My Top 10 Ways to Cure Creative Blocks

We all hit creative blocks (or writers blocks), but how do you overcome them? Here are 10 ways I’ve been able to destroy creative blocks and keep pushing forward. These are in no particular order.

Leave your desk/office/couch. It’s easy to sit all day and focus on emails, work, writing, etc etc. Take time throughout the day to get up and leave that comfortable chair or couch.
Exercise. If you can workout on your lunch break, you’ll see increased productivity immediately. As you raise your endorphin levels brain function will increase. Plus it’s always good to blow off a little steam and sweat!
Be social. Especially if you work from home, you need other interaction with human beings. It stimulates new thoughts, opinions and can help you break through any wall. If you’re in an office, make it a point to visit someone outside your immediate work space.
Watch YouTube videos. It may sound like a joke, but I find a ton of inspiration by watching videos that are funny, interesting or just visually fun to look at. Try it for 20-30 minutes, but be sure to get back to work…
Read a completely different blog/website. We all get comfortable with our day to day muses and this hurts creativity. Check out sites like FFFFound, Boing Boing, Cool Hunter, LOLcats, etc. Anything from the norm will help.
Check up on your competition. This is a bit harder for me, but in any industry you should be able to see what your competitors are/have been doing. This should inspire you to dominate their souls, especially if they’re doing well.
Watch an inspiration movie. Somewhat along the lines of YouTube, but force yourself to watch something you may not normally pick. Whether it’s a documentary or a subject matter out of your comfort zone. One movie I highly recommend is Powder.
Take a break. Sometimes the best way to overcome a hurdle or obstacle is to step away from it for awhile and then come back later. Don’t give up on it, but give it time. Rome wasn’t built in 1 day!
Take a vacation. I don’t believe you have to completely disconnect when you take a vacation, but I also can’t. Spend a little money, go somewhere you’ve never been and take a deep breath.
Do something you’ve never done. This can be as simple as being a sketchbook and drawing random things throughout your day. Maybe start a vegetable garden? Take up a brand new sport that you’ve never played? Anything to break up the norm.

These ideas are meant for everyone, but everyone should be able to try one or two. Get over that creative block and start kicking @$$ again. Feel free to add any of your own tips in the comments.