If you are anything at all like me, there are times when your creative ideas tend to flow faster than other times.
In particular, I seem to get great ideas when they are related to other people's projects. When it comes to my own projects ideas seem to dry up.
Why is this?
Reason #1-Myopic Viewpoint
The main reason this occurs for many people has to do with relaxation. Often times when we are thinking about our own projects we have a huge load of emotional connection that overly increases the perceived importance of our project.
This increased value causes us to go into caution mode. This mental lock box causes a myopic view of the possibilities and options that are available. This 500ft view of the issue prevents us from exploring perfectly valid solutions.
Generally, when this occurs we also get into a bit of panic mode, especially if there is a deadline associated with the project.
The solution to this is to begin all projects early. As soon as you know something needs to be done, do not delay. By beginning the project early you have an opportunity to get your subconscious mind involved. When you understand a problem and have time to relax, your mind will work on the solution without you having to consciously think of ideas. These subconscious ideas will suddenly pop into your mind. You must capture these!
The first day you have a project, begin by taking a 50,000ft view of it. Get an idea of what is involved and what the best ultimate result would be if you project were a 100% success.
Once you have this understanding, set the project aside for a few days. If you are on a very short timetable, set it aside for a while, but only so much that you have at least half of the overall time left to finish the project.
If you need to, do some relaxation exercises or focus on something else. Even work on another project if you have it. If you have any ideas pop up, quickly write them down and get back to your other project.
When you re-approach your project, make sure to prep your mindset. You want to come in with the thought that you are just taking a look for a friend. If you are relaxed and have the right mindset, you should have some ideas pop up. Write these down. When the ideas are all on paper, you should find that you have more options and possibilities to begin attacking the project in ernest.
Reason #2-Fear Of Failure
The second reason that we tend to have a more difficult time finding solutions to our challenges vs. the challenges of friends is that we have to suffer the consequences.
When we look at a friend's project there is no benefit or detriment to us regardless of the outcome. This allows us to be free to explore any and all options without fear.
When it comes to our projects, we automatically (and sometimes subconsciously) disregard ideas that are out of the box. We also tend to disregard ideas based on how unsure we are of their outcome. Unless we know it will work, we fear the unknown and push the idea aside.
Again, by stepping outside ourself and look at the situation as a bystander we can help to reduce the negative impact that fear can have on us.
How To Step Outside Of Yourself
Chances are at some point in your life you have already done this. Can you remember a time when something you did seemed surreal? You watched the event unfolding but you had that feeling of being an observer instead of being involved. If you remember this feeling, try to put yourself in that mode again while looking at your project.
If you are not sure what the feeling is or how to get there, you can practice this. Sit at a table in a room that you are very familiar with. Take a few deep breaths, letting them out slowly. Close your eyes. Start to imagine that you are standing a few feet behind the chair looking at yourself sitting there. Imagine what your posture looks like from behind. Imagine what your hair looks like. Create a mental picture of yourself and actually see it. After a few minutes raise your right hand and see your hand raise in the mental picture you are creating. Put it down and do the same with the left hand. Keep breathing in a slow fluid manner. When you are finished, visualize walking up and sitting back down into yourself and slowly open your eyes.
If you do this exercise a few times it will get easier and easier. Then, when working on a project, do the same thing and pretend that the guy in the chair is a consultation client or a friend and you are just going to give them a bunch of ideas that they can consider for their project.
Write down any ideas that come to mind and consider each one later.
Ultimately, the entire post is about freeing yourself and giving yourself permission to explore any possibilities as they relate to your challenges. You are a creative person and you deserve to benefit from your creative ability!
Best of luck!
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