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Abstract

’t Worry That Your Idea Has Been Covered Before</h2><p id="5e1c">It is easy to be excited about a new idea, but then become disheartened because you are not the first person to think of it. Feeling like your idea has to be completely original is a creative block that will hold you back because most things have been done already.</p><p id="105a">If you are worried that your ideas are too cliché and overdone, you may never begin. You build on the ideas of other creators and everyone learns from each other. <b>The trick is giving these your own spin and bringing passion into your work.</b></p><h2 id="61d9">Don’t Let the Negative Side of Your Project Get in Your Way</h2><p id="5f5f">There are always two sides to everything: the good and the bad. There will be negative aspects no matter what you try to do. Focusing on these too much blocks your creativity and often makes you abort your project altogether.</p><p id="fbb2">You have to balance out the pros and cons of everything you do.<b><i> </i></b>Just because there will be pitfalls along the way, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it! Determine what is important to you and keep that in mind.</p><h2 id="4a9a">Don’t Worry About Being Perfect</h2><p id="7299">Worrying about your project being perfect only hurts your overall goal. Elizabeth Gilbert mentions that <b>perfectionism is just a fancier version of your fear.</b> The truth is being a perfectionist often keeps you from starting something at all.</p><p id="6670">This coincides with the fear of failure. It is better to put the work in and finish something that is not good than to worry about how it will be perceived. Completing many imperfect projects is better than not finishing any of them. Just keep creating!</p><figure id="34b0"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*uuZw9MbOfykgb3TilP00fg.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by Pavel Danilyuk: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-a-painting-workshop-6925201/">Pexels</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="33f5">Don’t Be a Martyr</h2><p id="993d"><b><i>Big Magic</i> </b>states that there are two different kinds

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of creatives: Martyrs and tricksters. Martyrs’ hard work is shown by all the hardship they have had to undergo to get where they are. All the obstacles, blood, sweat, and tears show the world how accomplished they are.</p><p id="38c0">Tricksters; however, take a more playful approach to life. They are adaptable and look at projects from different angles, seeing how to do them differently. Everyone has both attributes, but it is helpful to remember you don’t have to take everything so seriously.</p><h2 id="c4d5">Don’t Forget Being Creative is a Paradox</h2><p id="d898">When you start building something new two contradictory sentiments are true: You must treat your work as if nothing matters more than it, but must also be willing to throw it away. While you are working on something, give it all you have and become engrossed in it.</p><p id="48f7">If this project doesn’t work out, that is okay, just move on to the next thing. Having this attitude helps you create more, and gives you more practice at your craft. This is better than getting stuck on one thing, unable to move forward. Ride the wave of inspiration while it is there, and worry about its longevity later.</p><figure id="5651"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/0*gEOIrFFCdIWxaRng"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/es/@lilartsy?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">lilartsy</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com?utm_source=medium&utm_medium=referral">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><p id="26e5">Share this post with 2 friends that are looking for inspiration. There are many blocks and pitfalls that make it hard to be creative. Learn how to overcome these by releasing your fears around how you are perceived, and creating without worrying about being perfect.</p><p id="2c52">The most important part about being an artist is to finish what you start. The more you do this, the better you will get at your craft. Read <b><i>Big Magic</i></b> by<b> Elizabeth Gilbert</b> to learn how to channel your ideas and become the prolific creator you are meant to be!</p></article></body>

How to Overcome Creative Blocks and Open the Door to Inspiration

Become a prolific creator by letting go of your fear

When inspiration hits a flood of passion and many ideas fill your head. It is often referred to as a “spark” of creativity because it is only the beginning of making something new. You have to put the work in to get the fire started. Ideas come to you all the time, but it is natural to freeze and not do anything with them.

Elizabeth Gilbert has a practical approach to creativity that helps overcome the struggles that all artists face. Here are some blocks to the creative process, from her book Big Magic, to overcome so you can finish your projects.

Don’t Let Fear Rule You

The biggest block to your creativity is fear. Being afraid that you are not talented enough, that no one will care about your work, and others will criticize what you do, are all feelings that hold you back. Making something new is scary because you do not know what the outcome will be.

Don’t focus on conquering your fear, but don’t let it rule you either. In an interview, Elizabeth Gilbert said, “I have no desire to become a fearless person because the only fearless people I have met are psychopaths and toddlers”.

Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash Edited in Canva

Don’t Worry That Your Idea Has Been Covered Before

It is easy to be excited about a new idea, but then become disheartened because you are not the first person to think of it. Feeling like your idea has to be completely original is a creative block that will hold you back because most things have been done already.

If you are worried that your ideas are too cliché and overdone, you may never begin. You build on the ideas of other creators and everyone learns from each other. The trick is giving these your own spin and bringing passion into your work.

Don’t Let the Negative Side of Your Project Get in Your Way

There are always two sides to everything: the good and the bad. There will be negative aspects no matter what you try to do. Focusing on these too much blocks your creativity and often makes you abort your project altogether.

You have to balance out the pros and cons of everything you do. Just because there will be pitfalls along the way, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it! Determine what is important to you and keep that in mind.

Don’t Worry About Being Perfect

Worrying about your project being perfect only hurts your overall goal. Elizabeth Gilbert mentions that perfectionism is just a fancier version of your fear. The truth is being a perfectionist often keeps you from starting something at all.

This coincides with the fear of failure. It is better to put the work in and finish something that is not good than to worry about how it will be perceived. Completing many imperfect projects is better than not finishing any of them. Just keep creating!

Don’t Be a Martyr

Big Magic states that there are two different kinds of creatives: Martyrs and tricksters. Martyrs’ hard work is shown by all the hardship they have had to undergo to get where they are. All the obstacles, blood, sweat, and tears show the world how accomplished they are.

Tricksters; however, take a more playful approach to life. They are adaptable and look at projects from different angles, seeing how to do them differently. Everyone has both attributes, but it is helpful to remember you don’t have to take everything so seriously.

Don’t Forget Being Creative is a Paradox

When you start building something new two contradictory sentiments are true: You must treat your work as if nothing matters more than it, but must also be willing to throw it away. While you are working on something, give it all you have and become engrossed in it.

If this project doesn’t work out, that is okay, just move on to the next thing. Having this attitude helps you create more, and gives you more practice at your craft. This is better than getting stuck on one thing, unable to move forward. Ride the wave of inspiration while it is there, and worry about its longevity later.

Share this post with 2 friends that are looking for inspiration. There are many blocks and pitfalls that make it hard to be creative. Learn how to overcome these by releasing your fears around how you are perceived, and creating without worrying about being perfect.

The most important part about being an artist is to finish what you start. The more you do this, the better you will get at your craft. Read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert to learn how to channel your ideas and become the prolific creator you are meant to be!