The 9 Biggest Blocks To Creativity

Everybody loves a list! They’re like bite sized life hacks that help to remind us of important things.

So I thought I’d put together a short, but poignant list of some of the Biggest Blocks to Creativity.

Here they are;

1. Distractions

Anything that pulls your focus away from what you are creating can be considered a distraction. Things such as noise, notifications from your device, clutter, interruptions etc. can severely hamper the creative process. Eliminating or learning to block out these distractions is crucial.

2. Lack Of An End Goal

Having a clear vision and purpose for what you’re trying to create provides direction and focus. It’s never a good idea to ‘meander’ into a creative project. At least having a rough idea of what you’d like to accomplish is so important. Since it’s a creative pursuit, it may not end up exactly as you planned, but that is part of the goal as well. Rolling with it.

3. Lack Of Practice

Too many people think creativity is based on inspiration. Sometimes we get moments like that. The rest of the time it’s real work. Overcoming blocks to creativity is very much like working a muscle to make it stronger. It takes time and consistency to develop your style and to know what materials and techniques you like to use. There is no substitute for practicing your creative pursuit.

4. Self Criticism

Getting down on yourself is one of the worst things you can do and one of the biggest blocks to creativity. So, don’t do it. I know it’s easier said than done.

However, it’s imperative that you learn to curtail negative self-talk. The harder you are on yourself the more prone you are to procrastination. Why? You’re being a tyrant with yourself. Would look forward to going to a class with a teacher who always told you how terrible you were? No. Of course not. Just know that when you are harsh with yourself you will be stifling your creativity.

5. Poor Nutrition and Lack of Sleep

Good physical health is the backbone of a good life. It’s so much harder to get things done when you don’t feel good. This is especially true when you are engaging in a creative activity. Don’t underestimate how much energy it takes to practice creativity. Know that the lack of sleep and poor nutrition will get in the way of doing your best as an artist.

6. Perfectionism

Oh, so many of us demand perfection from ourselves and those around us. The need for perfection can cause paralysis and prevent us from taking creative risks or even starting in the first place. Try to see things from a different perspective. Go easy on yourself. The key is staying focused. Not hyper vigilant.

7. Expecting It To Be Easy

The simple fact is, being creative on a regular basis is NOT easy. Experienced artists, writers, performer etc. make it LOOK easy. That’s after years of practice and a ton of mistakes. Many times creative people have been on the brink of quitting their art. Sometime they do.

However, if you are meant to create and you dedicate yourself to it, you come back. Creative work is challenging and involves a lot of failure. It’s just part of the process. Learning to embrace the struggle is important.

8. Fear

Often times fear in general can be a creative person’s worst enemy. It’s not just the fear of making a mess of something either. It’s also the fear of knocking it out of the park and hitting a grand slam.

Be very careful when it comes to your own fear. Pay attention to how your thinking. Fear can sneak in and twist up your thoughts to the point that you stop listening to your own intuition and not realize it. Fear is sneaky and when it comes to creative endeavors, it can be relentless.

9. Self Doubt

If you don’t fully believe in your own creative abilities it’ll make your artistic journey that much more difficult. Sometimes you hear about a famous person in the world of art, or writing or entertainment and how they are incredibly arrogant and demanding. It’s a sad cliche, but sometimes the artist who great at their art is often an insufferable dope to deal with.

Why? They have an unshakeable belief in their own abilities and the world can be damned. This is especially true if you want to make a full time living at your art. No one will make you do your art. No one needs your art.

Unlike many other necessary services, art is not one of them. Art is something people buy when they have the money and only after work when they have the time to be entertained. I hope this list has given you some ideas to help you remove your biggest blocks to creativity.