14 Barriers to Creativity and How to Remove Them

Have you ever been stuck in a rut, feeling like your creativity has dried up? Do you feel constrained and boxed in by corporate rules that inhibit the flow of new ideas? If so, worry not! Chances are you have some barriers to creativity – which can be overcome.

Here are some tips on being creative, even when navigating obstacles such as tight deadlines or red tape.

1. Identify The Barriers to Your Creativity

The first step is identifying the barriers to your creativity. What’s holding you back? Common obstacles include lack of time, self-doubt, fear of failure, and even perfectionism. It’s essential to have an honest inventory of what’s getting in your way to break down such barriers.

Acknowledging your mental blocks can help you find ways to work through them and make room for creative ideas.

2. Schedule Time For Yourself Dedicated to Creative Pursuits

Dedicating time for yourself to explore creative pursuits can be an enriching experience. It allows you to express yourself and provides a break from the daily hustle.

So try setting aside a few hours every week or even daily. This should allow you to explore different ideas, hone new skills and ultimately find satisfaction in creating things. It’s also great for your mental health.

And you know the best part?

You decide what “creative pursuit” means for you. It could be crafting, writing, painting, or something else that stirs up creative inspiration.

3. Make Sure Your Goals Are Clear

A clear set of goals is vital for achieving creative success because it provides structure and direction. In other words, focusing on your work and ideating is easier when you have an end goal.

For example, it’s much easier to put in the work necessary to grow a business when you know where you’re going. Similarly, you can only design an outstanding logo with a goal for it in mind.

So think about what you want to accomplish by writing your ambitions. Then create step-by-step plans of action that will help guide you in realizing those objectives.

4. Break Down Large Tasks

It’s easy to look at a daunting task and feel overwhelmed. One way to ensure your creativity remains free is by breaking down tasks into smaller chunks.

Doing so should provide some mental room to breathe and think creatively. Remember that you don’t have to do everything simultaneously to reach the outcome. Start with one thing or part you can focus on regarding the task. Then move on to the next one when that’s complete.

By breaking tasks down, you’re making the job easier to manage and leveraging the rewarding feeling of accomplishment – as you finish each step.

5. Permit Yourself to Try Something New

Everyone has the incredible ability to try something out of the ordinary. But it’s hard for people to push past their comfort zone.

If you find it challenging, you can take baby steps to build courage. For example, start small by taking on a new activity, going somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, or trying to meet new people.

Permit yourself to try new things. Do something that will be rewarding and help you grow as a person. And in turn, you may feel the spark of creativity again.

Getting outside your comfort zone doesn’t always mean doing something radical. Even small changes are meaningful steps that can lead to more self-confidence, breaking those barriers to creativity. 

6. Surround Yourself With Inspiring Ideas and People

Surrounding yourself with inspiring ideas and people can incredibly benefit your creativity.

For ideas, consider creating a space for yourself that encourages inspiration. You could redecorate your office, for example. This should foster imaginative thinking and help you generate ideas. 

Try also to do different things that challenge your perspective or force you to think outside the box.

To meet people, attend things like talks or events, take classes in different subjects, participate in sports, etc. These activities can make a huge difference in removing barriers to creativity.

7. Take Breaks Throughout The Day

Taking short breaks throughout the day can give you a mental refresh without taking too much time away from your work. So allow yourself a few moments each day to step away and relax. This can be five or ten minutes at a time, for instance.

Taking regular breaks removes barriers to creativity because it helps renew your energy and focus. It keeps you mentally sharp throughout the day, giving your brain time to process information correctly.

So the next time you hit a wall in your productivity, try stepping away for a brief break.

8. Alter Your Everyday Routine

Consider breaking out of your daily routine and introducing some changes to help keep creative juices flowing. Small changes like working in a coffee shop or starting work at a different time can help.

Finding ways to alter your routine can help you identify creative opportunities and unique ideas. And if your creativity begins to wane again, switch things up again.

9. Challenge Your Preconceptions and Biases

A bias is an attitude or viewpoint that leans in a specific direction.

It often involves ignoring different perspectives and only believing what we want to think is true. But this behavior limits creative thought by narrowing the scope of potential solutions.

It’d help to look at an issue from multiple angles to combat this debacle.

First, consider the problem from your point of view. Then imagine how someone else might address the issue, which will provide alternative insights into the nature of the challenge.

10. Look Beyond How Things Work

One of the biggest threats to creative thinking is functional fixedness or fixity. This means only looking at how an object is designed or traditionally used rather than imagining alternative ways to use it. Being fixated on one way of doing something impacts an individual’s ability to be creative. 

However, becoming aware of this phenomenon is the first step to avoiding falling into this trap. The next is to form the habit of looking beyond what something is for so you remain open to other methods of using it.

That will also foster big-picture thinking, helping you notice opportunities that present themselves in unconventional ways – removing barriers to creativity and resulting in fresh solutions you may not have considered otherwise.

11. Try Different Thought Processes

To keep your creative thinking sharp and free from bias, try various thought processes for solving problems and generating ideas.

Start by getting familiar with the type of thinking that comes naturally to you. For example, are you an analytical type of thinker? Instinctual? Intuitive?

Then observe how others think and try to adopt things that can work for you. Use the third-party thought processes you adopt for your tasks and problems.

One way to remind yourself is to ask questions like how would [person name] solve this problem or approach the challenge?

This can also help you anticipate potential outcomes down the line.

12. Don’t Fear Failure

Fear of failure is a significant barrier to creativity and efficient problem-solving. Of course, it’s natural for people to experience a sense of trepidation about the unknown – but remember that failure isn’t something to be feared.

Failure is part of the trial and error process and doesn’t define you – nor does it determine your ability to think creatively or face complex challenges.

Instead of fearing failure, embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. That way, you’re less likely to stop yourself from acting on innovative ideas because of fear. This should help you explore unique solutions and reach success faster.

13. Don’t Fear Rejection

The fear of criticism is another barrier to creativity that you must manage.

People are often too focused on wanting others to like and approve of their work or actions. In doing so, they forgo taking risks and attempting innovative solutions to avoid judgment or rejection.

However, everyone has their own experiences with failure and criticism. In other words, don’t feel like you’re the only one who may fail. Everybody does it many times in life, and that’s ok. It’s part of growing.

Start to view failure as an opportunity for growth and use constructive feedback to help you improve your work and ideas. You may find yourself exploring more creative possibilities than ever once you accept that criticism is part of success rather than an obstacle.

14. Seek Improvement

Most people strive to make well-reasoned decisions. But some rely too heavily on rationalization, which can become an obstacle to creativity.

That’s because finding justifications for choices can prevent people from exploring other possibilities and taking risks. So challenge yourself to question your motivations constantly.

Instead of searching for reasons you don’t need to take action, actively seek ways to push yourself and gather new perspectives.

You must be willing to accept uncertainty to foster creativity.

Creativity Is Important for Success

You’ve now got a good idea of how to remove barriers to creativity. However, each person has their own unique needs and limitations. So tailor the tips above to fit you – your lifestyle and schedule.

Lastly, creativity is a powerful tool for addressing two essential things in life – problem-solving and making money. You need creativity to make sound decisions and judgments. You also need it for money, as creativity helps in this area.