Overcoming Creative Lapses

December 19, 2010 By Aminda

Professional writers always have to be armed with an arsenal of strategies for overcoming creative lapses, known as writer’s block. Many of those strategies are easily applied to other functions like R&D. Here are a few ideas from the writer’s toolkit.

Take notes

Whether you prefer pen and paper or your smart phone, create a method to record ideas as they come — whether in the lab, in a seminar, on the bus or on a jog. They don’t have to be detailed or refined notes, just enough to shake your memory at a later time.

Periodically, take some time to review and reorganize your notes. You might see where more research is needed. And you never know when an old idea might inspire a new one.

Talk it out

Open innovation is all about working as a team so it’s no secret that talking out your problems with others can be valuable. But it can also help to let someone else talk about their challenge – getting your creative juices flowing in a different direction. And if you’re working alone? It may take some getting used to but record yourself rambling on about the problem so you can listen to it later.

Start in the middle

The opening scene of a book is the most important and therefore can be the most difficult to write. Often a novelist will have to start with an easier section to get the ideas flowing. Or they may spend some time working out how the book is going end in order to inspire the beginning.

With any challenging task, try looking at it from another direction and work backwards or sideways until you’ve come full circle and made connections. If you get stuck in a particular point and can’t come up with the perfect illustration or formula, try inserting a placeholder and move on until you can come back to that point.

Step away from the work

It’s easy to get completely absorbed in a project and lose track of time. However, sometimes taking a break is just what is needed to increase productivity. There are plenty of options: take a walk outside for some fresh air and a change of scenery, play a game or read an article that might provide inspiration or motivation, listen to music, take a quick nap, take a drive and listen to the monotone sound of the engine. Or just lie in the grass and gaze at the clouds.

Take care of yourself

Good health has been linked to optimal mind and body performance. Aerobic exercise sends oxygen to the brain. A balanced diet keeps energy levels stable. It’s said that water has a mentally cleansing and stimulating quality so a soak in the hot tub might help.

It’s also important to be aware of one’s mental state. Depression and anxiety can hinder creativity. Practicing positive thinking is a good creative habit as well.


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