Even the most creative people fall into a rut sometimes, it’s perfectly normal!
But what if your job is to write and be creative or you really need to get next week’s blog post out for your company, and your brain just isn’t in it?
Here are a few tricks to get the creative juices flowing and inspire your work when you’re stuck.
Is Your Cursor Taunting You on Your Blank Document?
Now, this might seem counter-intuitive when you really need to get something done, but staring at that blank Word Doc is not helping spark creativity. Studies show you’re more productive if you take a step away from your work every now and again.
Get up, take a walk, eat a snack, make some coffee, play with your dog. Do whatever it is you need to do to clear your head and stop thinking about what you need to write. This is often when inspiration strikes.
Is That Ticking Clock Driving You Crazy?
Turn on some background noise to help drown out the small, distracting noises of your workspace so you can focus.
If music is your go-to, find a playlist or an artist that really pumps you up or clears your head. I listen to Lindsey Stirling when I really need to buckle down and focus because there are no words for me to get distracted by but the music is still energetic.
Sometimes quietly playing a show on TV that you’ve seen too many times or a white noise machine can do the trick too.
Try out a few options to see what really works for you.
Can’t Think of a New Topic to Write About?
Sometimes you don’t need to think of a new topic! What an easy answer, right?
We love repurposing content for when you’re tight on time or just can’t think of anything new to say. Check out our great blog on repurposing content to find out how to do it strategically.
Reading existing content can also spark new ideas for your writing. Look for topics that have changed a lot in your industry and write a new piece talking about how it has changed.
Take a deeper dive into content that you created that was a high-level overview. It’s okay to get technical in some of your blogs or take a really in-depth look at a topic that you’re interested in.
Do You Have the Luxury of Taking an Extended Break?
If you are really stuck and none of these other options seem like they’ll do the trick or you’ve already tried them, walk away for a full 24 hours. You’d be amazed at what a little quality time apart from your work can do.
If you know that you have time to complete the project, don’t put pressure on yourself to immediately get it done and done perfectly. That’s often how creative blocks start in the first place.
Falling into a creative rut is undoubtedly frustrating, but it’s not impossible to climb out of it. Clear your head, take a break, and don’t panic if you’re having a hard time writing.
If you are constantly struggling to think of new ideas and create content, consider partnering with an agency to help take the burden off of you.
Thanks for stopping by,
Laura
Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in April 2019 and has been edited and updated in March 2022.