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5 Approaches to Overcoming “Creativity Blocks”
By Robert Schwarz
The following article offers five simple approaches to activating your own creativity. The very idea of a creative block is a bit of a misnomer. The word “block” makes it sound as if the block were a thing, like a barrier that is in your own way. In fact most so-called blocks are really exaggerated responses to the normal creative process that includes fits and starts. If you are attempting to create or innovate anything, you need to expect that there will be times of great apparent productivity and times when it appears that not much is happening. You need to accept that this is the nature of things, not unlike the seasons of the year. But there are some things you can do to work with this natural process so that you maximize your own creativity.
- Recognize that creativity cannot be commanded to appear. Any attempt to do so is likely to have an opposite effect. Any tendency to beat up on your self or call yourself names and the like also blocks creativity. Negative states of mind such as anger or fear also block the creative flow. So the first thing to do is to take an inventory of your state of mind. If you are engaging in any of the above do whatever you know how to do to stop engaging in those thought patterns. At the very least leave wherever you are and go to another chair or another room. Take at least 10 slow deep breaths and gently and compassionately acknowledge to yourself: “Oh this thinking pattern is not helping, I am going to do something different.”
- Another thinking block to creativity is the need to avoid being wrong. Creativity is a process that includes many “wrong” turns. However you cannot make the so called “right” turn until you have gone down a few blind alleys. Let go of the entire idea of “making a mistake”. Remember what Edison said every time that he found that some substance would not work as a filament for a light bulb. He said something on the order of: “Well I am one step closer to finding what I need.” Tell yourself, “This creative block is just one more step along the way of me getting to where I need to be.” We are use to a fast food culture. Some things take a while to percolate. It is called thinking. It is okay if you allow your mind to be a gourmet restaurant. No one has a 30-minute delivery guarantee on creative thought.
- You cannot command creativity, but you can attempt to activate it. If you are stuck in one area, access creativity from a different area. Take a break from the project you are working on and do something else that is creative. For instance, This spring I was not getting anywhere with some writing. So I took a break and worked in the garden arranging new plantings. After about 45 minutes of planting some ideas started to come to me and back I went to the writing project. What are creative outlets for you? Gardening, drawing, automotive mechanics, painting or woodcarving, playing an instrument, any thing that gets the creative juices flowing can kick start your creativity in the area that is blocked. Do that activity for at least an hour or until ideas sart to flow. Allow yourself to get involved in it. ( see #5 as well). Then go back to your project.
- Get up and do movement of any kind. I am not necessarily talking about exercise, although that is good too. I am talking about walking around, swing your arms, kick your feet, bend and twist. In fact, the more unusual the movement the better. After all you are trying to activate your creativity, so the more you move in novel ways the more likely you will activate your own muse of novelty.
- Ask your unconscious mind for help. German Chemist Hanz Keule was frustrated in his attempt to discover the structure of Benzene. He discovered the structure of the Benzene ring from a dream he had. There are a number of variations to activate the creativity of the unconscious mind. The most basic is to a 3 –step process: 1) Review the situation as you understand it, 2) Literally ask your unconscious mind for help to solve the problem by revealing something new or putting something together that you had not thought of or by giving you a new perspective, or by letting go of your assumptions. 3) Let it all go and do something else for a while (e.g. step 3 or 4) or for even longer periods such as a day or two. You can work on some other project. You can also go to sleep and ask for a dream. The trick is to completely distract your conscious mind from your usual way of thinking that may be blocking you. Then allow yourself to be open to whatever shows up. It does not matter if you are consciously aware of some epiphany. After a period of time go back to your original problem and start back in on it. Most of the time something new actually does show up.
Copywrite 2007 All rights reserved Robert Schwarz
Dr Robert Schwarz is a consultant coach and speaker. He is passionate about improving the performance of individuals and companies. With 25 years of experience as a businessman, psychologist, consultant and coach working with thousands of people, Bob brings a wealth of experience in improving human performance. His trainings are full of energy, humor and thought provoking content for immediate use and long-term sustainable growth.
He coaches, consults and presents trainings internationally on topics including, leadership, creativity and gender & gnerational communication differences, customer service, advanced approaches to stress management and work life balance to government agencies, businesses, and associations.
For more information or to E-mail Dr Schwarz you can go to at Bob@MarsVenusatWork.com or call 610-642-0884
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