How to Break Through a Donald Trump Sized Creative Wall

You’ve been thinking about it all day.

From the minute you clocked in at work, grabbed a donut off the commons table, and then plopped into your ergonomic yet somehow still uncomfortable chair, you were desperate to get back to your own project.

Instead, you sifted through email after email, went to approximately 3.5 meetings, and stared at spreadsheets for most of the day.

But after you’ve finished the back end of your hour-long commute, you’re ready for what you wanted to do all along.

So you scarf down a sloppy sandwich, rush to your home office, and then finally sit at your desk.

And just when you’re about to do the work you dreamed of all day, you look at the screen and feel…

Nothing.

All the ideas that flooded your mind before are nowhere to be found. And now you have to race the clock before another slog through this deflating cycle.

Sure you still love what you do and you would never want to quit, but the truth is, you’ve hit a wall.

Yes, you’re still as motivated as ever. You follow a solid work schedule. And you’ve even read about all the tricks of the trade. Yet none of that has translated into tangible progress lately.

Yeah. It’s frustrating.

I know how tough it is to break through these creativity walls—especially since I’ve faced one of my own for several weeks now.

Slumps like these aren’t restricted to blogging, though. Every creative endeavor presents one at some point.

But the good news is, once you’ve seen enough of these stretches, you realize that they’re never the end of the world. And if you know what you’re doing, they may even be the start of something greater.

The Master Plan

So how do you smash through such monumental walls?

You follow this two-phase master plan:

You fill up.
You let loose.

Because a creative slump is just a symptom of two things:

You’re mentally drained.
Your system is too structured.

The routine that produced home runs before only exhausts you now. And even though your creative flow was limitless in the past, you can barely imagine a time when your well of ideas wasn’t dry.

That’s why you need to refill those creative juices and let em loose in a new way.

Systems are meant to give order to the work you do. Not constrict a once enjoyable activity to the dullness of clockwork.

Look, I’m all about the so-called “grind”, but there’s no rule that says work has be painful. If it’s painful to you now, then you were doomed from the start.

The actual work isn’t the cause of all this. The rate of production is the real culprit.

So let’s take a look at how you can fix the root of this problem and get back to what you do best.

Phase 1: Fill Up

It doesn’t matter how hard you hit the gas if the tanks empty. So use Phase 1 to fill it back up.

Execute all of these strategies to make your mind buzz again:

#1 Clean Your Slate

Time to go dark.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, either cut them all out or severely limit their use.

I’m a firm believer in the power of solitude. And taking the time to disconnect from everything frees your mind.

Sure I’ve heard of people using social media for inspiration, but let’s be honest here, do you really scroll through your feeds to refuel, or do you let the constant flow of information numb your mind for hours on end?

Personal experience leads me to believe it’s the latter. So unplug from all that and take some time to breathe.

And while you’re at it, stay away from your own project as well. I know that sounds counterproductive but vacations are a thing for a reason.

Yeah, most of us abuse breaks to the point where we lose the benefits they should offer, but when used appropriately, they’re an excellent tool to rest and refocus.

Clear your mind of anything related to your project and unplug from all the other noise too. Retreating to an island will force you to find a new way of escape.

#2 Blaze a Trail

I’ve been told that I’m a little obnoxious at times. And no, not because of any attitude problems mind you.

It’s because, well, I walk a lot.

And I don’t mean walk as in, “Hey, it’s a beautiful day outside, let’s go for a walk.” It’s more like pace around the room for a solid hour while everyone watches in confusion.

It’s unfortunate that my habit is the cause of annoyance, but in times like these, it’s a necessary evil.

And the funny thing is, I advise you to the same thing.

Why is that?

Because walking is the closest thing to thinking in the shower—with the added benefits of clothes and a lower water bill.

donald trump creative wall walk — Abnormal, but effective.

