Creative Rut? Use Brainstorming Techniques to Climb Your Way Out

ByLisa Hirst Carnes
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Illustration of tangled cords inside a mind getting untangled.

Last week, I sat down to write, and the well was dry. Not only was I having trouble focusing (granted, it was Christmas week), I couldn’t think of any topics for our editorial calendar. Not being able to think of any new topic ideas rarely happens to me. I consider myself a pretty creative person with no shortage of ideas. Execution is another story.

During a check-in with a team member, I expressed my frustration over my recent lack of ideas. She was helpful. Thanks, Elin. This got me thinking. Could I be experiencing a bit of a creative rut? If so, what can I do about it? Thinking about this and many rabbit holes later, it occurred to me that if I’m feeling this, maybe some of you are too. 
 
This blog covers some ideas to get your juices flowing again and climb out of a creative rut. 

Simple Tips for Getting Out of a Creative Rut

Take a Break

Step away from your work and do something else you enjoy. This can help clear your mind and give you a fresh perspective when you return to your work. 

Change Your Environment

Sometimes, a change of scenery can be just the thing to get your creative juices flowing. Try working in a different location or even rearranging your workspace. Bonus! It feels great to have a tidy workspace!

Illustration of man working in a hammock.

Get Some Exercise

Physical activity can help get your blood flowing and can also be a great way to clear your mind. Take a walk, go for a run, or try a new workout to see if it helps spark some creative ideas. I recently started using Asana Rebel to add more structure to my workouts. So far, so good! 

Collaborate with Others

Sometimes, working with others can help stimulate new ideas and perspectives. Try working with a group or brainstorming with a colleague or friend.

Freewriting or Stream-of-Consciousness Writing

This technique allows you to write whatever comes to mind without worrying about grammar, structure, or coherence. It can help you get past blocks and come up with new ideas. Don’t censor yourself, just go for it!

Use Prompts of Constraints

Setting limitations for yourself can sometimes be a good way to stimulate creativity. Try using prompts or constraints to inspire new ideas.

Relax and Unwind

Relaxation techniques like meditation or mindfulness can help you clear your mind and focus on the present moment, which can be helpful for brainstorming.

Remember, it’s normal to hit creative roadblocks from time to time. The important thing is not to get too discouraged and to keep trying different techniques until you find what works for you.

Brainstorming Techniques

Over the 25 years at ArcStone, we’ve worked with a few business coaches. One lesson I’ve taken away is the importance of new ways to collaborate and brainstorm.

 
Not only do these ideas work well for planning sessions, they’re also effective for setting goals, generating ideas, and building trust. 
 

Ready? Find your Post-Its and take a little trip down the brainstorming rabbit hole with me. 

Idea Tree

An idea tree is a visual brainstorming tool that helps you organize and expand upon your ideas. It consists of a central idea or topic at the top, with branches representing subtopics. These subtopics can have their branches, representing even more specific ideas.

arcstone-blog-content-idea-tree

Here’s an example of how an idea tree might look:

Central Idea: Vacation Destination

Beach

Beachfront hotel

  • Water sports
  • Laying on the beach reading while drinking piña coladas

Mountain

Cabin rental

  • Hiking trails
  • Skiing and snowboarding

City

Posh hotel

  • Museums, galleries, and sightseeing
  • Restaurants and food
By organizing your ideas this way, you can rank and select the most promising.
 
To create an idea tree, use a whiteboard or paper and pen or a digital tool like a mind map or concept map. Whatever method you choose, the idea tree is a useful tool for expanding upon your ideas in a structured way.

Venn Diagram

A Venn diagram is a visual tool used to compare and contrast ideas or concepts. It consists of two or more circles that overlap in the middle, with each circle representing a different concept. The overlapping area represents the commonalities, while the non-overlapping areas represent the unique aspects.
 
To use a Venn diagram for brainstorming, start by identifying two or more concepts to compare. Then, draw a circle for each idea and label it with the name of the idea. Next, brainstorm the attributes of each idea and place them in the appropriate circle. Finally, look for commonalities between ideas and place those in the overlapping areas.
 

