Here's how you can overcome creative blocks as a mid-career professional.

To overcome creative blocks as a mid-career professional, start by revisiting your passions and past successes for inspiration. Schedule regular breaks and incorporate diverse experiences into your routine to stimulate new ideas. Seek feedback from peers to gain fresh perspectives, and set small, achievable goals to build momentum. Embrace experimentation and allow yourself to make mistakes, as this fosters growth and innovation.

Overcoming creative blocks adds value by enabling you to maintain innovation and problem-solving capabilities, which are crucial for continued success and adaptability in your career.

Many people find themselves disengaged from their work due to monotony. While changing environments can revitalize motivation, this isn't always feasible. I've personally discovered that physical exertion, such as running, effectively combats boredom and boosts energy levels. It's not just about fitness; it's about mental refreshment.

Inspiration is just a few taps away in today’s digital age. Social media has become an incredibly rich source of inspiration. Whenever life feels stagnant, I find it energizing to explore new horizons and connect with diverse perspectives. However, if mobility is limited, I usually turn to social media to virtually explore the world. Listening to interviews, biographies, and success stories always gives me a much-needed boost. While these experiences don't provide tangible benefits, they offer a fresh perspective, renew a sense of purpose, and challenge existing thought patterns.

If time is limited, have conversations with different people, including strangers. Learn about other business functions or aspects of your organisation. Upskill in a creative pursuit or simply change the route back home to get inspired by the environment around you.

I've found that the energy of simultaneous collaboration with other enthusiastic people is a fantastic way to break through a creative block. For me, this is especially true when we are meeting in person because of the energy in the room together, but a virtual gathering is a good second-best. Over time, I've developed my "favourite people" to collaborate with on certain topics. We spark ideas in each other and develop innovate solutions that we would not have thought of on our own.

To overcome creative blocks as a mid-career professional, take a step back and recharge by engaging in activities outside of your usual routine, such as exploring new hobbies or networking with colleagues from different departments. Practice self-reflection to identify the root cause of the block, and challenge yourself to approach problems from a fresh perspective. Embrace collaboration and seek inspiration from others, whether through brainstorming sessions or mentorship. Finally, give yourself permission to take risks and embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, allowing your creativity to flow freely once again.

Observe Natural Patterns: Spend time observing patterns in nature, such as the fractals in leaves or the flow of water, and apply these patterns to your work. Create an Alter Ego: Develop a creative alter ego with a distinct personality and perspective. Approach your work as this character to explore different ideas. Oblique Strategies Cards: Use Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies cards to prompt random and unusual ideas. Draw a card and apply the suggestion to your current problem.