Lost for inspiration? Here are five techniques you can use to try and coax something new and exciting out of your brain! They won’t always work but give them a go, and you might just be surprised. Sometimes when I find myself in a funk or the content isn’t flowing as I’d like – I employ these techniques and kick it into high gear.

Manana No Mas!

Getting *it Done Yesterday

Go for a Walk

Walks are inspiring for a number of reasons. For starters, they allow us to take a break from what we’re doing and to change our environment. In turn, this leads to new input that can help us to gain new perspective on whatever problem or task we’re wrestling with.

At the same time, walking is a monotonous task that allows our default mode network to kick in. This, essentially, means that we’re daydreaming, which is, often, a source of great inspiration.

This is the time to turn the phone off and savor the moment. Remove distraction and let your brain do the thing it loves.

Ask the Right Questions

Sometimes, inspiration is just about asking the right questions, which can help to reframe the problem you’re facing in order to look at it in a new way. For instance, if you’re wondering how to solve a problem and you can’t come up with an answer, try asking yourself how ‘Johnny’ would approach it. Likewise, instead of thinking about what you want something to be, decide what you don’t want it to be.

I also use a technique of thinking of the desired outcome rather than an action to take. By focusing on the desired outcome, the action generally exposes itself.

Take a Break

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to spark some creativity or solve a problem is to take a break. This way, you stop trying to force the idea, which simply creates stress, and instead, you simply let it come to you now that you’ve entered all your input. This is why we’re often encouraged to sleep on big decisions.

Like the walk above – a break is a break. Don’t remove one burden that isn’t finished only to replace it with another. Take the time to clear the mind and re-engage to execute like a winner.

Listen to Music

Music can be highly inspiring as it alters our mood and energy level and takes us to different places. Often, you’ll find that music can leave you lost in thought, so try listening to some tracks while you mull over a subject, and see if that helps.

My personal experience is that some genre of music is best for certain results. If I am building websites, jazz or electronica keeps me in pace. If I am working on a technical piece under the deadline, some ol’ school rap may just be the ticket. See what works for you.

Talk it Over

There’s a myth that ideas take the form of lightbulbs or lightning strikes and that they come in a flash, fully formed. Actually, when questioned, most people admit that their best ideas formulated slowly, that they gestated for days, months, or even years before emerging.

Often, the best ideas are not formed in isolation either but rather when we discuss them with other people. Even if we’re just thinking aloud, this can help us to see new perspectives and will often result in new breakthroughs.