I’ve had plenty of ideas pop in my head just from walking in circles. I’ve even introduced breaks where I do nothing but pace back and forth and track the best ideas I can think of.

So if you want to fill up on inspiration, do what I do. Find a nice path to walk—preferably inside your home—and keep your phone or notepad handy for when the ideas come to mind.

#3 Remember The Target

Hopefully you’re one of those fortunate people who has friends. If you are, go see them.

Sometimes we as creators get so wrapped up in our projects that we neglect those closest to us.

Yes, there are times where you have to prioritize your work over social events, and you can’t allow other lifestyles to dictate your own, but don’t completely ignore those closest to you.

A nice meal with friends or family is what you need the most right now. It will get your mind off work and shift the focus back to your real target—people.

All of this is about touching lives. And being with others in the flesh is the best way to remind yourself of that.

I for one know how much creativity means to people. I remember bolting from class with only the hope that my favorite content creators had published something new. And those people are part of the reason I do what I do today.

That’s why you need to be around others. The human side provides more inspiration than you’ll ever need.

#4 Watch Others Work

It’s hard to refuel when you’re surrounded by those stuck in the same monotony as you. So find people who do something a little different.

A strategy I use to fill up on creativity is to watch other artists and creators work. And it’s funny how watching them perform is contagious.

True artists aren’t bound to one medium or craft. They appreciate creativity across the board. And this appreciation for artists in other fields is what sparks original thought for your own.

I’m a huge basketball fan for example. And I love to watch highlight reels from certain players.

Kobe Bryant is probably the best creator I’ve personally seen on the court. And his Oscar-winning short film confirms the fact that he was an artist in a ball-player’s body:

But if I had to name my current go-to, it would be one of the most talented players to ever suit up for my favorite team, Kyrie Irving.

The man handles the ball like a Globetrotter, finishes the most acrobatic layups, hits historically clutch shots, and does it all while standing as a relatively small player:

Now I can’t get with most of his off the court stuff—although I’m convinced the whole flat earth thing was a joke from the start—but it’s impossible to watch this guy work and not feel inspired:

So if you need some new ideas to work with, just watch someone else create with theirs. Sports, fashion, music, animation, all of those art forms are ready and waiting for when you need it.

Just stay away from your own field as best as possible. You want to connect seemingly distant styles and ideas—not just copy someone and call it your own.

#5 Yes, You Did That

And here is the greatest way to gain inspiration during a slump:

Watch your highlights.

Review the best work you’ve ever produced for a reminder of what you can do when you’re “on”.

And no, this isn’t intended to be a narcissistic exercise. It’s pure self encouragement.

Hitting the wall will devastate you if your head’s not in the right place. So just seeing a glimpse of what’s not only creative, but also something you’re directly responsible for will give you hope.

I’ve read just about all my posts over the past few weeks, and it’s given me the confidence I desperately needed.

You should go back and do the same.

Take a look at what you did in the past, and remind yourself that you’re more than capable of doing it again.

Phase 2: Let Loose

So now that you’ve soaked up all this inspiration, it’s time to wring it out.

If you stop after Phase 1 and don’t capitalize on your renewal, the only thing you will have done is procrastinated.

But don’t refuel to relax. Refuel to resurge.

Use Phase 2 to unleash your new ideas and produce them in fresh ways:

#1 Save the Date

Always have a deadline.

Sure, it’s great to get the creative juices flowing again, but the reality is you still have work to do. And if you don’t set a firm deadline, your quick refuel will turn into retirement.

There comes a point where you just have to put your foot down and say this is when it’s gonna happen. Otherwise it won’t get done.

Remember that the downside of working on your own is that it is all on you. Your friends can’t do it. Your coworkers don’t care. And no amount of wishes will make it happen.

Either you do the work or you don’t.

It really is that simple.

#2 Raise the Dead

Another quick way I’ve found to get out of a creative rut is to stop creating altogether.

