Blocked On Your Ideas? Try These Simple Tricks To Re-Stoke The Creative And Inventive Thought Process, By April Mitchell
I WAS recently asked in an interview where I get my ideas or how I come up with them. Do the ideas just come to me—you know, just pop into my head—or are there certain things I do to help generate the ideas?
The answer: both of the above.
Often, ideas do just come to me. This can happen after I spend some quiet time journaling or reading my Bible, or meditating. Other times, I have to work on coming up with ideas or practicing that process—like we do with exercising.
Here are some things I do to help generate ideas. Maybe one of them might work for you!
Walk away for a while
Being mentally “blocked” can also happen when I already have the main idea for an invention, design, or even an article. For example, if it’s a board game, I might have most things worked out but can’t seem to figure out one piece.
When this happens, I have learned not to push it. I stop focusing on that project or problem within the project. I set it down; I mentally walk away from it.
I may work on another project or idea, but whatever I do decide to work on does not have anything to do with that other problem.
I do, however, ask myself the question that needs to be sorted out before I go to bed. By doing this, I find that my subconscious mind
“works” on it for me. Then, at the oddest times, the answer just appears to me and I use it to figure out things and progress the project further.
Other times, it still may need more work or massaging—which is when other things can come into help.
Nature can nurture
I often feel very creative when in nature. I think this is because I am truly relaxed and calm. I am away from my office and computer, as well as the pressure that projects can sometimes create. I am breathing fresh air and taking in things.
Whether it is the beauty and serenity of the beach or the grandness of the mountains, I feel like I am where I am meant to be. The environment is so relaxing that I often find myself inspired to create.
Sitting in the same space inside all day does not help with my creativity. Daily outside time with its fresh air and sunshine is a must for me—so if I feel blocked, I go for a walk, to the beach or to the woods. Ideas often seem to replicate different shapes of nature or themes. I tend to “see” things or ideas in nature.
Surf for inspiration
Sometimes, we just need some inspiration. We need to see new things, touch new things, experience new things, talk about new things.
We need to smile and laugh—and learn about what is making others smile and laugh. We can do this by visiting different shops or parks, or even get inspired by things we see online.
I like to see what others are following, watching, sharing or talking about. What are the most popular videos online? What are the most popular shows or cartoons? What about songs or entertainers?
I like to look up trends or talking points. What is everyone wanting to put on their backpacks and pajamas? Could snails be the next llamas? Who knows? But you won’t know if you are not out there looking.
Lists can engage the mind
I am a list maker. From making daily and weekly to-do lists to making lists of words, an idea can spark from all kinds of things. Sometimes, I make a list of fun words. They may be fun to say, or maybe I make up words or combine words to make new ones. Or it could be a list of themes or trends, maybe even a list of items I haven’t seen new uses for, or items never used in a game before. When in doubt, list it out. This gets your brain going, thinking differently, and practicing.
Take the day off
Once in a great while, I completely take the day off. When there is no pressure to perform or create, it lets
our minds relax or wander. When that pressure is off, my mind says, “What about this?” or “How about something here?”
Maybe it’s a mind trick I play with myself, but I have recently realized that some of my best ideas come when I take the day off.