Category: Dyer Straits
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I’m blocked.
No, not that way. Plenty of fiber here. But I sit here, hunched over the keyboard with not a valid thing to say.
And it’s sad, really. I stare at my keyboard that I meticulously cleaned over a period of two days with a can of compressed air, a damp washcloth and a sense of great discomfort every time I dug something new out of the vaguely yellowing keyboard. For those of you who have never actually done this, it’s much like attending your senior prom…all proud, humbling and grotesque in one fell swoop. All I could think most of the time was “I understand the lint…I get the bits of Doritos and dust…but my God…did I really eat chili at this computer? And how often?”
But then suddenly, swirls of neurons sputter and fire, sputter and fire, like bits of paper caught in a blaze, and I realize that inspiration, the act of being inspired, is exactly that…a moment…a thought, a switch…the drawing in of a creative breath.
And now, I’m not so worried about being at a loss for words. Or design ideas, or any number of things. Creativity, like happiness, or diamonds, or a really good BLT, is precious because it’s not constant. Constancy is the death of inspiration.
I have two points here. One is obvious: Clean your keyboard more often than once every five years. The other is more vague, but still excellent advice: When you’re at a loss for that ‘eureka’ moment, wait for the wheel to turn your way. Think of it like chasing a ball, only to kick it away as your reach down, hands grasping. It may feel like you’re making forward progress, but the truth is you’re eventually gonna run smack into a real wall.
So, next time you can’t figure out the next logo, or the next business decision, or whether that’s chili or pad thai sauce…take a moment – grab a can of compressed air, and clear your creative space. Trust me. It’ll come back to you.
How about you? What do you do when the creative balls doesn’t bounce back right away?
Thomas (Tom) Stephan | Director of Something Clever
BoDo Author | Dyer Straits | Working Pro-bono
Comments to this post:
Comment: Joanna Young says
Hi Thomas
I realised yesterday I can be blocked and unblocked at the same time. I was thrashing around for hours trying to work on a piece I was writing for someone else - whereas material I was doing for myself, or folk I already know well, was jumping up and popping out all over the place.
What I was struggling for was the hook, the entry point, the way in… which took several walks, half a pad of torn up paper, a determination to finish by midnight, and half a bottle of red wine. One or other of them did the trick, and I feel so much better today!
Joanna
30th January 2008 Quote
Comment: Colby says
It seems like I get blocked more often when I’m trying too hard to get work done. Taking a walk, going for a run, working out at the gym are usually where I come up with some of my best ideas.
Also, make sure you have a notepad or something else to record those ideas…I always have my iphone and just create a new note.
30th January 2008 Quote
Comment: Heather says
I always use the cleaning method too! My desk becomes a warzone in a very short period of time and when I need to clear my head clearing my desk is effective.
So if my creative juices aren’t flowing because of what’s on my desk, does that in turn mean the inside of my brain looks like the mess on my desk?
Now I am scared!
31st January 2008 Quote
Comment: Thomas Stephan says
It’s true that we can be blocked in one narrow field and open in others. Think about stuffed up noses…most often only one side’s stuffed. If you stop breathing altogether…well let’s just say I don’t recommend it!
2nd February 2008 Quote
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