Brain Fog During Your Brain Storm? How to Shift the Forecast
It often seems like the creative juices are a constant stream, or we are staring blankly at a screen, feeling trapped- our brainstorming session feeling like a light drizzle than a downpour. It’s frustrating, but natural- for all creatives, there will be some days you are questioning whether you’re in the right field when a new and exciting idea just is not coming to you. I’m here to share my strategies for weathering the storm and cultivating fresh ideas.
There are many reasons why creatives get stuck, whether it’s overthinking, having too many directions to go in, fatigue, etc. The good news: it’s normal- I’m sure even Leonardo da Vinci had some days where his paintbrush was stuck staring at a blank canvas. This is where we have to embrace the drought and think back to what has, and has not worked for us in the past- the beauty of learning!
Strategies to Get Unstuck
Here are some of the strategies I use to unlock my creative brain
Change Your Environment & Turn Up the Music: we hear it all the time, but stepping outside for some fresh air really does hit the reset button. Even if it’s just 15-20 minutes, when I need to just turn off the internal noise, I take a walk around my neighborhood, put my headphones on, and put on FUN music. I find when I turn on pure, dance pop, it stimulates my thinking and starts getting me motivated to hit the ground running when I get back to my desk.
Do the Complete Opposite of What You’re Supposed to: Hear me out- when we are stuck on a specific concept or assignment and the ideas just aren’t there, forcing yourself to continue spinning is a time suck. When this happens, I shift my focus to a completely unrelated task. For example, if I am working on a creative project for a B2C client like developing a new campaign concept and it’s just not coming to me, I will switch gears to a different industry and task, like pivoting to putting invoices together for a real estate client. When we are still working, but not forcing it, you’d be surprised how ideas will just come to be after our creative brain has time to rest.
Pop Culture Prompts: If you’re struggling to develop a new campaign concept, a design, or social media series, take a few minutes to think of stories that can relate to your task. Are there any upcoming pop culture events that could relate to your subject at hand? What movies or books remind you of your product? Just start writing these things down.
Use Prompts or Constraints: Flip the problem, impose limits, or brainstorm the “worst” solution
Just Start Writing: Grab your notebook (not your keyboard or phone) and just start writing any ideas, words, thoughts that come to mind for 30-45 minutes. Try not to put too much thought in and just put on paper what is coming to mind. See what you’ve come up with at the end and if it prompts your next move.
Creator’s block is frustrating, but these ruts aren’t permanent. Trial and error is all a part of the process, and these moments give us a chance to hit the reset button. Even if you’re in a drought right now, the next brainstorm could be the one where lightning strikes.