Overcome Roadblocks to the Creative Flow

“Great things are not done by impulse, but a series of small things brought together.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Creativity may come more naturally to some more than others, but we are all creative in some way. Being creative is about shedding inhibitions and seeking your inner voice. In that sense, awakening your own creativity is similar to the path reported by those who seek spiritual enlightenment. You’re already enlightened, just like you’re already creative, you simply need to nurture it.

But sometimes we just hit roadblocks. You know the feeling: There’s a deadline looming, and your mind has gone completely blank. But we can move past roadblocks to creativity and get on with the tasks at hand.

Fear of failure

Most people are afraid of failing because they see it as a one-way street to disaster or rejection. Fear of failure means you’re less likely to take risks, and you put off even starting. Creativity takes the willingness to try and fail before becoming good. A key is to redefine creativity as a series of experiments, with failure as a kind of course-correction and an inevitable part of the process.

Not enough time

The ticking clock is another creativity killer. If you’re like most people, your schedule is probably crammed, and if your to-do list keeps growing, you won’t be able to relax in the creative process and let the ideas flow. A surprising way to find more time is to take some time to relax. Prioritize time to listen to music, meditate, or just sit quietly. You’ll feel much less stressed and open to the creative flow.

Pushing too hard

A looming deadline can be enough to cause you to have a panic attack. But true creativity can’t always be rushed. Don’t be tempted to force it. If you’ve been trying to write or problem-solve and it’s just not happening, the best thing you can do is take a break or go for a walk. Get out of the environment that’s keeping you stuck – get moving and your mental gears can disengage and relax enough to be ready when inspiration strikes.

Negativity

Pessimism and negative self-talk set up a vicious cycle of gloom and low energy. Reject that self-defeating attitude and give yourself a pep talk. Part of the creative process is the ability to stretch outside of your normal day-to-day thoughts. Reframe your task and promise yourself you’ll write down whatever comes into your head, just to get the process started. Remember, first attempts or first drafts are not always your best work. You’ve done good work before and you’ll do it again.

Comparison procrastination

Comparison procrastination is where you start working on something, then look at what someone else is doing and suddenly you want to change things – and then you feel like you need to scrap everything and start over again. Stop comparing yourself to others – don’t let comparison cause procrastination. Stick with and trust your own plan.

Don’t allow mental roadblocks stifle your creativity. When resistance to moving forward arises, take a minute to think about what’s really going on. Recognize the roadblocks and be determined to push through them.

Check out these resources to boost creativity:

5 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Your Creativity

33 Surprising Ways to Boost Creativity for Free

17 Ways to Develop Your Creativity

At the Arise Society, we help young adults that are struggling with anxiety, depression, gaming and other motivational issues. We provide personalized academic, therapeutic, and social support in a real-world setting, which gives our students the skills to reach their fullest potential.