Comments on: Tell Us Your Creative Blocks – and We’ll Help You Smash Through Them!

By: Mik Betts

Mik Betts — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:33:46 +0000

Hi,

I have been struggling with creative block for 5 years now. I used to write prolifically (songs), until I literally came to a brick wall. I lost all confidence in my abilities, so much so that when I opened my mouth to sing nothing came out! I have not written a song in 5 years and feel that every time I have an idea I get a sick feeling in my stomach that it’s going to be the same old thing again and I hate that I am so predictable. This happens before I even know where the idea is going! I’m finding it crippling. I am no longer interested in music, art, books, I feel like I have shut off this side of myself completely. Any advice?

Thanks,

Mik

By: Surf’s Up, Condensed: Top Creativity Links for April 3, 2010 « Creative Liberty

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 03:09:12 +0000

[...] Tell Us Your Creative Blocks – and We’ll Help You Smash Through Them! | Lateral Action Mark McGuinness has started 2010 with a great series addressing typical creative blocks voiced by artists and innovators. This page links to the entire series. [...]

By: NicholasGroen

NicholasGroen — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:40:09 +0000

That inner critic is a punk at the beginning of a project. I am an aspiring copywriter, and this guy is always in my head telling me how terrible my writing is.

I’ve read ‘Hey Whipple Squeeze This’ and the best was I have found to drown inner-critic out is to have as many ideas about one project as possible. In the first stages, just create as many good headlines, tones to be use, or even ideas for the project and place them in my notebook. The notebook is also key, because the computer is constantly correcting me as I work, giving more chances for the inner critic to tell me how bad I am. After hammering out all the ideas, I let the critic go to work, and he finds me the best ideas out of the many.

The notebook is crucial for another reason. I can draw my ideas, I can write however I want, and faster than on any computer. The ideas flow better, and anything that can allow you to think smoother is great in my books. You will also find your heart and soul pouring into your work like never before. At that point, your critic is driven to tears; he doesn’t know what to say, and that is just fine by me.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:30:50 +0000

Hi, well here’s my block right now. I start writing, then look at what I write and think, that doesn’t look good enough, it looks lame, I can come up with something better to say then that, or something better to describe that, so i’m erasing and rewriting then saying the same thing again, and erasing and rewriting again.

I keep doing this several times before I can either move on, or I eventually give up. I also find myself saying things like this half way though my stories about the story itself and then stop working on it mid way and I don’t know how to get through this. Please help?

Thanks!

By: Pk

Pk — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:13:57 +0000

Okay…I got several ideas to try out…but most of the times I feel, “hey, there are lot of people like me in the world, and lot of super intelligent guyz – wouldn’t they have thought of the same thing and implemented it? Will I fail if I implement my own idea?

I’ve been trying to overcome, but it’s really a toughie.

By: To Be Continued (MSNW week 9) « cliffjump.net

To Be Continued (MSNW week 9) « cliffjump.net — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:55:11 +0000

[...] about creativity tells us that it is scarce, unpredictable, not something to be conjured at will. The muse is fickle and frequently on holiday, or at least unavailable for comment. How are we going to generate great new content to keep our loyal fans happy every single month? [...]

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:44:06 +0000

@ Heather – It certainly sounds like it… Maybe a break would do you good!

@ Sara – Oh yes… (he said with feeling).

By: What Daily Meditation Can Do for Your Creativity « gabriel catalano | in-perfección

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:16:23 +0000

[...] Mark McGuinness is currently helping readers of the Lateral Action blog to break through their creative blocks. For bite-sized inspiration follow Mark on [...]

By: sara

sara — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:09:19 +0000

can wrong job serve as a creative block?

By: Heather Allard

Heather Allard — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:16:09 +0000

Hi Mark!

I’ve been blogging over at The Mogul Mom for 3 years, covering every topic imaginable for mom entrepreneurs.

Lately, I feel like I’m “all blogged out”. I feel like there’s nothing left for me to write about. I find myself referring to old blog posts when my readers ask me questions I’ve already answered. I feel like Forrest Gump when he says, “That’s all I’ve got to say about that.”

Is being “all blogged out” a creative block?

Thanks so much!
Heather