5 Methods For Creatives To Overcome The Crippling Blocks To Original Ideas

Did you know that you judge ideas more harshly when you feel uncertain?

In this article, we explore some of the crippling blocks to creativity and five methods to overcome them.

William Blake reminded us — in chilling words — that the person who does not alter their opinion in the face of new knowledge is like a “stagnant pool which breeds reptiles of the mind” — Photo by Krystian Piątek

What gets in your way?

Your fear of making mistakes or taking a risk is one of the most common emotional blocks to your creativity.

James L. Adams, the author of Conceptual Blockbusting, also lists “an inability to tolerate ambiguity and the overriding desire for order” as a block.

You can jump down this rabbit hole if you like 🐇

6 Emotional Barriers to Generating Ideas and How to Overcome Them - Tom Barrett's Blog

Here’s @JimAdamsSU again

You must usually wallow in misleading and ill-fitting data, hazy and difficult-to-test concepts, opinions, values, and other such untidy quantities.

When it comes to problem-solving, your ability to tolerate ambiguity is vital. This emergent idea space is where you make unexpected insights and new connections.