8 Ways To Stay Creative And Inspired When The Going Gets Tough
Let’s face it, most of us are over the whole COVID-19 lockdown situation right now, but we’re in a weird limbo of things not being back to normal just yet, and still have lots of constraints and rules about what to do or not in social settings. In these uncertain times, the body and mind go into survival mode and we’re eating more (well I certainly am!) and feeling perhaps a little lethargic and uninterested in pursuing anything worthwhile because ‘what’s the point?’.
The point is this – this is a great time to get creative, to break the pattern, to disrupt the old way of doing things and build the business you want. But what If you’re not feeling it? What if the creativity or inspiration is just not hitting the mark right now, and you’d rather curl up in bed or watch the next big thing on Netflix?
We all have those days, but if the days are turning into weeks, and the weeks into months (which is pretty much what’s happening right now in the world!) then it’s time to get your creative streak on and do what you really want to do in your life. Here come the tips and advice you need to keep inspired when the going gets tough.
Photo by Manasvita S on Unsplash
1. First things first, to get inspired to create, look back at your previous successes. What have you created recently that you’re really proud of – it can be a product or service, a painting, something you wrote, an artistic or creative hobby (my poor guitar is still very under used, even in lockdown!). What creation has made you smile, or what feedback did you get from your clients about your latest product or service?
All of these little wins need to be banked for future use when you’re just not ‘feeling it’. On those days, just pull up the file of testimonials, feedback, or general pride in your work, and really feel into and understand the difference you are making to yourself and others.
2. Talk to inspiring people you know, or listen to your role models on their podcasts, read their books, watch their videos. Pick 5 people who currently inspire you and have them on standby (even if it’s online standby!) for those days when it’s all getting a bit overwhelming. Find inspirational people you can meet up with, go for a coffee, pick their brains, or just have a little rant or a chat with. Sometimes clearing the air in a supportive environment is a great way to get clarity and reason with yourself that it’s not as bad as it seems!
3. Don’t attach all of your happiness to creating.
I get it – I love creating stuff too, blogs, podcasts, new courses and programmes. It’s all exciting and fun, but we have to separate ourselves as humans from the creative process and not attach all of our happiness and our identity to creativity alone. It’s hard in business not to think about it all the time, but we have to have a life outside of it too.
Happiness and identity should come from other places too like spending time with our family and friends, pursuing other interests and hobbies, and being grounded and focused in the present. The reality is that the present is all we’ve got, so constantly planning ahead, thinking about creating, and obsessing about the business will mean we’ll miss out on a lot right now, in this hour, in this day.
Take time out of your day to just be – not a businesswoman, not a creative, just You. A human making sense of the world, being comfortable in her own skin, being grateful for the things and the people in her life.
4. Stop the ‘shoulda, woulda, couldas’!
Your creative process isn’t helped by what I call the ‘shoulda, woulda, couldas’ – those tasks or processes you feel obliged to do –
‘I should be more creative’
‘I could be a better artist/coach/photographer/***insert vocation here***’
‘I would be better at this if I ***insert self-limiting belief here***’
Stop with the berating, the dutiful acts and the feeling that you’re not quite there yet. We’re all on our own journey at different stages, and you’re right where you need to be. Do something fun and childlike today that will free you of these constraints and ‘adulting’ for just a day, and get back to what you do best – when you’re ready.
5. Walk away.
Not completely, obviously! But take some time away from the desk, the laptop, the studio. Fresh air is always useful for clearing the brain fog and helping you find a new perspective on the situation. Sometimes pushing through isn’t the best way forward.
If you’re stressed or forcing the ideas or inspiration, it won’t work for you. Walk the dog, listen to some music or a podcast (mine is available on Spotify!) and get out in nature – anywhere green or blue will help! Take a break from the masculine energy of ‘goals, goals, goals!’ and tap into the feminine energy of creativity and quietness.
6. Come back to your why.
Sometimes we get so tied up in the small stuff that we forget the big stuff – why did you start your business in the first place?
What creative work, product or service made you want to start your business?
What help, advice, encouragement, products or services do you provide for your ideal client?
How do you do that through your creative work?
Does your why make you cry?
Your mission and vision for your business needs to be emotional, needs to inspire you. If you don’t have an emotional reason to make your business work, it won’t.
7. Declutter.
If you have a house (or a mind!) full of clutter, mess and things that don't serve a purpose anymore, this is not going to give you the physical or mental space to show your creative side. Holding on to things 'just in case' creates clutter in the home, which creates clutter in the mind, making you feel overwhelmed when getting started on important business projects.
It's important to look at all aspects of decluttering - the physical, emotional, financial, technological, and spiritual areas of your life that need to be addressed. Some ways to address these areas might be to physically declutter starting with one shelf or to walk around your home and note what areas need decluttering.
Mental decluttering could involve family issues or toxic relationships that need addressing. Financial decluttering could be to gather all the receipts together in one place from the previous tax year.
Digital decluttering could involve uninstalling old technology from your laptop of PC, or clear out your Downloads folder (we all need to do this one!).
A spiritual or mindset decluttering might require attending a meditation retreat or to address any negative self-limiting beliefs making you unhappy.
These areas are not to be overlooked in the case of a creative blockage or rut!
8. Tomato Time!
When I get in a rut, and it happens more often than I’d like (!), I take my timer and set it to 25 minutes and start the Pomodoro Technique. This method was developed by Francisco Cirillo in Italy, named after his kitchen timer which was the shape of a tomato – hence the Pomodoro technique.
Take 25 minutes and brain dump all that’s going on in your head, the things you have to do, the people you have to get back to, the practical/boring/essential life admin you have to sort out, the big hairy audacious goal you have for your business, your big Why, your rant – all of it down on paper. Take a break for 5 minutes, then come back to it. Prioritise all your tasks order of
1 – most important and urgent
2 – important but not urgent
3 - can be put on the long finger for a while (or be dumped off the list completely!).
Breaking down the big and small goals can shift the creative blockages, and help you get back on track.
ACTION STEP:
Focus on one of these tips at a time and create your very own set of tools and hacks when you’re not feeling creative or in the mood to do anything!
We can’t always be ‘on’ all the time, so give yourself a break!
I love helping women just like you get even more creative and help develop your vision and mission in business, so get in touch!
I have 5 free Business Breakthrough Calls available for August - click on the link to book a free 30 minute call and let’s discuss ways to get your Creative Groove on and be inspired to make this your best year yet in business!
