Feed Your Brain

Your brain needs fuel for inspiration, so it makes sense to consume a variety of materials to get the ideas flowing. And, importantly, those materials don’t have to be related to the task at hand.

When the content you’re writing is confounding you, try taking a break and reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to a podcast. TED talks, in particular, are great brain food — not to mention inspiring. There’s even a TED talk playlist especially designed to kickstart your creativity. Taking your mind elsewhere will give you the headspace you need and allow new ideas to develop.

Get out of the Office

It’s amazing what a change of scenery can do for your creativity. No matter how great your office space is, there are times when you’ll get stuck in a rut and feel like you need to reset. Changing your environment exposes your brain to new stimuli, which can lead to more innovative thinking. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a trip to the local coffee shop, or sitting in a park, getting out of your work bubble — even if only for a little while — can pay big dividends.

Play a Game

Studies show that playing video games can have a positive effect on a person’s creative processes. Games often require critical thinking and those that offer challenges prompt you to think in different ways. Whether it’s Candy Crush or Minecraft, The Sims or Tetris, pause and focus your full attention on a fun task for a while. Even while you’re busy playing the game, your brain will be working in the background, coming up with creative solutions to your content needs.

Keep Notes and Files for Future Reference

Imagine having a resource full of great ideas and inspiration every time you need it. Creating one isn’t hard and you’ll be thankful you have it every time you get stuck. Whether you use an old fashioned notebook or an app like Evernote, every time you see an interesting article or blog post, web page, book, or topic, bookmark it and save it for later. Just skimming through your lists can spark a fresh idea when the well has run dry.

Listen to Classical Music

Research has proven that certain types of music can enhance creative thinking. Einstein, for example, credited listening to Mozart with stimulating his creative thinking. Not all music will do this, but scientists have found that listening to happy music when you’re working can give you a creative boost. Classical music — particularly works that are positive and energetic such as those by Vivaldi — appear to produce the best results. So get out the noise-canceling headphones and start exploring the world of classical compositions.

Kick Start Your Creativity

Even the most seasoned professionals struggle from time to time with the pressure of creating interesting, fresh content every day. Rather than trying to force your brain to comply when inspiration is thin, try some of these easy ways to get your mind back on track. You’ll be happy you did.

To learn more about creating delicious business content — the kind that sets you apart and helps you meet your business objectives — download The 9 Ingredients You Need to Create Better Content.