Anyone in a creative role can attest, there are good and bad days. At times, inspiration strikes like lightning and the work circuits seamlessly through you. Conversely, some people experience a “creative block” almost like a wall holding back all your good ideas. Or at times, the task of starting your work can be so daunting, you’ll use any distraction to avoid it. There are many contributing factors to why we occasionally lose our creative oomph, but luckily, there are many remedies to reignite your right brain. Here are my top five ways to fend off creative complacency right out of the gates:
Once you’ve finished a piece, it’s the moment to step away, relax and turn it over to the person who asked for it. But before you do, I recommend you STOP and ask yourself … “Could it be better?” A conscious effort to pause and push your ideas could make the difference between good and great execution. With that, here are my go-to tricks for pushing ideas at various points throughout the creative process.
It’s important to distinguish between pushing and overthinking. Most creatives get paid by the hour, and efficiency is an ever-present, bothersome—but essential—part of the process to keep projects within budget and clients happy. If you know that you’re prone to overthinking, take the last bullets lightly, and focus more on collaboration. Overall, you simply want to ensure you take your time, allow the best ideas to surface and check your work.
Emily was managing editor of the national cable marketing magazine delight!, and previously managed marketing projects for top cable providers in the nation. Diverse writing experience, combined with exceptional organization and strategic planning skills, make Emily a key component of the content department. Emily holds a degree from UW-Oshkosh in journalism, with an emphasis in advertising/public relations.
