Anyone who has tried any “creativeness” for a longer time has sooner or later come across the difficulty to come up with new ideas.
There is a simple reason to this.
We are stuck!
Yes, I know you know that too. But let me explain. Most of us don’t realize what stuck really is and what we can do about it.
What does being stuck mean?
That you are not getting anywhere
You are attached to a place
Something is holding you back
You feel like you are in a prison
So, what to do about it?
Nothing!
…?
In a certain perspective, that is absolutely the best you can do.
Have you ever dug a hole in the ground? Have you ever tried to make the hole smaller by digging more?
No, that would be a little silly wouldn’t it? But when it comes to being stuck, this is exactly what many do. We keep digging at the same problem.
Being attached to something (being stuck) really means we are very rigid in our thinking. “It has to be done ONLY this way!”
We have run into a dead end but we still fight on, not being open to new perspectives.
Change your focus (mind).
I used to work with dogs extensively a few years ago. I soon learned that dogs are very focused creatures but you can easily make them snap out of almost anything if you know how. The trick is to not continue the “pattern” they are in. For example, if they are in a fight, the best way to get them separated is to distract them with a completely different energy.
Jumping in with violence, trying to separate them creates a bigger problem; they get more upset and you can get bitten badly.
But most of try to change by repeating the same thing. We don’t realize we are just feeding the problem; we continue to dig in the same direction. We try to solve things by continuing in the same direction that got us stuck in the first place.
What you need, is a new angle, a new perspective. You need to slap yourself out of your pattern. If you are really stuck, why continue that path? The path is closed for now. Take another path.
This does not mean you abandon your project, you just don’t continue to do what you are doing for now in the same way. You try something else with the same goal in mind.
You know, if the car breaks down you can take the bus, bike, call a taxi, ask a friend for a ride, repair the car or walk. Or you can just complain about the car which will only result in feeling more stuck.
Ask yourself
“What is another way I can do this?”
Be an integral creator.
Realize the path is not set. You might have a map with a destination in mind, but the map only shows you the possibilities how to get there. You can interpret the map in many ways.
Look at your creativeness in more ways than one. For example:
Let’s say you try to write a play and you are stuck and this frustrates you. Sometimes it is true that if you just keep on working it will help, but maybe this is what you always do? Try another way.
Think about these questions (perspectives)
- Do you always work alone?
- Do you always work in the same room?
- Do you get enough sleep?
- Do you get enough water and air?
- Are you moving your body?
- Do you meet enough people?
- Do you get enough enjoyment in your life?
- Do you eat regularly?
- Do you get inspired by books, teachers and friends regularly?
- Do you try other ways to create?
Just working harder I also refer to as: TORTURE!
Of course if you have never tried working a little I would say that is the perspective you are missing.
Wheel of life
Think of your life as a wheel and that the different areas of your life are the spokes. All the spokes of the wheel need to be healthy and strong in order for the wheel to function properly. If you only have one developed spoke (for example your writing skill), your wheel of life will no be able to run for very long even if that spoke is very strong.
Resistance
I know most people groan and object to this. “I don’t have time with that other stuff! I need to get creative now!”
Yes, we say this when we are stuck on just one way to do things. We only focus on one spoke and the wheel is stuck, it can’t roll.
A deeper perspective
A part from trying new and different solutions, there is a deeper truth to all this. Chances are you don’t like this. Because you are stuck… 
But maybe things are fine as they are? Why the need to be anywhere else? Why fight what is happening?
Understand that if you fight what is, you are going to lose big time. I mean, eventually you will die but things will still keep happening without you. You cannot win this game.
Think about this:
Your little ego is going to change the entire world just because you don’t like it? Do you think you can take on mother-nature and just change things around because you don’t like it?
Why not follow the master plan that is already happening? Why not realize you are part of it already? How can you create within what already is? Creativity is all around you. Work with it, don’t fight against it.
Cheers!
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Hello! My name is Samuel and this blog is about "creativeness" and overcoming procrastination. Check out "about" for more info. You can also connect with me via the icons below. Enjoy your stay!
