Winton Eliott
Do you find yourself sometimes struggling to get over a mental block? This occurs to everyone at some point in their lives, not just artists or creatives.
Everyone has experienced blocking of creativity, inspiration, and clarity at some point which makes it difficult for us to perform our best.
When we hit a wall at work, it’s usually because we’re rushing, our environment is crummy, we lack information, or resulting from multitasking or an excess of work.
Our internal movement seizes up, and we become blocked: we don’t understand the problem at hand, can’t seem to make a decision, or have no clue what strategy to follow next.
Then it becomes our job to figure out how to get past that mental block.
Here are some tips to get over a mental block
Take a break
One of the most effective is to simply take a break. Once you’ve been staring at the same page for too long, it’s easy to get tunnel vision and lose sight of the bigger picture.
Stepping away from your work for even a few minutes can help refresh your mind and give you a new perspective.
Taking a walk, listening to music, or reading something unrelated to your task can all help clear your head and jumpstart your creativity.
If you find yourself struggling with a mental block, don’t be afraid to step away from your work for a few minutes. It could just be the break you need to get unstuck.
Talk it out with someone
Sometimes talking it out with someone else can help us view the situation from a different perspective. This could be a colleague, friend, or even a therapist.
Being able to vocalize your thoughts and concerns can help you organize them and come up with new ideas.
It also helps to have another person’s input and feedback on the situation. Talking it out with someone can also help relieve stress and anxiety, which can often contribute to mental blocks.
Examine the root cause
When hitting a mental block, it’s important to take a step back and examine the root cause.
Is it a lack of information or resources?
Are you overwhelmed by too much work?
Are personal issues affecting your ability to focus?
Once you are able to identify the underlying issue, it becomes easier to come up with a solution. It could mean asking for help, delegating tasks, or taking care of personal matters before addressing work issues.
Challenge yourself
When stuck in a rut, it can be helpful to challenge yourself and think outside the box. Ask yourself what a successful or innovative person in your field would do in this situation.
How can you approach the problem from a different angle? It’s important to push yourself and try new things, instead of just sticking to your usual habits and ways of thinking.
Don’t be afraid to fail
It’s important to remember not to be afraid to fail. Sometimes the fear of failure can hinder us and prevent us from trying new things or taking risks.
But without failure, there can be no growth or progress. So don’t let your fear hold you back and keep you stuck in a mental block.
Take calculated risks and learn from any mistakes that may occur.
Do more physical activity
Physical activity and exercise can do wonders for our mental state. It releases endorphins, reduces stress, and can improve focus and clarity.
Going for a run or participating in a fun physical activity can not only improve your physical health but also help clear up any mental blocks you may be facing.
So don’t underestimate the power of getting your blood pumping and getting your body moving. It just might be the solution you need to overcome that mental block.
Meditate
Similar to physical activity, practicing meditation and mindfulness can also help improve mental clarity and reduce stress.
Taking just a few minutes out of your day to focus on your breathing and clear your mind can do wonders for boosting creativity and overcoming mental blocks.
So don’t forget to make time for some relaxation and self-reflection.
Focus on the present
It’s easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of overthinking and worrying about the future. But oftentimes, this can only add to our stress and prevent us from making progress in the present moment.
Try to focus on what you can do right now instead of getting overwhelmed by thoughts of the future. This can help keep your mind clear and allow you to focus on finding a solution to your mental block.
Make a to-do list
Sometimes a mental block can stem from feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks and responsibilities we have to handle.
Creating a to-do list and organizing your thoughts can help alleviate some of that stress and allow you to focus on one task at a time.
It also gives you a sense of accomplishment as you check off each item on the list.
So don’t let everything pile up in your head – write it down and tackle it one step at a time.
Mental blocks can happen to anyone and it’s important to have strategies in place to overcome them. By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to break through any mental blocks and get back on track to success.
