“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones.” – John Maynard Keynes
Sometimes, getting out of a creative block requires escaping from the gravitational pull of old ideas, other times it might require diving into them to get re-inspired. Below, we’ve shared a variety of perspectives, insights and advice on how to overcome creative blocks.
Kia Zomorrodi
The first step for me in overcoming a creativity block, is to plan for a creativity block. When we have important creative deadlines, I try to plan to have ideas days before they are due. That leaves a buffer for a creative block which happens on many, many occasions. I create a list of ideas that just pop up in my head. Read more>>
Cheri Lasher
When we are young, we begin playing with blocks, learning how to build, expand and create. We explore how to push our limits by adding that one extra block, either causing our creation to collapse, or to become even stronger. That’s where our newly-forming personalities take shape. Do we keep trying, throw a tantrum, or do we just give up and leave the room? Depending on our age, we probably did all three. Read more>>
David Barbeschi
Before, I’d simply pivot to another project. If you’re lacking inspiration with a script, you simply move to another one for which you have more enthusiasm. My problem with that approach is that it doesn’t work in the long run. I ended up with twelve unfinished scripts. All very nicely written, all incomplete. Read more>>
Katie Guiliano
When I founded Hosanna Revival in 2015, I hoped that design and artistry would stay a part of my role… forever. As businesses grow, it’s not uncommon for founders to step out of their skillset, and spend their time managing the business, rather than doing what it is that got them started in the first place. Gratefully, 9 years in, I’m still the lead product designer. Read more>>
Tresha Haefner
Many people have faced what they call “writers block” or a block in their creativity. What most people don’t know is that there are actually three kinds of writers block, and they all have different symptoms, causes, and solutions. Here are the three causes and solutions I’ll outline briefly. Read more>>
Martha Carter
I am creatively blocked all the time, or rather I procrastinate all the time on making creative choices for fear I’ll make the wrong one. I used to think this was a block, but I’ve come to find that this is me letting the ideas sit because they’re not quite ready for publication or the really good idea is behind the bad ideas that happen to be at the front of the cue. Read more>>
Taisha Andrews
Being a creator I get creativity block quite often. When this happens I just take a step back take some time off and relax my mind. I watch Inspiring video clips. Usually after a day or two that creative spark is back! Read more>>
Betty Nguyen, MD
Brandon and I have co-written over 25 children’s books together. I’ve also written more than 20 scientific papers in dermatology that are published in peer-reviewed journals. As authors, clinicians, and researchers, we both enjoy the process of writing, but we’ve found that getting started is often the hardest part. Read more>>
