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One of the required skills of business ownership is creativity. For some, that may mean creative in the artistic sense, but for all it means creative problem solving, creative financing or creative views of what is and what is not.
We all need various forms of creativity to enhance our lives, market our businesses and, in some cases, survive. But, we all get stuck in deep, non-creative ruts from time to time as well. So, how do you get yourself out of that rut and back into a creative point of view.
For me, it’s nature, or at least a walk in nearby Loose Park. Loose Park is one of Kansas City’s most beautiful parks. The park is home to a lake, picnic areas and a fabulous rose garden. The park was part of a golf course in the 1920s and the gentle rolling terrain is easily identified as such.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt like I couldn’t write another word on this blog and then gone out and done a lap around the park only to find myself, once again, chomping at the bit to write.
Having a surefire way to get unstuck is a necessary small business skill.
So, how do you get unstuck?
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This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 at Oct 09, 07 | 4:20 am and is filed under Vision. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
It’s amazing how something so far from the project can bring it into a clearer light.
John, for me it is nature, not in the way that you described. I’m a big mountain biker. So when I need a break I go out and thrash on the trail, often ending up with trail rash. I makes for an interesting conversation with clients when I have cuts and bruises allover my arms, but it works.
One thing that can really help to get out of a creative rut to is read a blog post on on how to get out of a creative rut. Another thing that helps me get out of a creative rut is finding someone else who is creative, and then brainstorm some stupid funny ideas to whatever the problem is that I’m trying to solve. Usually a somewhat practical idea can be birthed by something off-the-wall.
Chris,
I agree - it’s just that it’s a 10 hour drive to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Kevin,
Great additions to the mix - listening to really downer Jackson Browne songs (especially the early stuff)seems to help me too.
First, it’s important to distinguish whether you think you’re in a rut because you don’t feel like being creative, or because you actually can’t be creative anymore. If everyone waited until they felt creative to be creative, I bet we’d have 80% fewer great ideas and books. So the first step is to start writing/brainstorming where you are, in that grouchy, uncreative-feeling place. When you’ve written until your hand falls off–without letting the critical side of yourself get a word in–then you can go take that walk. Napping works, too. The other tip for breaking through a block is to break. Stop trying to power through your days and weeks. You think you’re accomplishing more, but you need to feed those other parts of yourself, too. I’m always most creative & enthusiastic when I’ve allowed myself to recharge.
Kelly,
You are so right - many times I simply start writing crap and eventually I get into the flow - sometimes even deleting most of what I’ve written.
When I lived in KC I went to Loose Park as well. Beautiful and peaceful. Now, I go to a local park and go hiking for a few hours or running.
My daily walk usually provides me with relaxation, great clarity and inspiration! I know exactly what you mean John.
Whatever you do, wherever you do it, downtime is of critical importance to successful uptime.
What a great reminder to unhook from the computer and step outside when the thoughts or words just aren’t flowing. I head outside at least 3 times a day to clear my head and get moving. Thanks for reminding us John what an important skill creativity is. I think many business owners don’t realize this.
Walking is great for jogging things loose (sorry! pun alert!); the more stuck, the longer the walk.
A long drive will also do wonders, but I feel way too guilty to burn fuel for that anymore.
I also find any repetitive physical task can do the trick, and sometimes I feel too pressured to take a “pure” break, so I shift my activity to a manual, useful one: cleaning, washing dishes, taking out the trash, etc.
Sometimes, it’s about shifting the action. As David Allen says, the ninja skill for dealing with procrastination (a form of stuck-ness) is to procrastinate usefully.
I love that David Allen line - I’m going to have to creatively emulate that somewhere!
Hello John,
The usual place where ideas start to shower down on me is ..well…in the shower. Today, however, as I was walking our rather large Airedale Terrier, I came up with 2 significant ideas that will help me get to the next level in my growing business….
Actually, the ideas CAME TO ME.
Joel Libava
Cleveland, Ohio
The Franchise King Blog
Often, I feel I do not have a control over my brain, and those are the moments I lose my creativity. Definitely, it helps to change the scenery, and I go to a cafe, get a latte and sit there for a while. Another thing is telling my brain that whatever efforts it made in the past is a sunk cost, so it should start from the scratch. I find many cases, I am stuck because I am fixated on whatever efforts I made in the past that did not work. So telling myself that it was a sunk cost usually helps to get myself up and fresh.
this is my second year in business,i could use some wisdom myself
always type your email right
One of the things I like to do is indulge in some form of simple “artwork.” Anything from painting ceramics to coloring in a coloring book to doodling. Having the hands busy and the mind quiet while playing with colors and textures is not only relaxing, but quite recharging.