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Head stuck in the mud? Brain void of all creative juices?

We’ve all been there.

Clients sometimes ask us how to jumpstart creativity. We’re definitely not experts here … we all struggle with this. But some of us have put together a short list of ways we have tried to get back on the road to creativity. 

1. Put down whatever you are working on for a minute. Walk around, think about something else. -Ben

2. I go to Barnes & Noble and look at book covers for inspiration. Do they catch my eye? Do they make me want to look away? Do they have anything to do with the title? Would I buy it just for the cover?

Or I go to the antique store and try to imagine the story behind an item that catches my eye. How old is that bookshelf? Did a lawyer own it? When did he buy it? Did he make it? I wonder what books were in there? -Lindsay

3. "Randomize Your Rituals." I heard this once from a presentation made by Leonard Sweet at a conference. He said, "whenever I fly, I go to the news stand at the Airport, and I blindly grab three magazines (staying away from the top shelf/adult magazines). Then, once on the plane, I turn page by page and draw new inspiration from unfamiliar topics, designs, photography." So, I have taken to this as well. I add in a Sharpie and I circle like crazy, visually committing to those things that are new to me.

Another ... I go shopping. I get out into a mall or marketplace and I see how things are being communicated, presented, pitched and sold. Seeing the latest in consumer products and retail marketing jumpstarts my thought process on how to present information in new ways. - Evan

4. Change positions and locations. We’ve all heard that going outside for a walk can bring fresh insights … because it’s true! But the weird twist I’d add is that for me, a change in position helps, too. Sometimes I’ll go outside and lie down in the grass, close my eyes or just look up at the sky. Or, even stand on my head. Yep, an actual headstand. Not sure if it’s the blood rushing to my brain or what, but it works. 

5. Take a 24-hour to 48-hour break and then come back completely fresh. Open a new document and write the worst thing you could think to write about that topic. Sometimes getting out a bunch of bad or wrong words helps me think about better words or a better approach for what I was originally trying to write. Get your writing 80% of the way there. Then ask someone else to give their input/edits to help you cross the finish line. -Leah

What do you do to get the creative juices back? We’d love to hear!