Getting Unstuck -- Taking Cues from the Creative World

You're prepping for a strategy meeting but have no fresh thoughts to add to what's already been done.  An impromptu brainstorming session makes you feel like a newbie comedian at the improv.   We can all get stuck in an idea rut.    Fortunately, having "idea block" in business is not the same calamity as it is for "creative" professions.

Artists, writers and musicians must tap the well of creativity for a living.   What do they do when the well is dry?    There are hundreds of books on the subject.  And they're useful resources for all thinkers -- Michelangelo or not.

Written for writers, useful for the rest of us:   

Natalie Goldberg originated the concept of "timed writing" as a daily practice, which is helpful when you're staring at that blank page.  Her recipe:  set your watch or kitchen timer to 10 minutes each day and write whatever comes to mind (I think her words are "feel free to write the worst junk on earth").   Some days are junk days, period.  But one must consistently work through the junk to find that treasure of an idea.  My favorite of hers is Thunder and Lightning -- I have worn out the audio version attempting to inspire creativity during long commutes.

I'm not a fan of the horror genre, but Stephen King has done an admirable job of deconstructing the creative process.  His book On Writing is thankfully free of fluff, pep talk, and life-affirming statements.   So of course, he's inspiring, because he's not trying to be.

Taking cues from creatives makes sense.   They're under a heck of a lot more pressure than most of us to come up with something new.