Develop your Creative Flow
5 Mindset Shifts for Creative Professionals
Since starting my creativity coaching journey back in June 2024, I’ve seen many creative mindset shifts and changes for the better, in myself and others, and the one thing that is always true is that:
“Creative potential isn’t limited by talent or ideas – it’s shaped by mindset.”
And, this was an important lesson for me to learn last year when I first began this journey. Back then, I convinced myself there must be something wrong with me that I was finding the balance so very hard to achieve. So, when I found I could shift this simply by fixing my mindset issues and stopping the internal war going on, it was like a lightbulb moment.
So, today I’m sharing five mindset shifts that can help you break your creative barriers and finally get to that balanced creative practice you’ve been craving.
Enjoy.
1. From Perfect to Playful
The pressure to create something ‘perfect’ from the beginning can not only be very disheartening it can be so paralysing we don’t even start projects we’re desperate to do, because the fear of not being able to do it perfectly is pushing us towards never even starting. It’s a protection mechanism we do subconsciously to save ourselves from the disappointment we’re convinced we’ll get if we try, and it’s not perfect.
I’ve struggled with this one a lot and I’ve discovered perfectionism is the enemy of productivity.
So, to combat this, we need to give ourselves permission to create imperfectly, to play, explore and make a beautiful mess.
Try this:
Set a timer for 15 minutes and start creating without judgement. This exercise helps by allowing you to have a set period where practicing, making a mess, and experimenting is okay and allowed. It tells your subconscious that imperfect is not only okay, but good. The more you do this one, the more you’ll be able to create imperfectly and the less perfectionism will get in the way.
For me, I have to structure my timetable so that my book writing time is called ‘writing practice’ as this helps me to feel that it doesn’t matter because I’m just practicing, which then allows perfectionism issues to disappear.
2. From Waiting to Creative Time
Rather than waiting for that beam of inspiration to strike, create it. Your creativity will show up when you do, and the more you train it to show up, the more it will. It’s just about giving it the right time, space and conditions. Many believe inspiration is this illusive thing that only shows up now and then, and this can be true, but that’s usually because of blocks getting in the way and a lack of training it to show up. But, by training yourself to show up, you’ll find that your inspiration does too, as long as you keep filling that creative well and deal with blocks as they arise.
A lot of this is about being truly honest with yourself about the issues and things you’re facing across your life and the ideas and thoughts you have surrounding your work. It’s only by facing these that we can truly overcome them.
Try this:
Spend a bit of time working out when your peak creative hours actually are. Personally, mine is first thing each morning. It’s when I’m most energised and calm. Once you’ve worked out your peak creative time, block out 30 minutes of your schedule as a non-negotiable creative time. And, most importantly, treat it with the same respect as you would an important meeting.
If you think about it, we wouldn’t expect a garden to grow and bloom without regular gardening to keep it in great condition. But, yet, we expect our creativity to show up without regular tending. By creating the environment and conditions with which your creativity can flourish, you’ll be able to signal to your brain that it’s time to create. This could include things to do with environment, lighting, certain music, or other things that act as triggers.
3. From Should to Want
If we allow external exceptions to drive in every aspect of our creative life, that creativity often feels forced, which can be a recipe for creative blocks and feeling disheartened.
Obviously deadlines are important, but within all that we need to allow time and space for authentic creative desire and ideas to form to guide our pathway towards creating better more meaningful work.
So, within the deadlines, make sure you allow space for just practice and experimentation without the expectation that it will go somewhere.
Try this:
Answer this question—If no one were watching or judging, I would create… Focus your experimentation time on whatever your answer is. And, the answer might be different each time and that’s okay, too.
Then simply allow some parts of your schedule to focus on this experimentation time. This doesn’t even have to be every day and can be as little as weekly, but by allowing even just 15-30 minutes of experimentation time, you will allow your creative well to stay full and inspired to create for those deadlines.
4. From Block to Rest
Sometimes creative blocks aren’t blocks. They’re actually our creative well needing filling up as we’ve let it run dry. I’ve done this so many times. Life gets in the way and day-to-day things keep me bogged down that I suddenly wonder why I’m completely blank and there are no creative ideas flowing. What I actually need is to take some time to get out in nature, as this fills my creative well instantly, like a super-fast battery charge.
Try this:
Create a list of everything that brings you creative joy and fills that well. It doesn’t have to be things that are available to you immediately. Just list everything that fills you up and makes you feel creatively inspired. If you’re having periods of feeling stuck, instead of trying to force creativity, which always backfires for me, try one activity from your list.
By taking time to truly understand the natural ebb and flow of our own creativity, it can transform how we approach our professional work. Just as athletes need recovery periods for peak performance, creative professionals need time to absorb, rejuvenate and fill up that creative well.
5. From Comparison to Connection
The creative journey isn’t a competition. Your unique perspective and voice in the world are your biggest assets. No one will create things in the way you do. In fact, it’s this that makes your work valuable.
It’s very easy to get disheartened, focusing on the comparison-itis of creativity, particularly if they’re in the same niche as you. For me, this comparison-itis manifests in me finding it hard to see those who are prolific writers and put out a few books a year. I then wonder how they do that. But, I have to realise they aren’t writing the same thing I am. They aren’t even in the same genre and their work is very different, their outside life is very different and they don’t have the same issues and I do, so the comparison isn’t equal. I have found I need to stop feeling inadequate when I come across these writers and just accept that my journey is my own and not comparable to anyone.
So, what, or who, are you comparing yourself to? Do you need to be honest and accept your own path?
Try this:
Start a brag file. This is a great idea to document all your creative breakthroughs and feedback, conversations you’ve had and nice comments people have said to you. You can then go through this file when the comparison-itis creeps in and you need to get back on track.
And, it’s sometimes a good idea to create your own creative community of like-minded people you can share and collaborate with. Often, just spending time with others who think the same as you is a great way to boost your own creativity.
Implementing These Mindset Shifts into Daily Life
The best thing about these mindset shifts is that they can build on each other. You can start out with one and then build on this. Plus, they’re designed to fit into your busy working life. I’m just the same. I work full time, write and have a family, so I’m just like all of you, trying to find that balance. And, by working with myself, my tendencies and the things that I already have in my life and then building these creative mindset shifts around that, they’re far easier to implement and make real change.
And, don’t get disheartened if you don’t achieve things overnight. These things take time and practice is the key. Keep coming back and keep trying and eventually you will find they’re a natural part of your routine.
Your Creative Journey to Mindset Shifts
As you get stuck into these mindset shifts, pay attention to what resonates most. Which practice feels like it fits and is most likely to unlock something. Start there and be patient with yourself as you work on these.
Need support on this journey?
If you’re ready to transform your creative mindset and unlock your full creative potential, I’m always here to help.
You can access one-to-one creativity coaching where we can work together on overcoming your unique challenges and develop a practice that is sustainable and workable for you.
Get yourself booked in for your free 20 minute breakthrough session to see if it’s right for you.
