Creativity Quirks

I have a weird habit.  In fact, I don't even remember how it got started.  But if you're like me where you have to be creative on a deadline, you can't sit around and wait to feel creative.

Coming out of college, it was one of those ideas that no one ever really prepared me for.  But for my first job I realized early on that I had to be creative whether I felt like it or not.  People were depending on me to get the job done, and I couldn't sit around and wait for that amazing idea to jump into my brain.

So what do you do if you can't think of anything to write?  You start writing.  Then you write some more.  And in that process of writing, good ideas begin to emerge.  Not every single time.  But consider throw-away ideas the process of your brain making room for better ones.

But what happens when I get writer's block?  My weird habit emerged somewhere along the way.  I get up out of my chair and walk around.  No particular direction or plan.  I just get up, grab a drink, walk a hallway.  Walk it again.  Talk to a friend.  I don't usually move on to a new project because I'm not really stopping.  I think my brain just needs to fill up again.  The distraction works.  I sit back down after a couple of minutes and start writing again.

It's not even a conscious thing for me anymore.  You can probably tell how much trouble I'm having with a project by how many times I get up and walk around.  Weird?  Maybe.  Does it work for me?  Definitely.

Have any creativity quirks you'd like to share?
No one will think you're weird.  Promise.

Aaron