You’re stuck. You need a creative solution, and it’s not coming to mind. You are at the edge of desperate to get “unblocked” and tap into that deep reservoir of ideas that you know are there, somewhere.
Welcome to the common experience of leadership!
Here are some practical ideas which have helped me in these situations:
- Don’t use your regular notebook. Get a bigger sheet of paper, or a smaller sheet of paper. Get a colored sheet of paper. Write on the paper in landscape view, instead of portrait view.
- Switch to a different pen. Use a different color marker on the whiteboard.
- Switch to a less familiar software application to capture ideas. Instead of sentences and paragraphs in Word, enter text strings into Excel. Try a mindmap.
- Set a timer for 5 minutes and doodle some sketches and cartoons.
- Get a cup of tea or coffee. Go someplace quiet and let your prayer/meditation time last as long as the cup.
- Move to a different room. Go to the library.
- Take a 2 minute stroll around the office area.
- Put on your headphones and crank a song you love. Twice. Three times. Let the emotional experience wash out whatever is blocking you.
- Take your shoes and socks off, let your toes wiggle in the carpet.
- Take a cold shower to shock your system.
- Drive a different way to or from your home.
- Lie down on your office floor and take a 10 minute nap.
- Pick up a book you have enjoyed, and leaf through it backwards.
- Do a web search for the exact opposite of your problem.
As you see, I have tried some wacky stuff to get through these blocks. I’m confident that something will work.
What has worked for you?
This is good stuff, Glenn. I usually read something that has nothing to do with what I am working on or I go look at God’s creation through walking around our neighborhood. I’m going to put your tips into action next time.
Thanks, Adam!
These are all great. The best thing I can do to get my mind going again is go for a run or do some kind of workout. That is what I’ve found to be the best time to conjure up ideas.