Why brilliant creatives stay stuck
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The silent killer of creative momentum? It’s not a lack of talent. It’s energy. Over the past week, I coached three wildly different creatives—all sharp, driven, and full of ideas. Every single one said the same thing: “I’m stuck. I’m tired. I don’t know where to start.” And here’s the truth most people won’t say out loud: You’re not stuck because you’re lazy. 3 Common Mistakes Smart Creatives Make When They Feel Stuck❌ They treat clarity like a puzzle“Maybe if I just think harder I’ll figure it out.” You won’t. Thinking in circles isn’t problem-solving. It’s procrastination wearing a clever disguise. ✅ What to do instead: Step away. Literally. Leave the room. Go outside. Take a shower. Clean your kitchen. Clarity comes when your nervous system feels safe, not when you’re doom-scrolling Notion. ❌ They over-plan instead of brain-dumpingCreatives LOVE a new app. A new system. But when you’re overwhelmed, structure does not equal relief. It just becomes another thing to perfect. ✅ What to do instead: Grab paper. Write down every open loop. Then circle ONE thing that moves the needle on your creative goal. Not five. Not all of them. Just. One. Thing. ❌ They don’t ask the right questionWhen you’re tired, the question becomes: “How can I get through this?” Wrong question. ✅ Ask this instead: “What do I want more of in my day—and what tiny thing helps me move in that direction?” Maybe it’s less phone time. Maybe it’s a screen-free bedroom. Maybe it’s 10 minutes of drawing for no reason. Every small shift gives your energy a chance to come back. Today's Quick Win: Creative Energy Audit ⚡️Only if you're serious about getting unstuck (not for softies)Run this through ChatGPT (or your journal) and don’t stop until you get brutally honest answers. Paste this prompt into GPT-4o: “I feel stuck. Help me unpack the real reasons why.”
Ask me the hard stuff:
• What am I avoiding—and why? • Where am I lying to myself about what I really want? • What would I do if I trusted my taste and ability fully? • What feels hard only because I’m doing it alone? • What’s the story I keep repeating that keeps me small? • What’s one project I could actually finish if I simplified it? • What am I scared will happen if I actually succeed? • What version of me does this next chapter require? You’ll likely hate one of these. That’s the one to sit with. Then ask: “What’s one brave thing I could do today to honour the version of me I’m becoming?” Stay weird, P.S. Feeling stuck in the mud? It’s not a focus issue—it’s a design issue. You’re an ideas person, you just need structure. That’s what I do: one idea, one project, one next step. Book a call with me to get moving. |
Christie Burmester
I'm a creative coach helping creative professionals find their creative voice.