Here’s How I Bust Through Creative Blocks, As Seen in American Airlines Magazine

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.”

Psst: Find more awesome quotes on creativity at the end of this post!

This month I had the chance to talk to American Airline’s magazine about something that is an essential component of success at both work and play: creativity and overcoming creative blocks. Thinking creatively is an art, a skill and a practice that is often much easier said than done.  Who among us doesn’t want to be able to think more creatively? Who doesn’t want to create?

To create means to bring something into existence, to cause something to happen as a result of one’s actions. That, my friends, is how success and progress happen. That is how problems get solved.  That is how your best life transforms from a fantasy to a reality.

Your creativity capacity determines much about the quality of your life and how much/how quickly it flourishes.  But let’s be real, it can be really difficult to tap into it when you are spinning too many plates, your to-do list is longer than a child’s Christmas wish list and your brain feels fried. Nevertheless, it matters, it really does! That’s why I was so happy to share my insight with the scores of people flying American this month, and it’s why I’m going to share two of my personal approaches to busting through blocks and getting my creative juices flowing that I use nearly every day! Check them out below!

TIP #1 One of the most powerful ways to boost creativity is to work on living in the present.

Sound crazy? Let’s think it through: most of us only allow half (at most) of our brain to be present at any given moment.  The rest of it is thinking ahead worrying or planning the future, or it’s dwelling in the past.  Both of these types of thinking rob us of all the amazing moments, sensations, discoveries and lessons that are happening all around us at any given moment.  By introducing the practice of present moment awareness into our own lives, we’re opening ourselves up to untapped resources and ideas that surround us daily.  Pause, slow down, be present, really take in what you see and hear and what the people around you are saying.  In those moments some of your most powerful creative ideas will be born.

TIP #2 Want to bus through creative blocks? Leave your desk. Or wherever else you spend most of your time thinking.

While some profess their most creative moments happen in the shower, I know mine happen when I’m on my daily walks or chopping vegetables for dinner.  It’s rare that you’ll find someone say that they broke through a creative block while staring at their computer. Breakaway, even if it means a walk around the office or home.  Don’t force yourself to think about the tasks that you want to get creative about, just let your thoughts wander where it will and work without pressure.  Trust me, that’s when it comes up with its best stuff!

Now for some bonus creativity boosting via my favorite quotes on the subject! Tweet your favorites and spread the creative love!

 

To live a creative life we must lose our fear of being wrong. - Joseph Chilton Pierce Click To Tweet

 

You can't use up creativity, the more you use, the more you have. - May Angelou Click To Tweet

 

Creativity takes courage. - Henri Matisse Click To Tweet

 

If you can dream it, you can do it . - Walt Disney Click To Tweet

 

Wanderer, there is no road, the road is made by walking. Click To Tweet

YOUR TURN

How to you get through momentary creative blocks? Share your tips in the comments below!