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Take a break: it’ll boost your creativity

Take a break: it’ll boost your creativity

Keybridge Communications is a shop of writers. Whether we’re editing op-eds or drafting pitches, KBC employees constantly need to channel their creativity and write compelling material.

And we’ll let you in on a secret — sometimes it’s really hard! As any wordsmith knows, writer’s block can be a real challenge. We sometimes find ourselves staring at a computer screen, watching the cursor blink, wracking our brains for a new, creative spin.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, take a break.

Simply walk away from your computer. Let your mind relax for a little, and you’ll find a new source of inspiration. We guarantee it. And if you’re ever not sure just how to channel your creative juices, we suggest these tips.

1. Move your body

Go for a casual walk around the neighborhood. Let your mind wander and look at your surroundings. Scientific research has found that walking — whether indoors or outside — boosts creativity in the moment and for some time after. Famous tech CEOs like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg are known to have conducted walking meetings for this reason. And many KBCers have been known to come back from a walk refreshed and ready to dive back into an op-ed.

2. Talk to a friend

Instead of sitting in solitude at your computer screen, silently searching your mind or the Internet for inspiration, we suggest you “phone a friend”. You can literally step outside and call a buddy, or you can ask one of your coworkers to meet you in the conference room. You can chat about your writer’s block and ask your friend to brainstorm with you — after all, sometimes two minds are better than one. Or, if you want to distance yourself from your writing for a little, you can chat about something entirely different and let your mind reset. Either way, sometimes a fun conversation with a trusted friend is all you need to reinvigorate your creativity.

3. Read something that inspires you

If all else fails and you find yourself back at your computer, try reading something. Browse the news and get caught up on current events — maybe you’ll find something to make your material extra timely. Read your favorite newspaper’s opinion section and get inspired by the beautiful wordsmithing of experienced columnists. Or — this may sound silly — read something you’ve written in the past! Sometimes all it takes is reading past work you’re proud of to remember that creativity lies within you, and you can conquer that writer’s block like the gifted composer you are.

Elyse Sheppard
elyse@kbc.us