Listen to your creative block.
If you’ve ever tried to create, you’ve run into roadblocks. Whether you’re a pastor working on a sermon series or the artist working on the design, we’ve been there.
So I’m glad that Standing On Giants has encouraged the conversation.
Like any roadblock, when I run into a creative block the first thing I try to figure out is if there’s a way to avoid or workaround it. If something is causing it, I want to fix it. A few causes in my creativity:
too big: the project in front of me is huge and I feel over my head. In this case, I take a step back, divide it up into pieces and dig in.
fear: along with being too big, sometimes the project feels too important, it’s the equivalent of stage freight for me. I start questioning my ability, self talk failure into it…this is a tough one to break out of. In fact, I usually can’t break out on my own so I find someone to talk to about it. My wife, a friend, someone that I know can put wind back in my sails.
not interested: the project may just not light my fire. fortunately this is an easier one to solve, as I’m surrounded by others that are very talented and one of them may very well connect with the project. This is getting easier and easier as I admit that I don’t (and shouldn’t) do it all.
But it’s not always something that I need to move out of the way. Most often creative blocks are my friend telling me something and it usually falls into one of these:
“it’s time to take a break”
I’m not an 8-5 kinda guy. I don’t really do life/work balance. I’m more of a life/work mix, my creative energy tends to come in larger spurts than a slow and steady stream. Often if I find myself stuck and need a break. So I take it and come back ready to go.
“you’re empty and need to refill”
This can fall into two camps.
1. I don’t have enough information. I may need more research or I may need more insight from the pastor, leader, etc.
2. I believe our creative spirit is like a sponge. We have to create habits of filling it up in order to squeeze it out. If I’m squeezing and nothing is coming out it is a reminder that I’ve neglected that habit and need to go fill it up.
How about you? How do you work through your creative block?
