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Overcoming the entrepreneurial creativity block

Becoming an entrepreneur takes a combination of skill, knowledge, dedication, drive and, above all, creative spirit. Mind blocks affect people in a variety of occupations, but for entrepreneurs, creativity burnout can damage reputations and decrease credibility. When you feel like your creative flame has gone out, try these simple strategies to get a spark going.

Read

Running a business is like any other creative endeavor: it requires passion, inspiration and a constant flow of ideas. When your own mind is tired, turn to other people and their thoughts. Try reading things you normally wouldn’t — a passage of non-fiction, an op-ed from the Times — to remove yourself from your comfort zone and experience new viewpoints. Igniting creative spark often simply means giving your mind something brand new or unique to think about.

Refocus

It can be easy to lose focus when you get lost in the big picture, the grand vision of what your company will be in the future. Write down your mission statement and keep it on hand for review. Remind yourself why you are doing what you do, not in the long term, but in the short term. Aim to meet small weekly or monthly project targets. Whether you are thinking of incorporating your business or updating your website, outlining your goals can help you get them done.

Find a sounding board

Talk shop with a friend, bounce ideas off an employee or call up a client for a quick chat. There are a number of people around who know what your business is about and what you hope to achieve, many of them working alongside you. Different perspectives can get the creative juices flowing, and talking problems out is a great way to see things in a new light.

Every creative mind will hit a wall now and then. Make sure you know how to climb over that wall and keep running for the finish line.