How to Keep Your Creative Mojo Going When Life Gets in the Way

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Last week was crazy. No, make that C-R-A-Z-Y!

It was half term break.

Our 9 year old promptly got the flu which morphed into a mean bronchitis.

Husband left for new assignment which involves a lot of travel.

Client deadlines loomed. Do I negotiate an extension? Torture!

The space to think and create was reduced to the size of a broom cupboard. And my creativity was cowering in it.

Who the heck pressed the fast forward button on Time?

Sick child coughed and spluttered. Writing and client design work clamoured. All competed for my attention. I worried that what I was creating wasn’t up to par.

I toiled some more. And worried even more.

Do you recognise this scenario?

Some of it?

All of it?

That’s life! What can we do to keep our creative mojo going when life’s demands and obligations threaten to snuff it out? Don’t waste your time calling upon the “the Muse”. She is a fickle independent spirit who doesn’t do command appearances. You need a fast-acting creativity-lag cure. Here are my top pick super quick ways to stay motivated and in the creative zone.

1. Quintessential Quotes:  I know it is a cliché, cheesy even; but when you are in a bind with your back to the wall these quotes, the kick-butt-inspiring ones, are the lifeline you need.Quotes work fast, like a double shot espresso, delivering that instant buzz to your tired mind.Here is one of my reassuring go-to quotes when a creative drought threatens.

“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Maya Angelou.

Need to bring in the big guns to mobilise your creativity? Few can trump this motivational call to arms to spur you on into battle.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”  Theodor Roosevelt, April 23 1910

adam-j-kurtz-you-will-hate-your-work-creative

If Mr Roosevelt’s words are a little too rousing for your frazzled nerves, try this sympathetic and important reminder from Adam J. Kurtz in his 8 Things Every Creative Should Know. Cheers for this tip  Charmaine Werth - interior designer and multi-discipline creative.

Dive in for 7 more golden nuggets to help you navigate the choppy waters of creative working and living.

2. Inject a Shot of the Unusual. Get away from your computer. A change of scene might just be what is needed to shift your head-space from the pressure to produce to a place where you feel unstuck and fresh ideas flow .Go to museums, visit an art gallery or take in an exhibition. You will be amazed how experiencing something different can help you get unstuck.

No time? Don't worry. You can still do something worthwhile even if you are pressed for time. Try something as simple as driving a different route home or taking a walk in the ultimate create space – nature.For the best chances to reboot your creative mojo, you will need to be fully present in that moment with all 5 senses turned up to maximum volume.  Be prepared. Your best ideas often come when you least expect it.

3. Call a Friend and have a Laugh:  Being able to laugh at your circumstances or at something unrelated immediately eases anxiety and lifts your stress.  As you know, anxiety and stress suck the life force out of your creativity.

“Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.” — Mark Twain

Laughter is the antidote. It takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, and joyful perspective.

"Laughter is like creativity jet fuel."

There you have it, 3 super quick ways to keep your creative mojo going when life threatens to get in the way. Give them a try.

Let me know how they work for you. Perhaps you have your own way to keep creating and moving forward?

Tell me what works best for you. I would love to read them.