How to cure writer’s block

Let’s be real for a second. Have you ever put off something you wanted to write because you felt you weren’t “creative enough”? You sit down to write, but the words won’t flow. If you’ve thought, “I’m just not the creative type,” here’s the truth: that’s just a story you’re telling yourself. Writer’s block is something anyone can overcome. Creativity isn’t some rare gift; it’s a skill you can build. Think about it: Mozart practiced endlessly, and Bob Dylan constantly experimented to keep his lyrics fresh. You don’t need to be a genius to learn how to cure writer’s block—you just need a little practice and a willingness to get out of your own way.

And… you don’t have to be a “genius” to be creative. You just need a little practice and some willingness to get out of your own way.

Creativity Made Simple: Stay Open and Keep at It

If you want to unlock your creative side, here’s the magic formula:

1. Stay open to new ideas – Creativity thrives on curiosity. The more you explore and try new things, the more inspiration you’ll have.
2. Practice, practice, practice – Yes, even if it feels silly or hard. Just like learning to cook or ride a bike, creativity gets easier the more you do it.

If you’re sitting there feeling stuck or blocked, here’s something fun to try. This exercise comes straight from Bob Dylan himself, and it’s all about getting out of your head and having some fun. Dylan used to play with random words and phrases, mixing them up in strange ways just to see what ideas came out of it. He wasn’t worried about making sense or looking silly. He was just experimenting, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Bob Dylan’s Mix-Up Exercise: Your Secret Weapon Against Writer’s Block

So, let’s talk about how to actually do this exercise and bust through that writer’s block. Here’s the game plan:

1. Start with your topic – Whatever you’re working on—a blog post, a social media post, a course outline—grab the main themes or key ideas you have in mind and write them down. Don’t overthink it; just jot down a few things.
2. Write those words or phrases on separate cards or sticky notes – There’s something about physically moving things around that gets your brain working in a different way.
3. Mix it up! – Play around with the words and phrases, putting them in weird or funny combinations. Don’t worry if they don’t make sense right away—this exercise is all about seeing things from a fresh angle.

Here’s what he looks like in action!

One thing I love about Dylan’s approach is that he wasn’t afraid to look a little silly or come up with ideas that didn’t make sense at first. He knew that by getting playful and shaking things up, he’d eventually land on something amazing. Think about what new directions you could take by just mixing things up a bit! You might surprise yourself with connections you didn’t see before or find an angle that makes your content feel totally new and exciting.

How Mixing Things Up Can Change Your Content

One of the best things about this exercise is that it helps you break free from seeing things the same old way. Sometimes we get so locked into our own perspective that it’s tough to shake things loose. But when we get playful and don’t take ourselves too seriously, we can unlock new ideas and directions.

Imagine all the creative content you could come up with just by getting a little silly and trying out different combinations! Maybe you’ll find a fresh spin on a tired topic or discover a unique way to present your ideas.