Avoidable Mind Traps That Stifle Creativity | Alternative Fruit

Being creative is no easy pie. We have to apply a lot of thought and action into a project for it to become something worthwhile. Thinking and doing takes energy, lots of it, so why waste energy on things that don't feed the creative spark? Here are some sticky traps we sometimes find ourselves in that stop us in our tracks. Learn to avoid them, and if you find yourself in one then apply gradual change to your thoughts in order to free yourself.


Overthinking. Spending too long deciding on what to do by checking all the facts and their related ones to make sure then going back to the beginning is just a circle. Action needs you to make that move. Think about it as riding a bicycle. You can study the mechanics and the physics until you understand the entire device. It's only until you sit on it and start peddling that you learn to ride. So start your project, make moves, and use the guidance as the helping hand who can be by your side. One day in the future you may not even need to check the books any more.


Lack Of Self-Confidence. You might be super confident with your frying pan or your football but what about in yourself? Do you believe your ideas are good ones? Do you believe that you are equally as able to achieve your goals as the next person? Lack of confidence may cause you to think twice. Who, me? The truth is, we're all nervous and we all want to just get the best out of any situation. Most of us handle this to a point until we feel overly so. This is when we begin to lose confidence. This is like a muscle that we can work on, build up, and lift bigger expectations over our heads.


Ignoring The Critics. They sometimes are just trolls, but sometimes they do have a point. It's no biggie if someone hates your work, or if they find something not to their taste. Try to see the funny side, let go of your personal attachment to the opinion. You did your best, you will do your best again and unless you've had a bump on the head you'll know more than last time. So listen, learn, and then ignore.


Comparisons. Hmm, this is this way and that is that way, what am I? Who cares, really, do your thing and do it your own way. We are all individual people with unique characters. Sure, when you want to improve something you can look to other things and compare techniques etc. however the more you liken yourself to another person, the less freedom you will have to work on your own ideas. The comparison becomes a subconscious template for your future ideas, and that means they probably won't be as good as the first.


Failure Mindset. You've learned vital information, you've worked hard, the effort and time has all gone into making you someone new. You have something to show for it, just not what you set out to get. Look to the future, this is not a time test. So you thought it was a hundred meter sprint and it turned out to be a marathon. So what? Just keep going. You're not here to dwell on the finish line but to get the most out of reaching it possible.


Cowardice. We're not asking you to sign up to the military. Just have a bit of guts and stop caring what other people think. What are you afraid of? Do you want to do this or not? Some people might laugh at you or treat you like you don't deserve to do what you're doing but just brush it off and they will move along. People in general respect courage and confidence.


Prejudice. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. Catastrophising about how terrible the non-existent thing will be is only going to stop it from being made. Expecting the worst out of people and yourself, not permitting yourself to go ahead because you believe those cowards who are too afraid to do it themselves, writing yourself off before you press on. Non of this will get you anywhere!! if it's an innovative, creative, and artistic idea that you have and you want to see it through, go ahead.  
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