It’s easier to innovate than it is to create. So instead of pulling original content out of your head, repurpose the material you’ve already cut:

Take the post you thought you’d never publish and combine it with other pieces that weren’t good enough in the past.
Grab video clips of your mistakes and mash them into a blooper reel.
Find your old mediocre artwork and contrast it against a current project to showcase your improvement.

There’s no limit to what you can do with your so-called scraps. So always keep a graveyard of unpublished work. Then give life to certain pieces as you see fit.

No production process will ever be perfect. But what you call trash now might be what keeps you afloat in the future.

#3 Get the Worm

I don’t care what anyone else says about this:

The best time to create is in the morning.

You won’t be hampered by other commitments since you’ll probably be the only one out of bed. And if you were smart enough to get eight hours of sleep beforehand, your mind will be as fresh as possible.

Going through a full day of dullness takes its toll on you, and it is incredibly hard to flip a switch and become energetic again. That’s why I recommend you move your creative work to the start of the day.

You won’t have to worry about lingering cobwebs if you do, and hardly anyone will be around to bother you. Your brain will even give you a head start by running thoughts in the background while you’re asleep. So you’ll have plenty of new ideas in the morning.

Just make sure you treat this like any other serious work. Don’t lounge in your pj’s for 30 minutes and then try to throw something together in a fraction of the time.

Hit the alarm, make your bed, hop in the shower, and get dressed. Then you’ll be ready to go.

You can’t expect to take care of business if you don’t show your work the respect it deserves.

So get a good night’s rest and prepare for the work ahead. One hour in the AM is worth far more than what you can give later.

#4 Freestyle

I’m a stickler for organization.

Not because I’m OCD or anything. It’s moreso because I know how crucial it is for productivity. The less effort you expend to find time to work or plan ahead, the more focus you can devote to actual content.

A big problem occurs, however, when the routine that kept you in check becomes nothing more than a ritual.

So how do you combat the downside of your once reliable structure?

You freestyle.

You take a step back and create like a kid who’s never worked a day in his life.

donald trump creative wall freestyle — Plans aren’t always necessary.

You forget all the planning and the structure and just get after it instead.

You grab an idea you want to explore and then dive into it without any other resources. Pull out the first thing that comes to your mind and roll with it until you’ve produced some reasonable content.

And then instead of mulling over your creative slump for hours on end, you will have just created your first draft—in about 15 minutes.

Don’t worry about it being perfect though. You can always revise drafts and scripts later. It’s more important to get something on that screen.

No creator makes great work on the first run. And if you saw your favorite artist’s first draft, you would never look at them the same.

But the difference between you and them is that they got that draft out of the way and went on to chisel it into a masterpiece.

So don’t be afraid of the freestyle. At worst, it will leave you with raw material to refine later.

#5 Go Back to Basics

Any time I hit a wall, I try to rediscover the joy my journey has brought me.

And no, I’m not saying I gloat over money, readers, or subscribers—I barely get any of those from this anyway. I’m talking about the times when I was so excited to do what I take for granted now.

I remember writing like this for the first time and being so happy to have work of my own to do again. I used to be up at 5AM with the door closed just writing what ever came to mind.

It was pure joy to me then. All I had to do was create.

I reviewed my work after the first draft and then moved on to the second, and the third, and the fourth, until I just stopped counting because it was never as good as I knew it could be.

And I loved that challenge. I loved taking raw ideas and turning them into something legible.

I didn’t care what other people thought then. I didn’t care that I spent yet another weekend locked in my room. That’s the happiest I’ve been in a long time.

I just wanted to create, man.

You gotta get back to the basics too. Go back to the old way of doing things and rekindle that romance with your craft.

Think about the first time you picked up a pen to write, or maybe how much fun you had editing a video you knew wouldn’t get any views.

It’s nostalgic stuff like that that keeps me from staying in slumps of my own. And I guarantee that if you get back to some of your old ways, that screen of yours will not stay blank.