We all have moments when our brains just shut down. Whether you are a creative director, full-time parent, product manager, salesperson, or CEO, we all experience the feeling of our brain giving up after being overworked. So, how do you combat burnout and get back to producing decent ideas?
Take a deep breath. Now, get your brain thinking about something that has nothing to do with the problem you’re trying to solve. Get those neurons firing in another section of the noggin. Here are three strategies for recharging your right brain:
- Change your surroundings. Leave the office and go for a walk. Head home and work in the garden. Open a magazine. Diversions like these can help to change the course of your subconscious.
- Find another venue for creativity. What gets you really stoked? Choose a creative activity that pushes your fun buttons. Maybe it’s that outline for your novel, paint-by-numbers, creating a mood board, or a home renovation project.
- Get outside of your comfort zone. This is hard, but it’s also crucial to conceiving anything creative. Go see a movie. Specifically, see one that you wouldn’t normally sit down to watch. Try to get into the story of the film. This will force you to think differently. Push for the unexpected, and you’ll find fresh ways to look at the same creative concepts.
See a trend? While some might call these strategies simply distractions, we know better. We’re stimulating a tired brain into moving in different ways. This will help stifled ideas to take on new life. And if all of this doesn’t jar something loose from the idea logjam, maybe it’s time for a vacation.
