How to get out of an inspiration slump at work
There’s been a lot of talk about workplace boredom in my house recently. My partner’s been burned out with his projects since he’s created content in the same niche for years now. He’s grateful for what he does, but the sameness has left him feeling like he’s been living on autopilot.
Talk directly to the end-user
It’s easy to feel disconnected from the people on the other side of your work.
- Reach out to your community, or social media groups, to see what the audience is talking about
- Victoria Hovsepyan, an illustrator and designer, recommends using social listening to find insights from customers
Spotlight Your Team and Community
Find inspiration from your team and community
- Sometimes that means brainstorming with a colleague you don’t usually talk to.
- Other times, it could be a customer in your marketing team or a member of your team contributing to your blog.
Let yourself be bored
Boredom can be good for productivity
- Take a walk or do nothing to get a fresh perspective
- Feeling uninspired isn’t something to fix, it’s something to lean into
- Anthony Garone, a technical content writer, finds that boredom can be the breeding ground for a great idea
Invest in learning
Getting out of your comfort zone can re-invigorate you-and teach you a thing or two along the way.
- If your work is starting to feel mundane, consider taking a course, attending a conference, or learning an adjacent skill.
- Find a community of like-minded professionals to connect with.
Inspiration is a spectrum, not a switch
Inspiration slumps happen to everyone, and they might not disappear overnight
Spend time on an entirely different topic
Try and find a new angle on the same topic.
- For example, Jason Bradwell turns to fiction writing to give his ideas space and time to form. He finds that reading something creative helps his brain relax without completely shutting off.
Celebrate small wins
Set up a way to automate positivity to help curb idea slumps in the future
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