Beyond the block!
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”
– Scott Adams.
There is this situation that comes in every creator’s life – beginner or, experienced.
It is that moment when you are staring at a blank screen not knowing what to write about.
In the world of content creation, ideas are the currency and how innovative you are with those ideas is what will help you in your trade.
And in that world, if you get stuck for ideas, then it is near disaster.
This is what we call as the “creator’s block,”.
You know that feeling when you are at a crossroad and Google map suddenly stops working. You are not sure which way to go, what to do and how to come out of it.
Creator’s block is similar.
What is worse is that if you leave it the way it is, it has a tendency to push you to a point where you start hating yourself, hating the work you are doing and even questioning the very purpose with which you started.
Hence it is important that you address it in the beginning itself.
Addressing creator’s block at its onset is not just saving a single project but it is about preserving the very essence of your creative spirit.
Here’s why taking immediate action is imperative:
- Maintains Momentum: Like a river that must keep flowing to remain vibrant and alive, creativity thrives on momentum. An early response to blockages keeps the creative waters moving, ensuring that temporary hurdles don’t turn into permanent and unbreakable blocks.
- Preserves Confidence: The longer the block persists, the more it feeds on your confidence, leading to a vicious cycle where doubt begets more blockages. Tackling it head-on helps maintain self-assurance and the belief in your abilities.
- Ensures Consistency: For creators, particularly those with an audience, consistency isn’t just about keeping to a schedule; it’s about nurturing the trust and expectation you’ve built with your followers. Early intervention helps maintain this sacred relationship that you have with your followers.
Overcoming Creator’s Block:
In my content creation career spanning more than 17 years, I have faced this situation innumerable times. In fact, I have lost count of how many times it has happened.
So if you are showing similar signs, then be rest assured that you aren’t alone.
In fact, it is a good sign.
It shows that you have that art of being creative. If it wasn’t then there wouldn’t have been a creative block at all in the first place.
That was for some pep talk.
But in real world how do you fix this problem?
Over the years, I have derived my own ways of coming out of it. And over time you too will develop some of your own.
But for now, here are a few things that you can try. These have worked for me when I was starting off, so I am sure it will help you as well.
Change Your Workplace and Routines:
Sitting in the same place at the same workstation in front of the same computer can at times be monotonous. It can make you feel trapped.
Try working somewhere else, like a different room or a café.
A lot of times, when I am stuck, I just go out to a nearest cafe and stay there until evening.
By evening, I would have easily written at least 4-5 articles.
New places can give you new ideas.
In fact, it is the same with routines too.
If you have always been brainstorming and writing in the mornings, then just change it. Do it in the evening for a couple of days and you will find yourself slowly coming out of that creator’s block.
The new sights, sounds, and people around you can act as stimuli for new ideas and perspectives.
“Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.”
– Edward de Bono
Limit Distractions:
Content creation is an art that involves a lot of creativity.
And I find distractions severely hampering that.
If you want to get your creative juices flowing and get rid of the creator’s block, then create a workspace where distractions are minimized.
This might mean turning off your phone, using apps that block social media, or setting specific times for checking emails.
The goal is to create periods of uninterrupted time where your mind can wander freely and creatively.
Seek New:
Routine and familiarity are often the antitheses of creativity.
By stepping out of your comfort zone and exposing yourself to new experiences—whether it’s reading a book outside your usual genre, attending a workshop on an unfamiliar topic, or even exploring a new hobby—you open your mind to fresh ideas and concepts that can breathe new life into your work.
You might be surprised to know that a lot of my ideas come from listening to a True crime podcast or, listening to a mindfulness coach on Instagram.
Ideas necessarily need not come from your own niche or, genre.
After all creativity is about giving a spin to any idea that you come across, in such a way that it addresses your audience’s concerns.
Practice Mindfulness:
Sometimes, the barrier to creativity is not a lack of ideas but an overflow of them, coupled with the anxieties and pressures of daily life.
I have often found myself stuck for ideas after I read 10 different posts from LinkedIn creators on the same topic or, after watching a string of Instagram reels on the same topic.
I feel as if I am stuck with so many different perspectives, that I don’t know where to start and what to do.
The first thing I do in such situations is to limit the information intake.
The second is to practice mindfulness.
I am not a yoga person, but I like going for a walk or, going to the park and sitting in that bench in the corner doing nothing but listening to the chirping of the birds.
Mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, or simply spending quiet time in nature can help clear the mental clutter, making way for new, creative thoughts to emerge.
It’s about quieting the mind enough to hear the whispers of your creative voice.
Return to Your ‘Why’:
This has been my secret mantra to get out of a creator’s block.
My “Why” acts as my North Star.
Whenever I feel I am stuck, I take a look at my “why” – the reason why I started this journey. And I immediately get the energy to get back to work.
In moments of doubt, revisiting the reason you started can reignite your passion and drive.
Reflect on what drew you to your craft in the first place.
Was it the joy of storytelling, the thrill of sharing knowledge, or the desire to connect with others?
Reconnecting with your core motivations can provide a renewed sense of purpose and direction, propelling you through moments of stagnation.
Over to You:
Every creator’s journey is dotted with moments of doubt and blocks, but these aren’t stop signs; they are merely detours.
Embracing these challenges as part of the creative process allows us to find new ways of expression and understanding.
Overcoming creator’s block is less about fighting against it and more about learning to dance in the rain of uncertainty and discomfort. It’s in these moments of struggle that we often find our most profound insights and breakthroughs.
Remember, the goal isn’t to eradicate creator’s block entirely—that’s an unrealistic and unnecessary aim.
Like what I said, even after being in the content creation space, I still face a creator’s block.
So instead of trying to totally eliminate it, aim to develop resilience and strategies to navigate through it, ensuring that when it does occur, you’re equipped to acknowledge, address, and advance beyond it.
Take heart, lean into the discomfort, and let it shape you into a more versatile and resilient creator.
Remember, there is a more rewarding experience waiting for you on the other side of this temporary challenge!
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What am I reading?
I am currently reading “Feel good productivity” by Ali Abdaal.
I have been following Ali’s journey for quite some time now and to some extent, my focus on productivity was all triggered by his videos that I regularly watched.
I feel I am getting a little too much interested on the various aspects of productivity.
And after starting the book, “Feel Good Productivity”, I see a whole new perspective to it.
If you would like to check out some of the books that I have read in the past or, some that I have in my to-read list, you can find all of them on my Amazon page.
Go ahead and check it out!
You can check the book out here!
That’s it for this week!
Do let me know your thoughts, feedback, and opinions about this newsletter.
