Stuck in a Creative Rut? 6 Ways to Unlock Your Inner Brainstorming Genius
Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank page or screen when you need inspiration? You need fresh ideas and lots of them. But the more you try, the more “stuck” you become.
I’ve been there and I’m sure you have too. Brainstorming can be tough when you’re not inspired. And the more you TRY to become inspired, the more inspiration escapes you.
But having great ideas on demand is important — whether you need fresh concepts for work, side hustles, or just personal projects.
Here’s the good news. You can train your brain to turn on that creative juice more easily.
Let me share some tricks I’ve picked up for brainstorming like a boss even when you’re feeling meh:
Escape From That Dull Environment
Get the creative juices flowing by changing your surroundings. If you’re used to brainstorming at your desk, grab your laptop and head to a coffee shop, park, or anywhere with natural scenery.
A new setting helps activate different neural pathways in your brain — it’s like giving your mind a reboot.
I come up with my best ideas when I’m surrounded by nature or in a buzzy, high-energy environment like a coffee shop. How about you?
Take advantage of that caffeine jolt if you’re at a coffee shop. A little coffee can stimulate the brain in ways that help you give birth to new ideas.
In one study, researchers looked at different quantities of caffeine on cerebral blood flow and brain activity. They tested 1 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg) They found that 2.5 mg/kg of caffeine was optimal.
If you weigh 60 kilograms (around 132 pounds), around 150 grams of caffeine would be optimal. That’s around a cup and a half of brewed coffee, on average.
So, avoid those triple-shot lattes — you still need to sleep at night!
Don’t Be in a Sleep Deficit
Speaking of sleep, make sure you’re getting enough Zzz’s so your brain is well-rested for brainstorming. I know, easier said than done sometimes.
But do your best to limit screen time before bed, avoid caffeine late in the day, and establish a calming pre-bed routine.
Your brain works better when it’s fully recharged. Awesome ideas tend to flow after a good night’s sleep, usually in the shower. Have you ever noticed that?
Get Moving!
Next, get your body moving for a greater flow of ideas! Instead of sitting to brainstorm, take a walk, bounce on an exercise ball, or just stand up. Moving your body increases blood flow to the brain.
I like to keep a small whiteboard or notepad with me during walking or bouncing brainstorming sessions to jot down ideas. Get those endorphins pumping — it works.
Don’t Censor Your Brainstorms
Let those ideas run wild and free when you’re brainstorming, no matter how off the wall they seem! Don’t let the idea sherrif throw handcuffs on the first quirky thoughts that cross your mind.
Give them a chance to breathe and see where they can lead!
When I’m kicking around ideas for a new project, my rule is I can’t judge. If my brain wants to suggest something silly like a “purple unicorn dancing contest,” so be it! Let it ride.
Oftentimes, those ridiculous first notions lead in surprisingly fruitful directions if I don’t censor them. And who knows — maybe that wacky purple unicorn really does have legs as a creative concept?!
If you censor yourself in those early free-flowing moments, you run the risk of missing out on something special simmering beneath the bizarre surface impressions.
So next time you’re in the ideation phase, give your unconventional mental flashes free rein to bounce around and build steam.
You never know what innovative or entertaining idea might be ready to break open the censors and start galloping once uncaged!
Get Others Involved
Don’t rely on your own thinking only. Bounce ideas off friends who have different perspectives and strengths. Collaboration is key for taking your concepts to the next level.
Run ideas by your roommate, call up your college buddy who always thinks outside the box, or even ask your artsy little cousin for input. Cross-pollination will spark creativity.
Get in the Habit of Brainstorming
Finally, make brainstorming a habit, not just something you do when you’re up against a deadline. Set aside 10 minutes each morning to generate ideas about anything at all.
Regular practice strengthens your creative muscles, so you get quicker and faster at ideating. It trains your brain to flip that “on switch” for storming mode whenever you need it.
So next time you need to flex your imagination, keep these tips in mind. Change your environment, get a good night’s rest, get moving, collaborate, and practice regularly.
With these tricks, you’ll be brainstorming like a champion in no time! Let those innovative ideas flow.
References:
Chen YF, Parrish TB. Caffeine dose effect on activation-induced BOLD and CBF responses. NeuroImage. 2009;46(3):577–583. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.03.012
