Guest post by Randi Zimmerman. This article originally appeared on the Symphonic Blog.
If you’ve ever sat down to get some work done and been suddenly hit with a mental roadblock, this one’s for you. We all have moments where we feel uninspired no matter how hard we concentrate, and it can be frustrating when we can’t seem to find our way past it.
Luckily, there are many ways to boost creativity in a situation like this.
Being in the same environment every day can be great for personal productivity, but it can have you feeling stuck when it comes time to put your creativity to the test. A change of scenery can stimulate your senses and give your mind a mental break from your monotonous routine. Take in your surroundings. Smell the smells. People watch. Your brain will have to adjust to this new environment and respond in different ways than it did in your closed in office space. A simple change of scenery can work wonders.
For me, I feel my most creative when i’m surrounded by other creatives. Go out for coffee with your favorite creative friend. Talk about what you’re working on or how the coffee tastes like shit; any stimulating conversation has the potential to spark creativity. You never know if the person you end up talking to is an expert on what you’re working on or has some great ideas for you to bounce off of. Two brains are better than one.
Music is always a great tool to get your creative juices flowing.
Here’s a great creativity boosting playlist to get you started
Let the randomness flow. Whatever comes to your mind, jot it down. For example, if you’re writing a song about heartbreak, list whatever comes to mind when you think of the last time your heart was broken.
tissues
ice cream
anger
tears
freedom
comeback
#freekodak
Feel free to draw things, make lists, scroll through Pinterest for inspiration. You may spark an amazing idea from something seemingly random that came out of your brainstorm. No matter how irrelevant your thoughts may seem, creativity can come from anywhere. You never know what could come from letting your mind wander.
This seems counterproductive, but sometimes your lack is creativity can be made worse by being overwhelmed or simply tired. If you feel burnt out, take a break. Turn off your phone, turn off the lights, and let your eyes and mind rest for 30-45 minutes. Once you’re well rested, your brain will be ready to get back into action. Even if you don’t fully fall asleep, the mental break will do you good.
Feeling uninspired happens to the best of us. Don’t get too down on yourself, creativity comes in waves. The trick is to be ready to ride the wave when it finally comes.
Do you have any tips to boost creativity? Let us know in the comments!