Demand Success was a blast, and running Tenacity5 through its inaugural year has been exciting. The work has been intense, and I am starting to lose my creative edge. It’s a challenge all communicators face sooner or later.
Fortunately, I just went on vacation in the Outer Banks, and am likely restoring my mojo. That being said, I really am struggling with writing a significant post on work/rest/life balance, a la Arianna Huffington’s Third Metric. So I mailed it in, and instead am offering this BuzzFeed-esque pictoral, 15 Ways to Restore Your Creativity.
Here we go!
1) Take a Vacation
Nags Head Fishing Pier by Northern Tony.
2) Explore a Different Creative Path
Painter’s Palette by Eli Goren.
3) Meditate
4) Go to a Live Event
Natitude and Penants by me.
5) Watch a Movie
Cinemark by Richmond Confidential
6) Hike in Some Place of Natural Beauty
Patagonia River Valley by me
7) Take a Nap
8) Watch the Sun Rise or Set
Sunset Over Cameron Run by me.
9) Journal
10) Play with Your Kids (if you have them)
Soleil Climbs the Awakening by me
11) Admire Someone Else’s Work
El Ateneo by me.
12) Visit a Museum
Gugenheim Museum Bilbao by Bastian Sander
13) Play a Game
Cards on Parade by Magnus Lundquist
14) Work Out
15) Enjoy Time with Your Partner
Siluetas al amanecer by Juan Paradeda
What would you add?
Whenever I feel I’ve hit the creative wall, I just push through. I force myself to carry my camera everywhere I go and keep shooting. Sooner or later it comes back.
Yeah, me, too. Keeps the creative juices flowing!
Hmmm…I feel a little resonance with what I posted today:) Cheers! Kaarina
Ha, I wrote this on Wednesday last week before I departed. Read your post, hope it gets you were you need to go, but most importantly, have a great week! Will comment.
Geoff, I agree that writing or drawing on paper gives you a big boost. At least it does for me! I always start my designs with sketches.
Journal writing is really helpful. I am a big fan of Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and the journalling exercises she prescribes.
run a race…
LOL!
I love this. Of course. Loved the images. It was a mini-break and here’s what just happened in the four minutes prior to my reading this post. I looked up from my laptop and out my window at a stunning view of mountains and trees and realized I’ve been oblivious to this for the past four hours. And I leaned back and then I saw this.
I’d add – if nothing else, just get up and go take a walk without devices. Enjoy whatever the view is wherever you are.
Thank you, and good point. Presence is really under-valued in this online world. Hope you had a great rest of the day!
Good old pen and paper … writing or drawing, always does the trick for me :)
I agree with you, Craig. I’ve gotten back into the pend and pad over the past month and it is working well for me.
In fact, it has also helped with the keyboard and editor, but my digital voice recorder use has taken a notable hit.
Zee old school methods work wonders for me :)
Pingback:A Time for Work and a Time for Rest | Tenacity 5 Media
[…] shares his insights into how to restore one’s creativity. His tips range from taking a vacation to exploring a new hobby. He doesn’t mention photography […]
Music works for me every time. Seeing, hearing, feeling music!
Pingback:Monday Roundup: Support at Waxing UnLyrical
[…] 7. 15 Ways to Restore Your Creativity […]
Pingback:How to get your creativity back | Print my recipes
[…] Here are some ways to get the creativity back, from Geoff Livingston’s blog, at 15 Ways to Restore Your Creativity: […]