If you're an online business owner, you know that creating content is so important to growing your business, especially video content. But sometimes we have those days where creative ideas don't flow. We feel stuck and have writers block. So to help you out, here are 5 ways to get out of a creative rut!
tip #1: destress
Tip number one is to destress. A huge reason why we're in a creative rut is simply because we're stressed out. And when we're stressed out, our brain produces a stress hormone called cortisol. When this happens our brain is not able to think freely. We have tunnel vision on what is making us stressed out, and we can't think outside of the box.
So how do you destress? Well, one idea is to watch a lighthearted or funny movie! Yes!
Get this: In 2005, researchers had one group of people watch 30 minutes of the movie "Saving Private Ryan." This is a war movie based on a true story and it's pretty intense. The second group watched the lighthearted movie called "Shrek."
Then after the 30 minutes, the researchers had the participants do a word association task, which they had to think creatively for. The group who watched "Shrek" performed 39% better than the other group!
There's your excuse to watch a funny movie. Yuppers! What movie are you gonna watch?
Some other ways to de-stress that I like doing is diffusing essential oils. I like to put together an essential oil blend that either relaxes me or rejuvenates me.
Tip #2: get away
The second tip in 5 ways to get out of a creative rut is to get away. Yes! Get away from the day-to-day grind and do something different. Maybe it's going away on a weekend getaway. Or maybe it's just going out on a Saturday night and watching a show or going to the symphony. Basically, anything that's different from your daily activities that you normally do. This will spark new life!
For example, a couple weeks ago my family and I went to Mammoth. We had so much fun! In fact, Mammoth hit a record high in snowfall when we were there! It was just such a great way to rejuvenate and reset with family and friends.
Tip #3: browse for ideas
Tip number three is to browse for content creation ideas. One example of this is to go on Pinterest. If you follow other online business owners that you really like and they're in a different industry than you, you can look up titles to their blogs. Then switch up the title so that it's in your niche.
Of course there's also AI—artificial intelligence. For example, you can go to ChatGPT and type in, "give me five content creation ideas on (insert your topic)." And then immediately, it'll give you five content creation ideas. It's pretty crazy!
Tip #4: plan ahead
Tip number four is to plan ahead. Because if we're stressing out and thinking, "I have to post on Instagram like now!" or, "Oh no, I'm supposed to make another YouTube video for this afternoon!" That's just gonna make us more stressed out.
And again, going back to tip number one on de-stressing, our brain isn't gonna be able to think clearly. So just plan ahead and even batch create your content.
Try to record a couple of videos in one setting or create a bunch of Instagram posts in one setting. That way, you have your content set for the next couple weeks or the next month. You'll always be one step ahead of the game!
Another way to plan ahead is to simply get out your laptop at your favorite coffee shop while sipping on your favorite latte. Then have a relaxed and enjoyable time creating content while you're there.
For filming videos, I like to set up my gear the day before. That way, the next morning I'm ready to go!
Planning ahead helps out a ton. In fact, you can watch this video called instagram reels fast and easy, so you can batch record a bunch of reels in one setting and look really great, too!
tip #5: have a retreat
Tip number five in 5 ways to get out of a creative rut is to have a retreat. You can do this by perhaps renting an AirBnB for a couple days. That way you can stay focused in a nice place while you create content for your business. So we're kind of combining a couple of these tips: You're getting away, you're de-stressing and your creative mind is gonna flow!
You can also go to a conference and get inspired and motivated there.
But don't forget about virtural retreats! I love Amber Housley's virtual retreats. She has these every quarter, and I just do it here in my home office, virtually on my computer. She sends a really beautiful packet for the retreat. And then a group of us are all online doing it together. It's just such a great way to reset, plan ahead, and feel inspired again. I love it!
In the meantime, if you're wondering what type of video content to make, I've got you! Watch my FREE class called, The Five Essential Videos you need to make more sales without having to work a lot. Can't wait to see you there!
