56 ways to trick yourself into doing the work
Recently I taught an SCBWI workshop called “Transforming Walls into Bridges: 12 ways to trick yourself into doing the work.”
We visualized our creative blocks (looming walls, a foggy path, a giant pit, a crushing block of concrete) and brainstormed creative visual solutions (hammers, leaf blowers, shovels, growth serum).
Then we explored ways we could turn our visualizations into practical tips to find our way back into creative work. I offered 10 tricks and challenged everyone to write two. The results were amazing!
Note: If you would like to book this workshop for your local SCBWI, critique group, or organization, feel free to contact me at rachelmichellewrites at gmail.com.
Here are some of the tricks the group came up with:
Take a nap.
Hug a guinea pig.
Eat a carrot (Share some with guinea pig).
Go for a walk.
Just write something. Could be a journal of your day but get your fingers moving on the keyboard. Then move into story, knowing It will not be good but it will evolve.
If you are afraid of not having enough time, schedule a monthly day at the library or at a friend/family member’s house when empty to write on your own.
Facetime an accountability partner when making the first marks (or do a social media live)
Tie the creative habit to a normal or necessary habit like breakfast.
Don’t try to draw “good.”
Cry.
Go do something else.
Change up your tools.
Find a private spot for yourself where you feel safe.
Fix your posture.
Drink some water.
Take three deep breaths.
Relax your jaw.
Take a Dr. Pepper break.
Let yourself make a crappy one first to experiment and release pressure.
Compile an inspirational playlist and images.
Go for a walk alone.
Play with legos or playdoh.
Learn something new.
If you are losing your joy about your story, share it with others.
If you get bored, try a new technique.
If you feel foggy or hazy, work in the morning when your mind is fresh.
If you are comparing yourself to others, focus on celebrating others authentically. Joy is contagious, so you’ll feel it when you lift others up sincerely.
Go for a run.
Meditate.
Reach out to others, even when it is hard.
Take a day off.
Write down any creative idea big or small.
Watch a children’s cartoon like Bluey or Elinor Wonders Why.
Go on a hike or walk to focus on something else for a while.
If you are afraid of not finishing a project, write something short, like a letter to a friend or a text.
Write morning journals.
Treat yourself to some alone time.
Start with an atomic habit that is small and doable to build consistency, then add to it over time.
Put sand timer at various times (credit to author Claudia Mills)
Collect desk objects about the story or the things you love.
Sit by a tree and admire how it took the tree time to grow but that gave it strength.
Talk to a writer friend.
have a writing day with a friend and share your progress.
Take time to meditate.
Write a few things you love about what you’ve made.
Write a few things that excite you about how to make it better.
Go on a drive or walk with your favorite music.
Throw on a Wes Anderson (or other visually compelling thing) and start drawing details.
If you are afraid of losing the heart of your story, write or read your artist statement.
If you don’t feel like you are progressing, look back at your old work to see the progress you’ve actually made.
Go do something you know you can successfully accomplish like dishes.
Physically draw yourself as who or what you want to be.
If you are afraid you aren’t talented enough, set aside five minutes a day to sketch and experiment.
List to music while writing.
Reread one of your children’s favorite books with them.
Do something creative that isn’t writing (art, music, games, etc.)
I will continue to add to this list as I teach more workshops in the future. And if you have one to add, feel free to email me!