Often we get stuck. Stuck in the mud. Stuck in the doldrums. Stuck in a rut. It is imperative for ones creative drive to figure out what it is that pulls you out of it. What does it take to prime your proverbial pump and get enthusiasm and drive going again. Here is a short list of suggestions.

#1 Try some physical activity. We once had a professor admit that she always used to go dancing the night before a big exam. The freedom and abandon eased her worries and left her free to do her best work the next day. We also suggest going for a run over varied terrain, as in the foothills or through a park. Pickup games are also great if you enjoy a particular sport such as volleyball, tennis or basketball. The key is to find something that focuses your energy and doesn’t leave you much time to dwell on any particular thought.

#2 Revisit something that has inspired you in the past. It may be a book, a picture or a song but simply enjoying some work of art that you love can get those creative juices flowing. Just be sure that you don’t sit and stare desperately at it hoping for a flash of lighting. Enjoy. Delight beats worry any day.

#3 Make a short list of mundane chores that need to be done anyway and complete them. The mindlessness combined with the sense of accomplishment will leave you feeling confident and capable. Great ingredients for moments of genius.

#4 Call someone up that stimulates your intellect and invite them for coffee or dinner. Often times one needs variety of perspective to shake up your mental routine. It is not necessary to talk about the area in which one is stymied but is in fact better to dwell on other topics and let the mind excercise in a pressure-free zone.

#5 Visit The Complete Woman and try learning one of the new skills taught there…