5 Ways to Get Out of a Creative Rut (And Start Making Better Videos)
What you’ll learn in this post:
🧠 Why stress is the #1 reason you feel creatively blocked — and how to fix it fast
💡 Five practical strategies to spark fresh content ideas for your business
🎬 How planning ahead can completely transform your video content workflow
If you’re stuck in a creative rut, you are absolutely not alone. As an Emmy Award winner who has worked with hundreds of online entrepreneurs, I see this all the time — the ideas dry up, the videos stop flowing, and suddenly creating content feels like pulling teeth. Watch the video below for all five tips, and keep reading for the full breakdown!
Watch the Video Below:
Why Creative Ruts Happen to Online Business Owners
Here’s what I’ve learned after working with hundreds of entrepreneurs — creative blocks are not a talent problem. They’re usually a stress problem. When you’re running an online business, content creation is everything. Especially video content.
But some days, the ideas just don’t come. Your brain feels foggy, your ideas feel stale, and you’re stuck staring at a blank screen. The good news? There are real, proven ways to break through — and I’m sharing all five of them right here.
Tip 1
De-Stress Your Brain So Creativity Can Flow
First, let’s talk about what’s actually happening inside your brain when you’re in a creative rut. Stress causes your brain to produce a hormone called cortisol. And cortisol gives you tunnel vision — you can only focus on what’s stressing you out. Creative thinking? Gone.
So the very first thing you need to do is de-stress. And here’s my favorite science-backed excuse to watch a movie.
In 2005, researchers split participants into two groups. One group watched 30 minutes of Saving Private Ryan — intense, heavy, stressful. The other group watched Shrek — light, fun, and funny. Then both groups did a creative word association task.
The Shrek group performed 39% better. Yes, really! So go watch a comedy. You now have a scientific reason to do it.
Beyond movies, here are some other ways I personally love to de-stress:
🌿 Diffusing essential oils with a relaxing blend
⚡ Using an invigorating essential oil blend to wake up your senses
😂 Watching something light-hearted that makes you genuinely laugh
Tip 2
Get Away From Your Daily Routine
Next, you need to physically break the pattern. Do something totally different from your normal day-to-day activities. This is one of the fastest ways to get out of a creative rut that I know.
It doesn’t have to be a big trip. Maybe it’s a weekend getaway, a Saturday night concert, or watching a live orchestra perform. Anything that pulls you out of your regular routine works.
Recently, my family and I went to Mammoth — which hit a record 700 inches of snowfall that year! Just getting away with friends completely reset my energy and my creativity. When you come back, fresh ideas just flow naturally.
Tip 3
Browse for Content Ideas Using Smart Tools
Because sometimes you just need a little outside inspiration to get going again. And there are two tools I absolutely love for this.
Pinterest is a goldmine. Find creators in a different industry and browse their blog post titles. Then simply adapt those titles to fit your niche. It’s such a simple trick and it works every time.
ChatGPT is another game-changer. Just type: “Give me five content creation ideas on [your topic].” Within seconds, you have five solid ideas. As someone who has spent years helping entrepreneurs create video content, I can tell you — AI tools like this are a gift for breaking creative blocks.
Feel free to pause the video above to take notes on this tip — it’s worth revisiting!
Tip 4
Plan Ahead and Batch Create Your Content
However, one of the biggest creativity killers I see? Last-minute pressure. When you’re scrambling to post something right now, your brain goes back into stress mode — and we already know what cortisol does to your creativity.
Planning ahead changes everything. Try batch creating your content — record multiple videos in one session, or write several Instagram posts at once. This keeps you one step ahead and removes the pressure completely.
Here are some easy ways to plan ahead:
☕ Schedule a relaxed content creation session with your favorite latte
🎥 Set up your video gear the night before so you’re ready to go in the morning
📅 Batch record videos in one sitting to fill up your content calendar
In my experience working with video creators at all levels, batch recording is one of the single biggest productivity upgrades you can make. It also helps you show up more consistently — which builds trust with your audience faster.
Tip 5
Plan a Business Retreat to Reset Your Creative Energy
Finally, my absolute favorite tip — plan a retreat. This combines getting away, de-stressing, and focused content creation all in one.
You could rent an Airbnb for a couple of days and dedicate that time entirely to your business and your content. No distractions, just creative flow. Or attend a business conference to get inspired and motivated by others.
I personally love Amber Housley’s virtual retreats. She runs them every quarter, and even though I do them right from my office, they feel totally immersive. She sends a beautiful retreat packet, and a group of us work through it together online. It’s genuinely one of the most energizing things I do for my business each year.
As an Emmy Award-winning video expert, I’ll tell you — the most creative work I’ve ever done came after a reset. Retreats are worth every minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get out of a creative rut?
It really depends on how stressed out you are! For some people, watching a funny movie or taking a day trip does the trick within hours. For others, a longer reset like a weekend getaway or a business retreat is what finally breaks the block. Start with Tip 1 — de-stressing — and build from there.
What’s the fastest way to come up with new video content ideas?
My quickest go-to is ChatGPT. Just type in “Give me five content ideas on [your topic]” and you’ll have ideas in seconds. Pinterest is also fantastic for inspiration — especially browsing creators in different niches and adapting their topics to yours. In my experience, these two tools together can fill up an entire content calendar in one afternoon.
How can I stop feeling constantly behind on content creation?
Batch creating is the answer. Instead of creating one piece of content at a time, record several videos or write several posts in a single session. Set up your gear ahead of time, schedule a calm block of time, and get into a creative flow state. Planning ahead removes the pressure — and that alone will improve your creative output dramatically.
Getting out of a creative rut is completely possible — and now you have five real strategies to make it happen. Remember, it starts with taking care of your brain, stepping outside your routine, and setting yourself up for success with smart planning. You’ve got this!
Want even more tips on making videos that grow your business? Head over to lucrativevideos.com/7hacks — I’d love to help you create content that truly works for you!
