Too Many Ideas: The Other Creative RoadBlock
Any artist or creative is familiar with dry spells in their creative process and output. There is an abundance of information- books, articles and podcasts dedicated to this topic. But what about the other side of this coin? What about those times you're paralyzed by too many ideas? What do you do to move through this? Here are a few tips to consider then next time you find yourself excited by ALL the things and can’t get started on any of them.
Write them down. Draw thumbnail sketches. Get them out of your head.
Having an external visual of your ideas may help clear space in your brain to really assess which ideas are worth following at this time. The added bonus is you have a record of those great ideas to return to in the future to keep your momentum going, or to move through those dry spells when they happen. Additionally, you may find the thumbnail was all you needed to give voice to the idea, and that this satisfies that creative pull, and you don’t need to take it further.
2. Consider Brain Maps or journaling about your visions and ideas.
Make this a quick, though thoughtful exercise to map out any associated thoughts, images, or phrases that you connect with each idea. Clarify what is important to you about it, what draws you to it now, and how it aligns with your creative energy and vision.
3. Check with your body.
We live in a world that has trained us to prioritize our brain and thoughts over other systems. I firmly believe our body has its own wisdom and this is worth consulting. When you think about each idea- how do you feel it in your body? Where does it reside? How big is it? Do you have any physical urges associated with this? What feeling do you get? What is your body trying to tell you about this idea? Really listen. Does this clarify your message in any ways? Does this open up new possibilities? Does it close any doors?
4. Rate your ideas.
How strong is the energetic pull you feel right now. Don’t overthink this. 1-10 how drawn are you to this idea in this moment? Compare your ratings.
5. Narrow it down.
Based on the information you collected, do any of your options stand out? You might make a short list ranking your ideas. If you’ve got a couple of choices, are you more energetically drawn to one over the other? Is there one with a higher rating? If so, there’s your answer. If not, it sounds like you can’t go wrong. Pick one to get started (eenie meenie minie mo if you need to), if it doesn't lead anywhere, no harm done, you’ve got ideas to fall back on.
Hope this helps you navigate through the creative frenzy. At the end of the day the exploration may be more significant than the outcome. It helps us hone in on those ideas that we dive fully into. As Elizabeth Gilbert explains in her book Big Magic, when you find those ideas, partner with them by fully committing to see them through.
Happy Creating!