As hard as we try to make the best use of our free time towards our creativity. There are always those days when the heart just isn’t behind the work and we struggle to be productive. Be on the lookout for these Creativity Killers so you can put them to bed and get motivated!
1) Television
This one is a no-brainer. I’m sure you all know that it’s hard to form an original thought while immersed in a rousing rendition of your favorite show. Now that the new TV season is upon us I know that shows like Fringe are going to suck up a bit of my free time and I’m ok with that. But the problem lies in that many of us have the idiot box (and they call it that for a reason) on all day in the background – even when we aren’t really watching it. If it’s a re-run, turn it off. If you aren’t really watching it, turn it off. If you have something else to do, don’t try and do it with the TV nattering at you in the background. Turn it off and turn your focus on.
2) Lack of organization
Clutter is a killer of free time and free thinking. It’s so oppressive. Our time for ourselves is so precious we can’t have minutes flittering away into nothingness because we can’t find our scissors or that special pen or what ever else you might need to complete your project. If we’re organized then we are able to get down to business at a moments notice.
3) Chaos
Life with kids is a whirlwin of fun, frustration and emotion. As much as we love this about our children, we also need to teach them that there are times for play and there are times for quiet. You’ll be teaching them a life skill when you show them that it is ok to sit and read a book by themselves. They will learn to focus. They will learn to turn inwards. Even if it is only for 30 seconds at a time, teach your children about relaxation and you’ll be doing both of you a favor. As they get older, you’ll be able to work on your creative endeavors while your little one colors, reads or does a puzzle beside you.
4) Perfectionism
This goes back to the quote I posted for Monday’s Muse. Just because we don’t feel we have the time to do a perfect job, or a complete job doesn’t mean we shouldn’t begin. Don’t talk yourself out of it by thinking a little bit isn’t worth doing.
5) Fatigue
I’m always foggy when I feel tired. I know that sometimes it can’t be avoided – like the other night when little H woke up at midnight with teething pain and refused to go back to bed until we’d exhausted a whole rigmarole of tricks. But on days that you stay up surfing the net (I’m bad for this one) or watching those TV shows we talked about while half awake, you could have grabbed a precious hour of extra sleep making you bright and ready to roll the next morning.
What is your biggest block? What do you do to overcome them? Share in comments 
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I particularly struggle with fatigue it seems. I definitely am not at my creative best when I’m exhausted.
My biggest on is definitely TV. And yes, Fringe has moved up to be my top shows for the Fall now.
-Amy @ The Q Family
I will add House and Eureka to the list of shows that keep me from doing what I should be doing. Yea! for the the miracle of DVR but boo! because now I can have marathons on my tv as I will watch one DVR’d show after another.
My biggest blocks are chaos (my kids are so noisy!), clutter (how do things get out of order so fast?) and being tired and/or sick/not feeling well. How do I deal with them? Well, I try to declutter on a regular basis, I have — most recently — been going to bed earlier and tune out my younger kids! LOL… no, I have been trying to get them to play or do whatever quietly and independently. As far as TV goes I have a DVR so I usually watch my favorite shows while I eat lunch.
I would have to say the distraction of my kids is a huge creative killer for me. I need to let them know that when they see me working to leave me alone and go ask their Dad! lol!!
I am definitely guilty of a lot of these, surfing the net is a big one. My plan right now is to stick to the two shows that I love (Project Runway and Law and Order) and say no to anything else. I also try to get online with a clear purpose like to list things on my shop or to write on my blog, no mindless surfing here!
You have these nails right on the head. I have had some major challenges these past couple of years and for a good while could not figure out why I was suddenly drained of all creativity. Fatigue, stress, tv, chaos, clutter…all so true!