the required software well enough? Are you putting too much on your to-do list? Do you really have enough time to create quality work? Are you ok with asking for help? How will a miscalculation with this project affect you and your career? How realistic are your fears?

These types of questions may be difficult to consider alone. If so, reach out to a trusted friend and discuss them. This exercise is a time investment that will pay off in greater productivity in the future.

Procrastination is Pain Avoidance

I am aware that some people think of a creative block as a thing. I think of it as a form of procrastination. And procrastination is a form of pain and frustration avoidance. Have you ever had this type of conversation with yourself?:

Why am I not doing X? If I don’t finish X soon, I’ll miss the deadline…again! Well, I’ll start! I’ll start right after I complete Wordle. Wait! Is that a video about how to make a cake look like a shoe? Let’s see…

I’ve done this. It’s often because dealing with X is more stressful than the consequence of not dealing with X. If you procrastinate long enough, you’re private thought of “I didn’t know how” will become the excuse “ I ran out of time”. And you’ll be left with the negative feelings attached to this process of avoidance.

What pain are you avoiding by not starting or finishing the project?

Now that you’ve discovered your challenge, you can transform that enormous amount of avoidance energy into creative energy.

Put on a Timer and Take the Next Step

It’s time to make decisions. Put on a 20-minute timer and ask yourself:

Should I move forward on this project? Should I ask for help? Should I ask for more time? Should I improve my skills and/or my knowleddge? Should I reprioritize my projects? Should I tackle a simpler project right now?

Answer these questions and jot down simple resolutions. Remember to set yourself up for future success by understanding when and why you are procrastinating. Your brain can cleverly help you avoid pain and frustration by suggesting busy work that won’t produce useful results. And just so you know, making a long, detailed, 4-page plan on how you’ll write that 300-word article on electric toothbrushes is procrastination.

Good Administration Deters Procrastination

Make notes on how you can improve your time management and project prioritization skills. There are great 15-minute videos on youtube on this topic. Use a reliable calendaring system to plan how and when you will work on these skills. Planning pulls dreams out of the ether and makes them real. If you must, set up a specific time for research and a specific time for writing. Don’t forget to schedule a time to update your calendar every week.

Now Let’s Get Unstuck!

So you’ve decided to move forward with your project. Your challenge is not a lack of skills or talent, you just need to open that creative channel. Here’s what to do next.

1Quickly jot down and prioritize the tasks required. Ask for help or advice for those tasks that trouble you.

2Check-in with your physical well-being. Even if you’re working from home, you should exercise, shower, dress comfortably, and prepare your favorite beverage before sitting at the computer. How you feel affects your productivity. Also, following a routine helps the brain know when it’s time to focus, so do that.

3 Get the creative juices flowing: read a poem, journal, review a successful project, watch motivational material, fire up a podcast discussing your industry, or put on motivating music. Set a timer so that you won’t cleverly procrastinate under the guise of finding motivation.

4 Do the easiest tasks of the project first. This will give you a feeling of accomplishment. Take 10-minute breaks between segments of your project.

5 If you’re overwhelmed by a writing project, pretend you’re writing to your friend. How would you explain Cytokinesis to your kid sister? Take the pressure off of yourself and just write it. You can improve the article during your editing session.

6Change your working location occasionally. Go to the bookstore or coffee shop. If you’re working at home, take your laptop to a different room or a different sitting area. In the office, go to an ignored conference room or the office of a recently fired coworker. Why not. Working from a different spot will shake things up, hopefully without a call from HR.

7Change equipment. If possible, work on your tablet today, or on your iMac instead of your laptop. Speak an article into your phone and edit it later.

8Take regular breaks. Pull up a motivational video from youtube and watch it for 10–15 minutes. Watch a fun, short video that has nothing to do with work. Break up work sessions by taking a 10-minute break each hour.

9At the end of the day, leave your project open at a point where you can jump right back in the next day without hesitation. Do not start the workday with no idea of what’s next. Pre-planning the night before will help you avoid getting stuck again.

10 Have someone to write, text, or call when you get stuck. Also, you should be willing to do the same for that creative person. When we have someone trustworthy to grab on to, we are less likely to get mired in fear and procrastination. Respect each other’s time by doing all you can to keep your creative side active and flowing.

Avoid Blocks in the Future

These blocks are not always avoidable but preparation, strategies, and communication will ensure that you are not derailed for long periods of time. Good luck going forward. Now, I can get back to my regularly scheduled programming.