The A to Z of finding ideas.

Stuck on a blank page? Sweating about the lack of ink being splayed across the paper? Fear not, here is, hopefully, a helpful and fun checklist to get the ideas flowing.

A. Art. Check out some galleries, it doesn't matter if you know the artists, just spend time looking at their works and try and imagine what was in their minds when they created it. Look at the brush strokes or whatever other techniques they used to create their pieces.

B. Breathe. Yes, you do this all day, but try really focussing on your breathing, listen to it, feel it. You don't have to get into a contorted yoga position to do this. Just take some time to focus on the ins and out of your breathing, it is quite meditative and calming.

C. Coffee. Sit in a coffee shop with a view of the world passing by. With a pen in hand scribble, jot, and doodle to your heart's content or for as long as the coffee flows. Not a coffee drinker? Try tea.

D. Daydream. It's free and easy. Make yourself comfortable somewhere, in a park is a nice option, shut off the phone and let your mind drift away.

E. Explore. Go somewhere new, be it in your city/town or on the planet. Seeing new things and places opens up the mind to ideas.

F. Fun. You can't be all work and no play. So go out and play, unwind, have some fun.

G. Grass. No, not the smoking kind I mean the stuff you find in parks and the like. Go and get horizontal on some of the green stuff for a while, relax, look up at the sky and the clouds and just enjoy the fresh air and peacefulness. No working, no thinking about anything. Just relax.

H. Hike. Make a day of it. Pack a lunch and some water, put on the comfortable boots or sneakers and wander into nature. Be it bushland/forest or along a coast, it doesn't matter as long as you're away from city life and can take in what Mother Nature has provided. Look at trees, plants, animals, bugs, rocks, the ocean, lakes, and whatever else you come across. Take it all in.

I. Imagination. Let it run wild for a while. Maybe imagine you're a famous artist for a day, one you admire, try and imagine yourself in their shoes for a day. Live your day as you imagine they may have lived theirs...as long as it wont harm you of course. :-)

J. Juggle. Try it. As in not your workload, actually get a hold of some tennis balls, look up some tutorials and teach yourself to juggle. Challenging yourself to learn a new skill and pushing your co-ordination is good for the brain.

K. Kick. Go out to a park and kick a football around. You can do it on your own or with someone else. Exercise is good for the mind and body. You don't have to do a lot to get a sweat worked up. Much more enjoyable than sweating over that idea you can't find.

L. Laugh. Take a break and watch some comedians on YouTube, read some comics, go see some stand-up comedians, or whatever else will get you giggling. It's healthy and stops you thinking of other things for a while.

M. Music. Listen to tunes you would not normally listen to. Be it Chinese opera, Mongolian throat singers, punk, or whatever. You don't have to like it, but you never know what switches it may turn on in your mind.

N. Nap. Take some time out and close your eyes for a while. Give your mind a break, it does wonders.

O. Opposites. If your trying to find some words, think of visuals instead and vice versa if you're trying to find a visual solution for something instead think of words. Looking for a few chords on guitar to get the sound you want? Try playing drums for a while instead. Can't think of what to paint? Take some photos instead. Do the opposite of what you're trying to achieve to break up your train of thought.

P. Paper and pen. Take them on a walk with you, in fact take them everywhere. Anyone who knows me personally can attest that it is impossible to see me without a pen and notepad in hand or next to me, unless I am in the water that is.

Q. Questions. Do a bit of online research to find out answers to some questions you may never have asked but you would be curious to find out more about. Such us who invented the plastic ends on shoelaces? Or can a platypus kill you? Get creative with your questions, have some fun with it. Oh, and yes, a platypus could actually kill you.

R. Read. Get your hands on some books, yes actual books no e-readers or tablets and get lost in some stories. Why actual books over electronic devices? Well, you don't have to worry about batteries running out, dropping it, or it being stolen (not many thieves steal books) and you can go sit anywhere you want and read away without having to think about anything else.

S. Smoothies. Hit a combo of fruits and the like that have been proven to improve brain health. Some include - berries, banana, avocado, and pomegranate. Do a bit of online research and find one that takes your fancy. Hey, it can't hurt.

T. Teach. Help other people learn the skills you have. Personally I love teaching workshops, courses, and classes. Aside from being able to pass on valuable skills I have learned over the years it reminds me of how I do things. After a while we go into auto-pilot mode when we have done something for many years, I know I do. It's refreshing to say to yourself - "How do I actually do that again? Oh yeah...that's how".

U. Upend. Flip your day on its head. Throw any routines you have out the window. Have lunch for breakfast, breakfast for dinner, and dinner for lunch. Read the local news online from a small town in a country you've never visited. Just make sure you're not doing anything you would normally do in the way you normally do it. Disrupt your brain, make it think different for a day. Comfort zones are creativity killers.

V. Visualize. Picture whatever it is you're trying to create in your head. Maybe look at a blank wall and imagine the art you want to create on it, picture it in your mind. Or stare at a blank screen and imagine you're seeing that film you want to write playing out on the screen. Bring it all to life in your mind's eye.

W. Walk. This should be a daily activity. Not only is it good for your health it also is a chance to take in some fresh stimuli to get the idea juices flowing.

X. Xylophone. No, this wasn't a cop out in search for whatever would fill in the 'X' space. Try and teach yourself some new and unexpected instruments. It opens up parts of your brain not used before or at least refreshes ones not stimulated for a while. Already know how to play the xylophone? No problems, try the xizambi from Mozambique.

Y. You. Be good to yourself. Treat yourself often. A happier person is a more productive and creative person.

Z. Zzzzz. Get a good night's sleep. Your brain is like a battery and it runs low eventually. A good eight hour shutdown does wonders.

Hope this helps unstick any creative blocks you get.

Rodd

I'm a Creative Director / Writer / Strategist / Thinker and a bit more. I work with clients/brands directly and with agencies and production companies. I also teach creative thinking and idea generation to groups and individuals. You can read more of my LinkedIn musings here. 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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