5 Common Roadblocks to Getting into Creative Flow!!

5 Common Roadblocks to Getting into Creative Flow

You know the feeling. There’s a deadline looming, and your mind has gone
completely blank. Nothing, nada. It’s like your brain has frozen. Luckily the latest
research shows us the most common roadblocks to creativity, and how to move
past them and get on with the job.
1. Fear of failure
Most people are afraid of failing because they see it as a one-way street to disaster,
rejection, and a stain on their reputation forever. Perversely, fear of failure is the
mirror image of perfectionism. The idea that nothing you can do will be good
enough, and that this failure defines your identity.
Fear of failure means you’re less likely to take risks, and you put off even starting.
And those are two things that can kill creativity stone dead. Redefine creativity as a
series of experiments, with failure as a kind of course-correction and an inevitable
part of the process.
2. There’s not enough time
The ticking clock is another creativity killer. If you’re like most people, your schedule
is probably crammed, and you feel like you’ll never catch up. If your checklist just
keeps growing, you won’t be able to relax in the creative process and let the ideas
flow.
A surprising way to find more time is to quarantine some chillout time in your diary.
Priorities some downtime to listen to music, meditate, or just sit quietly. You’ll feel
much less stressed and open to the creative flow.
3. You’re still staring at the screen
Sitting at your desk, staring at the computer or the blank page is not a good way to
get creative. If you’ve been trying to write or problem-solve and it’s just not
happening, the best thing you can do is go for a walk or make a coffee. Get out of
the environment that’s keeping you stuck, get moving, and your mental gears can
disengage and relax enough to be ready when inspiration strikes.
4. You’re feeling negative

Negative thinking can stop creativity in its track. If you’re sitting there frowning, and
thinking you can’t do it, you’re pretty much guaranteeing that you won’t be able to
do it.
Pessimism and negative self-talk set up a vicious cycle of gloom and low energy.
Reject that self-defeating attitude and give yourself a pep talk. Reframe your task
and just promise yourself you’ll write down whatever comes into your head, just to
get the process started. Remember, first drafts are invariably not your best product,
because that’s what a first draft is for! You’ve done good work before, you’ll do it
again. Tell the muse you’re ready and get writing!