TRIO’s Tips for Inspiration

Monday morning blues, writer’s block, the 3 p.m. slump, whatever you want to call it, we’ve all experienced some form of brain fog at some point during our work week.

But instead of simply giving up and laying in the fetal position under your desk the rest of the day, clear out the spiderwebs in your brain and feel inspired again by incorporating these easy, energizing inspiration fixes into your routine. Whether you resolve to try these out on a daily basis or simply turn to them when you’re feeling extra sluggish, we guarantee they will help you get those creative wheels turning again.

Chat with a coworker

One of the best things you can do when you’re starved for inspiration is to strike up a conversation with one of your coworkers. Getting a different perspective on a problem you’re struggling with and hearing another option can force you to look at a problem from a different angle.

At TRIO, we love having brainstorming sessions where we throw ideas up on a wall and see what sticks. Everyone here brings something unique to the table and can offer valuable insight that can spark inspiring solutions. There’s no question during these sessions that the old adage is true, “two heads are better than one.”

Take a break

If you find yourself beating your head against the desk, trying to force a good idea to spill out, STOP. Get up out of your chair and go for a long walk. Get outside and breathe in some fresh air. A change of scenery (and maybe even a refreshing iced coffee) can make a world of difference.

If you’ve been struggling with a creative block for a while, plan an extended trip somewhere you have never been before. It doesn’t have to be somewhere exotic — even exploring one of the small towns outside of your town can be an adventure. Exploring new worlds can help open your eyes and get your creative juices flowing.

Give yourself time to daydream

As a Type A personality, I am definitely guilty of becoming too dependent on my planner — or as I more commonly refer to it, “my precious.” And while to-do lists are great at keeping you on track, sometimes you need to get off track in order to get out of a creative slump.

So, instead of checking off boxes every day, give yourself permission to daydream. See where your imagination takes you. Go with what you feel and don’t overthink it. Sometimes creating something without restrictions or rules or guidelines can help you see a problem in a different light.

And if you are still struggling with the idea of not having structure in your day, add “daydream” to your to-do list. We guarantee your brain fog will clear out in no time.

Read, read, read

While I’m a firm believer that everyone should read the Harry Potter series at some point in their life (#Ravenclaw4Life), I also believe that reading, in general, is one of the best things you can do for your mental health.

Whether it’s an industry magazine, a book by one of your favorite authors, or the greatest book series ever created — *cough* Harry Potter *cough* — lose yourself in a different perspective or a different way of thinking. Follow where your passion is pulling you and see what happens. You’ll be surprised to find that inspiration can find you in some pretty unexpected places.

Do something completely unrelated to your work

Oftentimes we can inadvertently fall into a routine of doing the same tasks over and over again. When this happens, it is important to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones in order to break the routine and hit refresh on our thinking.

Are you a photographer? Take some drawing classes. Are you a writer? Dive into that DIY design project you’ve always been too intimated to try. When we take the time to immerse ourselves in something that is out of the ordinary, oftentimes our minds will uncover unique solutions we never even thought of before. At the very least, you’ll have picked up some handy new skills that you can add to your resume.

Never stop being a student

Nobody knows everything about everything. Unless you’re like Bradley Cooper’s character in Limitless, in which case, why are you even reading this blog?

Continue to soak in as much as you can from those around you and from others who inspire you. Sign up for creative events in your community. Network. Check out workshops you can attend or visit your local craft fair. Look at each day as an opportunity to learn something new.

Go out and be open to whatever comes your way, because it may just be exactly what you’re looking for.

How do you find inspiration when you’re feeling uninspired? Share your thoughts with us!