{"id":84261,"date":"2022-11-12T14:48:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-12T18:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=84261"},"modified":"2022-11-22T16:00:32","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T20:00:32","slug":"how-to-overcome-mental-blocks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-overcome-mental-blocks\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Overcome Mental Blocks & Reignite Your Creativity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you get stuck on a task, what do you do? How can understanding brain science help you get going again?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the work you do, it involves some degree of creativity. That requires mental energy<\/a>, and sometimes the energy just isn’t there. Business consultant David Rock explains the basics of what a mental block looks like and proposes three steps to reactivate your creativity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue reading to learn how to overcome mental blocks by understanding how your brain works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to Overcome Mental Blocks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Creativity is a cognitive function that requires a significant amount of mental energy, and most jobs today require creativity to some degree. With technology advancing at an exponential rate, many workers must create solutions to problems that haven\u2019t been seen before or invent new ways to distinguish their work from what\u2019s already been done. When your brain doesn\u2019t have an adequate amount of energy or loses focus, you can experience mental blocks. Rock offers advice on how to overcome mental blocks after explaining the science behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too Much Creativity Can Be Counterproductive<\/strong>

While innovation is an important part of business, some business experts warn against over-emphasizing creativity when hiring new employees<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>Conforming to company policies, like following repetitive procedures and completing mundane tasks, is necessary if employees are to contribute effectively to a company\u2019s operations. When a company prioritizes creativity, it must allocate time for brain-storming (which may or may not produce tangible results), accept failures as part of the process, and enforce changes if the ideas are implemented\u2014all practices that can be disruptive in the workplace. When it comes to hiring, experts of this philosophy suggest looking less for evidence of creativity and more for evidence of work ethic and follow-through.  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Science<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Creativity is the process of taking various networks in our brains and creating new combinations<\/strong>. Rock calls the new network insight<\/em> and a mental block to finding new connections an impasse<\/em>. An impasse <\/em>can occur when the prefrontal cortex<\/a> is low on energy or the limbic system<\/a> is distracting you from going through your networks efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, imagine you\u2019re trying to come up with a creative way to present your latest project, but the previous presentation didn\u2019t go well. The memory of the unsuccessful presentation keeps popping up and distracts you from gaining insight<\/em> into your new project. Additionally, in your anxious state, you forgot your lunch and haven\u2019t been able to refuel from this morning\u2019s tasks with glucose. According to Rock, you\u2019re not going to be able to access your creativity unless you can work through this impasse<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Break an Impasse With Hypnosis<\/strong>

Preliminary studies suggest that hypnosis may help in breaking creative impasses, paving the way for insights.<\/strong><\/a> It may be that the deep state of relaxation refuels the brain and clears pathways for new neural connections to be formed. Hypnotherapy (therapy using hypnosis) is trending in some mental health circles, and some wellness experts encourage trying it for yourself by following a few simple steps:<\/a>

Start by setting your intention<\/strong>. As an example, if you\u2019re at an impasse<\/em>, you could state your goal as gaining insight into your specific problem.

Open your mind to suggestion<\/strong>. To do this, close your eyes and engage with your other senses. For example, imagine each part of your body slowly winding down and relaxing.

Think (or listen to a recording of) positive affirmations<\/a>. <\/strong>Foster an optimistic state of mind by reinforcing positive qualities about yourself. For example, think, \u201cI am creative,\u201d or \u201cI am intelligent.\u201d Positive affirmations help clear any anxiety or insecurity around an issue and encourage your mind to welcome solutions.

Visualize the results.<\/strong> Picture what it will be like once you come up with the answer. Will you be proud of yourself? Will you get a positive reaction at work? Having the image of your success helps your brain see the possibility as more concrete and accessible.

Make hypnosis part of your routine. <\/strong>The more you practice, the easier the process will get and hopefully lead to more insights<\/em> faster. <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to Use the Science<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rock\u2019s advice for finding a creative breakthrough is not to chase after inspiration but to methodically break the impasse<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step is to identify whether the source of the impasse is a lack of energy or an influx of <\/strong>away<\/em><\/strong> emotions. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n