Tips for Thawing your Creative Brain Freeze

Some brain freezes are good.
You know those Dairy Queen Butterfinger Blizzards, Sonic Cherry Limeades, ICEES…the list goes on and on. But, creative brain freezes are frustrating, stressful and leave you wondering how to rejuvenate your mojo.
If your inspiration is as dead as my garden of non-drought-friendly plants, here are a few tips on how to thaw out the old noggin’ and get the creative juices flowing again.

Thaw Your Creative Brain Freeze

1.  Set Time Limits: Communicators like creative freedom…who wouldn’t love to just brainstorm and “spitball” ideas all day long with no deadlines? Ironically, Mashable’s 12-Step Guide to Fostering Creativity says that creativity springs forth as a result of setting limits. Something about having a deadline can create that all-important spark (some call is stress, but to each his own). Set aside a specific amount of time per day to work on your creative project so you’re not distracted.
2. Talk With Friends: I’m not advocating spending hours discussing the cute Jon Hamm, or if you should take that trip to Disney World with your in-laws. Talking with friends about your latest project or your mental roadblock can shed a fresh perspective, even if that friend isn’t a the creative type. I’ve bounced ideas off one of my best friends, a software sales dynamo, for years and she always gives me excellent food for thought.
3. Create A Mood Board: I know this may sound wacky, but when all else fails, make a mood board.  Cut out photos of design, objects, words, fonts, anything that interests you, from magazines or the internet. Tap your inner 3rd grader and stick them all on a cork board or glue them on a piece of paper. You may just be able to establish a mood or overall direction for your project. Who has time, you ask? Your brain is frozen, you’ve got the time to try something new and daring to get your juices flowing again.
4. Soul Search: Let’s play a little armchair therapist here. Ask yourself:
   Why am I in this rut? Are you doing the same types of projects, taking the same approach or recommending the same darn business plan for all of your clients? Working in your comfort zone is safe, but can also be mind-numbing. Have the courage to take a hard look at your “tried and true” methods and then do the total opposite.

Is your brain is defrosting yet? Test out some of these tips and then go forth and create! Make you you stay tuned for an AWC announcement later this month for more ways to develop your inner creativity at our annual personal development conference, Get Smart taking place on October 21st.

Julie Hatfield is a Customer Development Specialist for Texas Gas Service.
Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons by ericskiff.