Every so often the creative juices dry up. We can’t pull a concept out to save our lives. Blank canvases and empty pages are insurmountable. We’ve been doing this (whatever this is) for so long that we can’t see straight. Temptation tells us to quit, go on safari or become monks in far off places. Or we can attack our burnout head on and take it down. But how?

Here are the five things I do:

1. Change My Environment – This sounds strangely like safari or monkishness but it doesn’t have to be so extreme. I have a comfy chair in my office that I’ll sit in to break from my computer. I keep a few poetry books that I’ll read in said comfy chair. The brief mental break (sometimes no more than five minutes) can be enough to distract and recharge to get me back in the groove.
2. Good, New or Louder Music – Nothing inspires me like music. When I’m coming up  with nothing I often (more often than I should) find new music to inspire and rejuvenate. On rare occasions when nothing strikes my fancy I dig into my library and find an artist I haven’t listened to in a long time. And when that fails, I just turn up the volume and lose myself in the music. Actually, I should start loud and work my backwards…
3. Fresh Air – Go out for a walk. Outside is preferable but if it’s too rainy, cold, or hot (don’t be so picky) even around the office will help.
4. People – Strike up a conversation. Share a laugh. The point is, get outside of yourself and into someone’s world. Simply stepping out of your head can be enough to be inspired. After all, life is about the people around you. It’s no surprise that they might inspire you.
5. A Day Off – If none of these work, it may be time to take a day off. Deadlines be damned, you’ll work better if you are refreshed. A day to yourself, with friends or family can be the break your brain needs from the task at hand. And, please, don’t bring work home with you on your day off. Let it stay where its supposed to be… at work.

Honestly, I had to do all of these recently to be able to get back in my groove. A little relaxation goes a long way. What sort of things do you do to fight burnout? Is it painting, sketching, reading? A stiff drink?

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Related Posts