Here’s an example of how a Venn diagram might be used for brainstorming:

Idea 1: Vacation Destination

  • Warm weather
  • Beaches
  • Outdoor activities
  • Good food

Idea 2: Vacation Destination

  • Cold weather
  • Ski resorts
  • Outdoor activities
  • Good food

Idea 3: Vacation Destination

  • Moderate weather
  • Hotels
  • Cultural attractions
  • Good food

Venn Diagram:

Example of venn diagram.

In this example, the overlapping area represents the commonality of good food. By comparing each, you can generate new ideas and areas for further exploration.

Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a visual brainstorming tool to help organize and expand upon ideas. It involves creating a visual map representing your ideas and their relationships.
 
To use mind mapping for brainstorming, you can start by identifying a main idea or topic at the center of the map. Then, draw branches radiating out from the center, each representing a related idea. You can continue to add branches and subbranches as needed, representing specific details.
 
You can also use different colors, symbols, and images to help organize your ideas. You might use colors to differentiate categories or images to represent abstract concepts.
 

Here’s an example of how a mind map might look:

Diagram of example mindmap.

Mind mapping can help you see the relationships between ideas and develop new ones. You can also use the mind map to rank and select the most promising ideas to pursue further.
 
Many software programs are available for creating mind maps, including Mural and EdrawMind. Whatever method you choose, mind mapping can be a helpful brainstorming tool.

Post-it Notes

Post-it notes may be old school, but they’re a simple and effective way to generate ideas. Start by writing the main idea or topic at the center of a large piece of paper or whiteboard. Then, write related ideas on individual post-it notes and place them around the main idea.
 
You can use colors or symbols to represent categories or to highlight specific ideas. You can also draw lines between the post-it notes to show the relationships between ideas.
 

Here’s an example of how a mind map created with post-it notes might look:

Example of post it note organization.

By using post-it notes, you can rearrange and reorganize your ideas as needed. You can also group themes or add new ideas by placing new post-it notes in the appropriate location on the mind map.
 
Post-it notes can be a quick and flexible way to brainstorm and organize your ideas. It’s also a great option if you don’t have access to a computer or other digital tools.

Improv

Improv isn’t only for actors! Improvisation is a form of theatre in which participants create scenes spontaneously. Improv can involve acting, storytelling, and problem-solving, and it requires quick thinking. 
 
Improv can help in brainstorming ideas because it encourages creativity, collaboration, and flexibility. When improvising, you have to come up with ideas on the spot, and you have to be open to new ideas from others. This can help you break out of your normal thought patterns and come up with creative solutions. This can also be a fun way to build trust and brainstorm in a group.
 

The six golden rules of improvisation | Claudine Ullman | TEDxJohannesburg

There are a few ways you can incorporate improvisation into your brainstorming process:

  1. Warm up with improv games: Before you start brainstorming, try playing some simple improv games to get your creativity flowing. These can be as simple as “Yes, and,” where you build on each other’s ideas by adding to them, or “Word at a Time,” where you create a story by taking turns saying one word at a time.
  2. Use improvisation techniques in your brainstorming sessions: Try using techniques like “Yes, and,” “Free Association,” and “Object Work” to come up with new ideas. “Yes, and” involves building on each other’s ideas and expanding upon them. “Free Association” involves quickly saying the first thing that comes to mind in response to a prompt or idea. “Object Work” involves using an object as inspiration for a scene or idea.
  3. Practice improvisation on your own: If you’re working on your own, try improvising a scene or story based on a prompt or theme. This can help you practice coming up with ideas quickly and thinking on your feet.

Incorporating improvisation can help you think creatively, collaborate effectively, and come up with new ideas.

I’m sure by now you get the idea. I’m ready for a vacation. (Psst. I’ll be in Mexico next week.) No, but really, brainstorming techniques can be a powerful tool for getting out of a creative rut. They can stimulate ideas and break through mental blocks by encouraging free thinking.  

Give yourself permission to come up with as many ideas as possible, no matter how unrealistic they may seem! Doing so can expand your thinking and find new ways to approach problems. So next time you’re feeling stuck, try using some brainstorming techniques to get your creative juices flowing and find new solutions to your challenges.