5 Ways to Battle Creative Blocks
What’s one of the worst things that can happen to you as a freelancer?
Besides a lull in contracts, it’s possibly a lull in creativity that can have you wondering why you gave up salaried work. Sometimes the work just doesn’t want to be finished, whether you write, design, code or do some other type of freelance work. You’ve tried exercises to get your creative juices flowing, but maybe the flow is just not coming. That’s when it’s time to battle your creative blocks.
Reasons for Creative Blocks
Before you can break a creative block, you need to be consciously aware of why they happen. Here are some of the reasons that I found, below.
- Stress.
- Health.
- Financial concerns.
- Preoccupation with non-work related issues.
- Lack of knowledge of a topic, or concern that you don’t know enough.
- Unclear on what you really want to say.
- Directionless: no plan for a specific piece of work.
Maybe you can think of other reasons that I might have missed.
5 Ways to Battle Creative Blocks
Most of the suggestions below are are written specifically for freelance writers, though some also apply–or can be extrapolated–for other types of freelancers.
- Brainstorm.
Brainstorm using a mind map. List as many reasons as you can about why you might be creatively blocked. Do not censor yourself, and worry about categories later. When you think you’ve listed all the reasons, cluster the ideas together with any logical/implied hierarchy. This will allow you to see related issues more clearly than if you use a linear list. You can also brainstorm a mind map about what you know about topic X, if you’re feeling that you’re not knowledgeable enough and that’s stopping you from writing. [See the section below for more about mind mapping.] - Read for inspiration.
We all have our favorite writers in a niche. Read those writers, get inspired. If you’re a designer or photographer, then view designs, images, websites, etc., for inspiration. Find what’s suitable to your type of freelancing and get inspired. Don’t be afraid to “cross-over” as well. Even writers get stimulated by visuals and vice versa. - Read topic-specific articles.
Read articles that cover the topics you’re trying to write about. Look at relevant diagrams, images, websites. Take notes about each article/item in a mind map. Record your own thoughts about each topic. Make a note about what you think needs to be expanded upon or was not even covered. Cluster these notes in your mind map if there’s any underlying hierarchy, and come up with a set of points that you can write about. You might even discover a series of articles in there. - Rewrite other work.
One method of creative block-breaking used by fiction writers is to take a portion of someone’s existing piece of work and to rewrite it in your own voice and style. You can do the same thing with other articles in your niche. The point is not to publish this work but to rather feel as if you have accomplished something by completing the exercise. You can do the same thing with logos, diagrams, website design or even code. - Make a journal entry.
If all else fails, maybe something is bothering you or even stressing you out? You might not even know it’s there, or have not admitted it to yourself. Go back to the mind map you created in tip #1 and check for possible sources of stress. It’s time to write about it. It can be in a personal journal or if you’re more daring, on your personal blog. Don’t hold back – write everything you’re feeling about this source of stress or anxiety. Until you release your thoughts on this topic, all other thoughts will likely be blocked. If necessary, you can even mind map this topic first, before writing your journal entry.
Repeat these steps several times, if necessary, until you succeed in breaking through your creative blocks. You might in fact have more than one block going on.
Final Thoughts
I can’t give you the reasons for your creative block, nor a specific solution. Each of us have our own unique combination of factors that build a creative block. You will have to find those reasons. However, you can try the methods listed above to break through creatively. Mind mapping tends to be especially effective.
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The thing I do that works 99% of the time when I have blank canvas syndrome is to step away from whatever it is and not think about the project at all. When I come back I usually have some ideas and just knock out concepts.
Doodling also helps
Great article! I think the most important thing to remember is that creativity is something that can be developed, as a skill. And that you sometimes need to ‘work’ on your creativity.
We also need to be able to leave behind our stress and worries and focus. It is easier said than done, of course, but it is possible.
For me the solution is almost always to just push myself away from my computer and get out into the real world. Seldom do my best design concepts ever come to me while sitting at my desk anyway.
I second what “Abethebabe” says.
I’m reading “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” right now (after hearing about its awesomeness for years), and I’ve actually just reached the part where the book deals with “stuckness” which is defined as a mental block of any type. One of the ways it mentions to deal with stuckness is that, once all obvious solutions and/or idea are exhausted, leave the problem behind and induce a state of mental calm (can be done by taking a break and distracting oneself with leisure activities). In this state of mental calm, interesting solutions will surface from your subconscious, often leaving you with a few new options before you even know it!
This approach has worked for me personally as well.
Reading really helps, the only problem is that sometimes later all you can imagine is pretty close to what you read. I was asked to draw some animal and all I could think of were monsters from the last terror novel I was reading LOL
What application is displayed in that second image?
http://freelanceswitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/snap-mindmap-sub-b.jpg
@Jeff
I agree. Sometimes we need to let our subconsciousness work while we do something completely unrelated. Like when we get ideas just as we’re going to bed.
Just need to have that pen and paper handy!
@Travis
I was just thinking that myself. Not knowing is contributing to reasons number 4 & 5 for Creative Block. If I don’t get an answer it will probably lead to number 1.
I’m fortunate in that I have talents in more than one area. And that can be quite helpful when creative blocks strike. For example, if the block is happening in design, well, I’m also a photographer. Time to go out and shoot something. But, if the photography’s where the problem is, hey, I’m also a writer. Time to break out the journal and pour my sorrows out on paper.
I go for a run or walk. It seems that when my brain is excused from functioning and put on the back burner, that’s when all the self-conscious doubts and self-editing disappears and ideas are just free to come. I get my best thinking done at the gym. It may also have to do with the fact that, unlike pissing away time with distractions at the computer, the influx of information ceases and my mind is free to wander of its own accord.
The thing to remember weather you are a designer or a writer, is that everyone has these blocks of creativity. It’s okay. It’s the way that you deal with them that matters. When I find myself lacking originality in my designs I need to look at other work that inspires me. I don’t copy, but I like to see what others have done and try to get my juices going. I, like many of you, have a bunch of sites in my favorites list. Why not go in there and start organizing it so that you can have a folder for “Inspirations”. When you feel blocked – go browsing through your folder and get inspired.
I don’t have this problem a lot, but when I do, I simply try not to try so hard. Like Jeff said, take a break and refresh. It all comes back to me.
@Travis,
That would be Mindjet MindManager (probably Pro 7)
I always found Oblique Strategies from Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt to be a big help. You can find a random one anytime on my homepage or at http://www.uner.com/resources/resources.html, but I recommend buying a deck from http://www.enoshop.co.uk/
I feel that doing just about anything works, but doing nothing never does. This article, as well as the comments are full of some really great ideas.
I’d add another reason to your list: fear. Fear of critique, rejection, disagreement.
Great suggestions for overcoming the block, though. I think I’ll go work on some of them…
@Stéphane
Thanks. Shame MindManager is a PC only app and so damn expensive. Back to the good ‘ol pen and paper.
I stand corrected, there is a Mac version:
http://www.mindjet.com/
…but it’s still far too expensive
I’m an artist and I find that the number one reason for a block (not the kind when you stare at the blank page, but the kind that makes you work very slowly and hate every minute of it ) is disliking the idea or theme behind the work. If I don’t believe in them, it will show on the finished piece.
I am not an artise but I try to develop this skill,whay leads to block is working when one is stressed and not be sure of what one is doing.Betty
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