Overcoming Creative Blocks -- How Do You Do it?
 

It's been about 2 months and I have not been able to get my creative wheels turning for two projects I am working on. Before the holidays I was an idea factory, but now, nothing.

What do you all do to get your mojo back? Brainstorm with others? Meditate? What?

Drugs and alcohol used to work for people I know. :D

Revisit your ideas to date on the projects. Sparks have to begin somewhere....

The projects are done as far as the development goes (been working on them for 2 years). It's a marketing initiative now and probably not as much a creative issue as "How to Proceed" now issue.

Night out on the town, bar to bar. Bring a pencil and pad. Seriously, you wouldn't believe how many good papers have come out of that method...

What sort of projects are they?

I don't do creative.

Maybe try getting high?:D

Has this happened before?

Sudden rush of ideas in a short period and then nothing for a much longer one?

If so that's an indication that you go at it too hard in the productive periods and you need to take a rest!

an impending deadline always helps.;)

@tbomachines: Night out on the town, bar to bar. Bring a pencil and pad. Seriously, you wouldn't believe how many good papers have come out of that method.. |
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I do coffee shops and it helps but I keep regurgitating the same old stuff.


@Fulcrum: What sort of projects are they?
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One is a very localized retailer daily deal advertising product. Developed and successfully tested w/merchants last year. Now preparing for a larger marketing push. The other is, again, a localized matchmaking service that actually meets and verifies every member. The web technicals are done; some trial members are online; the pitch to additional members is what’s being developed.


Hatterasguy: Maybe try getting high?
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Cannabis is proven to be a creativity booster. Just ask Sean Paul, Shaggy, Snoop Dogg, etc. But seriously, I did a project with a local high school class about 10 years ago where they had to come up with a marketing plan for an electronic currency. All the kids did good work but one was especially on the mark, to ythe point, and even humorous. The teacher later told me he was a stoner. I told her his brilliant work made me want to go out and get high right then.

@Army: Sudden rush of ideas in a short period and then nothing for a much longer one? If so that's an indication that you go at it too hard in the productive periods and you need to take a rest!
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I’ve been resting for 2 months. But it is possible I simply have run out of ideas, have everything I need, and simply need to assemble them into something workable.


@t walgamuth: an impending deadline always helps.
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Interesting you should say that. A contract assignment I am working on will expire in May and renewal, I discovered, yesterday, I is unlikely. There is my deadline.

I once attended an all day sale seminar in Long Beach, CA. The motivational speaker said something I've never forgotten: I hear people say; "I do my best work under the pressure of a time deadline." The fact is; "you do your ONLY work when under pressure."

sit down with 5 pieces of paper and a pencil. draw, no matter how bad, 5 concepts. if you can only think of 2 or three, draw 5 anyway no matter how crazy. the crazy ones will spark a not so crazy idea and lead you down a different path, the first few are just to get the run of the mill ideas out of your head

As crazy as it sounds, I get a lot on inspiration in the shower. I've come up with many creative solutions and inventions that way. I don't think you can just "invoke" creativity because I find that I have to be totally thinking about something else when inspiration comes.

We used to say 'Throw it out there and see what sticks'.

Try and find a group of people who have been in your shoes and discover what they threw and what stuck.

See if there is a group in your area known as SCORE, the Service Corp of Retired Executives. Their service is free, and they have all been there and done that.

Are you just a little bored with it all?

It sounds that way to me - no offense meant!