Summary

The article provides strategies for overcoming creative blocks and generating new ideas.

Abstract

The author acknowledges the universal challenge of running out of ideas, regardless of one's career. They suggest that despite feeling stuck, our brains are constantly collecting ideas subconsciously. The article recommends engaging in relaxing activities, temporarily setting aside the project causing stress, immersing oneself in art and nature, examining industry-specific content, and analyzing competitors' work to inspire new perspectives. The author emphasizes the importance of nurturing creativity through diverse experiences and maintaining a receptive mindset to capture sudden bursts of inspiration.

Opinions

The author believes that stress and anxiety are significant barriers to creativity, and engaging in relaxation techniques can help clear the mind.
Putting a stressful project on hold can be beneficial, as constant dwelling may exacerbate the creative rut.
Exposure to various forms of art, nature, and music is seen as a catalyst for stimulating creative thought.
Reading industry publications and exploring different angles on familiar topics can lead to fresh insights and content.
Analyzing competitors' work is considered a valuable method for discovering new approaches and viewpoints, as long as one avoids plagiarism and strives for originality.
The author advocates for the practice of carrying a notebook to capture ideas as they arise, emphasizing that creativity can be sparked at any moment.
The article conveys optimism about the endless potential for new ideas, suggesting that a depleted creative well can be replenished with the right strategies and mindset.

Help. I’ve Run Out of New Ideas? Now what?

Relax. Here is how I get my mojo back

It doesn’t matter what career path you are on; you always need a stockpile of ideas to work with. Maybe it’s writing, presenting, or designing; ideas are the gold standard in how you function in life.

While I’ve espoused here that ideas are everywhere and it’s OK to take a new twist on another Medium article, sometimes even that doesn’t help.

What to do? First, I know that I’m not out of ideas. I take a breath, sit back, and have some tea.

It’s true that when we get stuck, we think it’s forever. However, your brain is still going a hundred miles an hour, even when you don’t realize it. As you walk through life, you gather ideas every second, even in passive mode. You practically can’t avoid it.

I Start by doing something relaxing.

What you do and what I do to relax will be different. The problem is that stress and anxiety get in the way of creativity. Take some time to breathe, stretch and relax. Do you meditate? Try yoga, take a walk or go for a swim. By moving my body, I find that I clear my mind and remove stress from my chest. Truly. Try this. You will be surprised at much better you will feel.

Put your project on the back burner.

Sometimes the best thing for your creative rut is to put the project, either physically or virtually away. Mulling it while you are in a stress state doesn’t help. Don’t worry; it won’t go away. You are just moving “it” to the side for now. Instead, staring at it will only make the problem worse. Do something fun, or watch a movie.

Feed Your Creative Self

Art begets art. One of the best things to keep your creativity flowing is to give your brain some good, solid input. Go to a museum. They are great places to spark ideas. Of course, you read because you are a writer. Music is also a great way to get the juices flowing. If you have a garden, go outside and look at your trees and plants. If you don’t have a yard, go to your local park. Hopefully, you will hear some birds singing. What works for you will be different for everyone, but the point is to provide your brain with the richest input that you can find.

Look At What Is In Your World

If you write about your work or your particular interest, find some industry publications and look at the articles. There is always more than one way to write about something. Look at Medium. I’ve heard writers say everything has already been covered. If that is the case, then you have nothing to write about. But that isn’t the case. Again, there is more than one way to write about a topic. You have something new to add. What are the most prominent issues and the most significant concerns for your potential clients or readers? What are people in your field talking about? Finding out what these issues are and what the top people in your industry are saying about them can stimulate you to think of your business, products, services, and presented in a new way.

I Look At My Competition

I decided my competition was my best source of inspiration. I go through what other people have written about. I also go on Google and put in the topics I have written about and see what others have done with that information. What is their take on a particular point of view, and how do they present it? See if you can find something about a topic you would never have thought about or how it was delivered? This is rich territory for you. Just be very careful you don’t cut and paste, but take a new twist on an existing post.

I Never Know When A New Idea Will Spark My Creativity

I know it will. Something will come your way if you try even two of these suggestions. Or, maybe even several new ideas will come to you. A tried and true technique is to keep a small notebook with you while you are out, so you never miss a new idea. Even when you think your creativity tank is empty, you never know what will idea may come to you.

We’ve all been there. We wrack our brains for something new to write about and feel we have reached the bottom of our creative well. Not so. Use what is out there to enhance and expand what others have said, and get outside into the world around you. I believe in you and your newly enhanced creativity practice. When that happens, don’t panic. Your brain may need its roadblocks eliminated, or it might just need some new input. Remain calm, remember that there are many ways to re-stimulate those neurons, and get started!