Ask the Readers: What’s Your Most Frustrating Creative Block?Accidental Creative

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Ask the Readers: What’s Your Most Frustrating Creative Block?

By Mindy Holahan

Todd’s recent article on the value of solitude prompted me to consider the big creative blocks in my life.

Obligation is my most frustrating creative block. As long as a project is voluntary, I bubble over with creative energy and impassioned execution. But the moment I commit myself in a formal, on-the-hook fashion, a metal gate slams shut between me and my creative drive.

Obligation immediately transforms an intriguing puzzle into a chore.

Intellectually, I recognize that it’s a stubborn, amateur response. And yet, emotionally, I fight it on a daily basis.

Do you feel as I feel?

In the comments below, tell us about the creative block that consistently erodes your drive to create.

Is it an emotional response like mine? Is it a critical voice that nags you as you work? Or perhaps it’s a lack of solitude as Todd described.

For bonus points, share what tricks you have developed to push past the block, enabling you to do your best work.

Photo credit: Zach Klein

About Mindy Holahan

Mindy's passions are writing and teaching people to use new tools, from technology to crafts. You can connect with her on Twitter, at MindyHolahan.com, and at her Make Cool Stuff column at The Nerdist.

FTC Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be "affiliate" links, especially those to Amazon.com. AC will receive a commission if you buy the product through these links. We only endorse products we like.

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Comments

http://www.writeawaywithme.com/ Beth Cregan

Obligation ususally nails me down and makes me accountable but fear can paralyse me. What if I can’t do it? What if it’s not good enough?

http://www.intunestudios.com/ Dave Mariano

Beth, I’m right there with you. That is my single biggest battle over the past few months. I’m trying to toss those fears aside one day, one project at a time. I long for the day that this fear is a distant memory…for both of us.

FJR

I can sometimes stay too long with a ‘sinking ship,” which is to say an environment or project that is unlikely to work out well. This becomes a time sink that interferes with the energy available for more fruitful undertakings.

http://twitter.com/HolaMindy Mindy Holahan

Oh yes, the problem of sunk costs. It’s so hard to know when to cut your losses, isn’t it?

http://iamconvicted.com Brett Henley

My block usually manifests as inconsistency. Which I assume is a direct response to how important the task is. Sometimes I’m spot on, others not even close.
http://twitter.com/rdopping Ralph Dopping

Hey Mindy, great post.
May I suggest you read Daniel Pink’s book Drive. Some solid ideas in there about motivation. It has opened my eyes to what drives us to create. Also, Steven Pressfield’s Do the Work has some solid ideas on the recognition of resistance. What drives us to block our creativity.

I am quite the opposite to you. If I have boundaries or obligations i usually do my best work. That is primarliy why I set deadlines for myself in my blog and if I didn’t I would never get anything done. My biggest issue is the possibility of endless variations when I don’t have any boundaries. Hope this helps.