Walk it off.

If you've ever played a sport where injuries are part and parcel of the game you may at one time have been told by your coach to 'walk it off' after a minor mishap on the field or court.

I like to use that rule for creative blocks. It's kind of like a minor injury but of the creative kind because you have hit a wall. It's nothing serious...just walk it off.

Few things beat going for a walk when you are stuck for ideas. You'll encounter all manner of stimuli on your stroll - sights, sounds, smells (some unpleasant of course, but that's life), and more.

You may see some street art in progress in an alley - Banksy, is that you?

You may walk past an open window and hear someone practicing their opera singing.

You may see a person in pajamas walking their dog and the dog is wearing a tutu.

You may see a kid jumping a pothole on her bike and land on her back wheel as she continues down the street on one wheel like a stunt rider.

You may see a broken television set on the curb with a clever message scribbled into the screen.

You may hear some hip hop music pumping out of a car and see the driver is an 80 year old woman.

You may walk past two birds fighting over a French Fry/Chip only to have it stolen from them by a fast moving rat.

You may see a poster on a pole for an impromptu beat poetry performance happening that day and you decide to pop in for a quick listen.

The possibilities are quite endless as are the potential triggers for new ideas.

You will see, hear, encounter, and experience much more on that stroll than you will sitting at your desk looking at a blank pad and staring at a computer screen hoping your latest Google image search or scroll through Pinterest will help you - it wont, well not in a good and original way.

But when you hit the pavement don't look at your phone, keep it in your pocket at all times and don't put earphones in and listen to music. Fill your eyes and ears with the stimuli you encounter, let the world be your distraction, not technology. Oh, and keep a notepad and pen in your pocket to jot down any fresh thoughts, don't use your phone for notes as you will be too tempted to check those notifications that are on the screen...Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and text messages can wait.

So, if you have a creative block, it's nothing too serious...just walk it off.

Rodd

I'm a Creative Director / Writer / Strategist / Thinker / Creative Coach and a bit more. You can also find me on Twitter,  Instagram and on Facebook. Or drop me an email – [email protected]

Words (aside from credited quotes) Copyright Rodd Chant 2018

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