Breaking The Creative Block: 7 Proven Strategies To Get Unstuck
Creative block—the nemesis of every entrepreneur and creative professional.
That frustrating moment when ideas refuse to flow, and every decision feels overwhelming. At Purposefully Selected, we understand the unique challenges of building processes and systems while maintaining creativity. Here’s are a few steps we take to help break through that block and move forward with clarity and confidence.
1. Identify Your Peak Creative Hours
Knowing yourself is key. Are you most creative in the morning, after lunch, or late at night? Build your creative work sessions around these times to maximize productivity. Pair this with environments that inspire you—a park, a beach, or even a quiet coffee shop.
2. Change Your Surroundings
We can reset our mindset when we reset our surroundings. If working in the same spot for hours (or even days) has slowed your creative juices to a drip, try moving to a location that sparks creativity. Find a quiet park, coffee shop, or collaborative creative space to change things up. There is a time to plug yourself in at a desk and a time to plant yourself in nature.
3. Go on a Creative Walk
Something intrinsically simple, but surprisingly powerful. Science backs this strategy because physical movement boosts creativity. When your heart rate climbs above 100 beats per minute, your brain becomes more engaged, ideas flow more freely, and memory retention improves. Grab a partner—whether it’s your spouse, business partner, or friend—and take a brisk walk. Use this time to discuss ideas out loud and simply let your thoughts wander and flow. This strategy is helpful for both the audible thinkers and internal processors.
Pro Tip: Record your conversation using your phone or a recording device to provide you with an audible documentation to review.
4. Enjoy Healthy Snacks & Hydration
Your brain is your creative powerhouse—take care of your brain. Drinking water and consuming the proper nutrition will enhance your creativity. Foods high in protein, antioxidants, magnesium, and B Vitamins can help with focus, improve energy, and alleviate stress. Trail mixes with nuts, berries, and dark chocolate are a great snack to provide energy while satisfying the creative munchies. Sadly, the main fuel of creatives (coffee) can dehydrate you and leave you in a mental fog. Start small and try replacing one cup of coffee with a tea-based beverage or flavor-infused water. Your brain will thank you!
5. Incorporate Play
Creativity and play go hand-in-hand. If you want to break out of a creative block, break out a playful activity. Modeling clay, puzzles, building blocks, coloring books, various crafting activities all play a role in stimulating creativity. Play is a guaranteed method for activating your creativity by allowing ideas to flow freely and without pressure.
6. Collaborate with Mentors & Peers
Don’t go it alone. Seek advice from mentors, colleagues, or experienced entrepreneurs. Invite them for coffee or lunch, share your notes, and ask for feedback. Questions like “What would you do differently if you were starting again?” or “What events, books, or connections helped you grow?” can yield valuable insights to accelerate your progress. These interactions can help bring new perspectives and spark new ideas.
7. Sleep On It
Sometimes, the best ideas emerge after rest. Step away from your project and revisit it after a good night’s sleep or a weekend getaway. Distance gives you perspective and fresh energy to tackle challenges.
At Purposefully Selected, these steps have consistently helped our team overcome mental fatigue and creative slumps, and we’re confident they can do the same for you. Whether you’re tackling a big project or seeking fresh inspiration, we hope these strategies bring clarity, confidence, and a renewed creative spark!
Do you have a strategy that works for you? Share in the comments to inspire fellow readers to break through their creative barriers!
