5 Creative Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block in 5 Minutes or Less

The dreaded fog that clouds our mind, also known as writer’s block, makes it impossible to spark good thoughts, content, and ideas. It can feel like our tires are stuck spinning in the mud and we can’t get out. Writer’s block does not discriminate — whether you are a best-selling author or writing your first social media post, it can happen to anyone.

Writer’s block isn’t just a concept, it’s real! Writer’s block is defined as a “temporary inability to begin or continue a writing project due to fear, anxiety or lack of inspiration.” (Penn State) There are many reasons why it happens, so what can we do to fix it when it strikes?

I have worked in creative spaces for as long as I can remember, as a choreographer all the way to teaching graduate courses on innovation. I know what it’s like to get to that point of frustration when you’re in a rut, so here are 5 easy tools and exercises you can use to get over writer’s block and spark creativity.

1) Superhero to the Rescue

Pick a superhero you are familiar with and know something about.

Set a timer for 1 minute to brainstorm a list of as many attributes, characteristics, or things you know to be true about this superhero. From what they wear to how they respond, jot it all down.

Now go through your list to force connections. Come up with solutions based on how the attributes relate to the problem at hand or how it demonstrates that superhero might solve it. These superhero solutions will give you some new ideas and approaches.

Let’s say I am writing an executive summary for my company, which happens to be a tech-enhanced dry cleaners — the words have just stopped flowing and now I’m stuck.

First, I pick my superhero — I’m going with Superman.

Next, I will brainstorm attributes about Superman.

• Fly
• Clark Kent
• “Man of Steel”
• Strong
• X-ray vision
• Saves the day
• Space
• Red cape
• Kryptonite

Using this list, I’ll then come up with ways that Superman might help to solve my problem.

i) We fly in to save the day for our customers with a drone pick-up service. This is an important competitive advantage that I need to include and emphasize.

ii) When thinking about space, I need to make sure I include information on our industry.

iii) Clark Kent and strong remind me of our strong team that is behind the company, and I need to include that in the overview.

iv) Clark Kent also makes me think about how Superman goes under the radar, kind of like a fly on the wall. Maybe I can read through executive summaries of other companies to observe their approach and get some new ideas.

2) Mind Map It

A mind map is a web-like diagram that visually lays out all the parts of a subject. It identifies trends, similarities, and gaps. It can be an effective tool for clearing brain clutter and turning thoughts into something that can be viewed and discussed.

To make a mind map, focus on a subject and then branch out with topics and subsets that relate. Click here for an in-depth guide on how-to make a mind map.

3) Jam Session

Put your pen down or minimize your screen, and play a song that gets you in your feels — whether it makes you happy, sad, makes you reminisce, or makes you want to dance. Let yourself get immersed in the music and lyrics. Allow your mind to wander. Feel free to put the song on repeat and inspire a new frame of mind and new emotions that can overcome your writer’s block.

“Music imprints itself on the brain deeper than any other human experience. Music evokes emotion and emotion can bring with it memory. Music brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.” — Dr. Oliver Sacks

4) Take a Hike

Maybe you don’t have time for a whole hike, but get out of the building. Go outside for a brisk walk down the street or around the block. Let your senses kick in — what do you hear, see, or smell? Feel the wind on your face. Hear the birds singing or the traffic whizzing by. Get out of your writing bubble and use this time to refresh your mind.

5) Reverse What You Know

When we reverse our assumptions about a topic, it can open up new perspectives or new ways to look at the situation.

Start by listing your top 3–5 assumptions about what you are writing about. This could be about the situation or project at hand, or could even be looking at the bigger picture of industry expectations.

Next, reverse these assumptions.

Now, using the reversals, try to come up with ways those reversals could actually work. What do they reveal or represent? What is a new approach you can take?

Back to my tech-enabled dry cleaning business…

I thought about assumptions related to my business, my industry, and executive summaries and come up with these:

• We use technology to retrieve and deliver orders.
• Customers want professionals to clean their garments.
• An executive summary should be 1–2 pages.

Like Missy Elliot said, now I’ll flip it and reverse it.

• We do not use technology to retrieve or deliver orders.
• Customers do not want professionals to clean their garments.
• An executive summary should not be 1–2 pages.

Finally, I’ll try to come up with conclusions that each could represent.

• We let customers come to us instead of us going to them.
• Maybe customers would prefer if people didn’t touch their clothes, so instead we use sanitized robots to handle, move, or fold any clean garments.
• Instead of a written 1–2 page summary, maybe I can create a video talking about my company or incorporate customer testimonials. Maybe even a demo walking through our locations or showing the technology could add a unique visual approach to our investment packet.

Share what works for you to break past writer’s block in the comments!