🫠 When Your Creativity Hits A Brick Wall

Good morning.

When I started this newsletter, my first goal was to write 100 issues.

Well, cue the Bon Jovi because, whoa, we’re halfway there.

Let’s get into it.

— Gordon

Everyday Insights 👀
Keeping you in the know

• Why it’s time to hire an influencer marketing manager [Sprout Social]

• Instagram Tests Text Overlays and Image Formatting Within Carousel Posts [Social Media Today]

• Instagram Clarifies Advice on Single Word CTAs and Longer Reels [Social Media Today]

I hit a massive mental block a few weeks ago.

My head feels completely full. I can barely form thoughts.

I can even feel it on my shoulders like a backpack of bricks.

I’ve tried numerous things to break through and have found little relief.

Until this past weekend.

I sat down in a “reading chair” I set up on our front porch this spring.

The sun was shining, and the breeze was flowing through the windows.

I put in my AirPods Pro and opened a playlist I hadn’t listened to in a while.

I knew it had the kind of music that just might help me find my flow state.

For that hour, it worked. I was relaxed, inspired, and getting shit done.

Going for a walk, playing a game, or working on a different project can usually lead to a breakthrough. In some cases, like mine, it isn’t enough.

When you stay stuck in familiar surroundings, it limits your inspiration.

When your creativity hits a brick wall, it may be time for a change of venue.

Changing your work environment can help break through creative blocks.

By exploring new environments, you can rejuvenate your creative process and rediscover your flow state.

HERE’S HOW:

• Explore different locations

• Add nature into your routine

• Rearrange your current space

Let's get into it.

Tip 1: Explore different locations 🧭

Visiting new places can trigger fresh ideas and perspectives.

Try working from a café with chill vibes or a co-working space full of entrepreneurial spirit. These environments offer different sights, sounds, and interactions that can inspire creativity.

Even just the novelty of a new location can help your mind break free from repetitive thought patterns and lead to innovative ideas.

Tip 2: Add nature into your routine 🌻

Nature has a calming and rejuvenating effect that enhances creativity.

Spend time outdoors, whether it’s a walk in the park or through a historic neighborhood, a quick lunch at the beach (I wish), or an afternoon exploring a different hiking trail. The natural surroundings can clear your mind and reduce stress, making it easier to think creatively.

Regular exposure to nature can also improve your mood and energy levels, contributing to a more productive creative process.

Tip 3: Rearrange your current space 🛋️

Even small changes in your usual environment can make a big difference.

Reorganize your workspace by moving furniture, adding plants (for more nature vibes), or changing the lighting. A refreshed space can make you feel more motivated and inspired. My favorite YouTuber, Peter McKinnon, talks about this a lot on his channel.

Experiment with different layouts and designs to find what stimulates your creativity the most.

Being more in tune with what sparks creativity in you will help you break through blocks faster and maintain consistency over long periods of time.

For me, it used to be Saturday mornings at the dining room table, just me, my MacBook, a cup of coffee, and nothing else planned that day.

At some point, though, that no longer worked, and it was time for something new.

Here are a couple of other shifts I plan to make to get things flowing again.

First, it’s time to get back to running.

Something about that type of cardiovascular exercise and the increased pace of movement unlocks my flow state, and it always has.

I’ve been going for the same 1.6-mile walk in my neighborhood almost every day for four years now. It has been key for my productivity, mental health, and exercise. The problem is that it is no longer helping productivity or with these creativity blocks.

Second, I will increase the quality of my input.

When it comes to data, it’s garbage in, garbage out.

I intend to invest more time reading through this business book library I’ve built over the years and complete a few more courses I’ve invested in.

It’s not just about the inputs, though.

It’s about how you’re implementing the knowledge and wisdom gained.

My plan is to take on my first handful of consulting clients to reconnect to the knowledge already in my head and help some folks grow their businesses and their brands in the process.

If you’ve made it this far, what’s your go-to venue for doing creative work?

ONWARD TOGETHER.

My Favorite Things 💙
What I’m reading, watching, and studying

1. Playlist: I wrote today’s newsletter to the Big Desk Energy playlist. 24 hours of jams to unlock your creative flow state.

2. YouTube: Watch another banger from Nicholas Cole, The Best Digital Writing Platforms To Build An Audience In 2024. If you decide to begin writing content to build an audience for your personal brand or business, this video is a must-watch. Almost spit out my coffee at the blog punchline.

3. Podcast: Listened to another episode of Founder’s Journal this week and learned some new terms, including hiring “barrels” and “intellectual maze.” Check out How to Identify Top 1% Talent.