by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767

Being on a deadline, with only a few hours to turn a project in, can be overwhelming. I can relate to this from my college days. I used to believe that my creativity would flow effortlessly once I entered the publishing industry. However, that wasn’t always the case. There are times when we hit dry spells, no matter how creative, organized, or proficient we are. At these moments, we might feel like giving up, procrastinating, or even starting a new career. But if we’re to succeed as creatives, none of these options are viable. As someone who has made many mistakes in the industry, I’ve found eight ways to get out of a creative rut. These methods have worked for me and might work for many of us struggling.

Revisit our wins:

We often tend to overlook our achievements and capabilities. It’s essential to take time out and revisit our work to appreciate our progress. To achieve this, we can start by rereading the pieces of our work that we are most proud of and creating portfolios that showcase our strengths. These portfolios can remind us of our abilities and help us gain confidence in our skills. We can also use them to review our progress occasionally and identify areas where we need improvement. Ultimately, this exercise will help us become more self-assured and motivated professionally.

Connect with encouragers:

We all need cheerleaders in our lives. It doesn’t matter if it’s our grandmother who loves everything we do or our nerdy best friend from elementary school. Sometimes, we need the emotional support of those who love us unconditionally. This has absolutely nothing to do with our aptitude or ability. However, being encouraged does boost our esteem and helps bring out the best in our work.

Reject the naysayers:

Most of us have real-life antagonists in our lives. It’s important to recognize that the source of negativity in our lives may not always be external. The most harmful critic we face may be none other than ourselves. Let’s take a moment to reflect on how we talk to ourselves and work towards building a more positive inner voice. Remember, we’re deserving of kindness and compassion from us. We must reject every and anything our naysayers have to say. Their negativity is draining, depleting our creativity and esteem. Ignore what our detractors say, as we don’t need their pessimism.

Keep it Fresh:

Sometimes, the way we’ve always been doing something needs a new perspective. This is why writing conferences and writing communities are vital. Perhaps it’s time to take a refresher class in our genre or explore writing in a new genre. We should consistently take proactive measures to maintain our sense of renewal and personal growth.

Keep God First:

We lose our first love when we begin chasing the “things” and idolizing our careers. God must be at the center of it all, no matter how successful or unsuccessful we are. He is the only one we should worship. This perspective will give us a healthier approach to achieving our dreams and aspirations.

Read Good Books:

This may seem simplistic. But many of us get so caught up in our writing careers that we forget to read. We shouldn’t waste time on any However, we should discern and create time to read good books that deserve our attention. Reading helps to sharpen our focus, rejuvenate us, and promote great ideas.

Challenge Ourselves:

As Christian authors, we must have bold faith that God can work in us and through us to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ever imagine. We shouldn’t settle for the status quo, knowing that all things are possible with God.

Pray Without Ceasing:

Too often, we pray as a last resort. Yet, prayer should be something we do over every project and every piece of writing we work on, no matter how small or large. Prayer changes everything!

Experiencing burnout and discouragement is normal, but we don’t have to remain stuck in that state. We can employ effective tactics to get out of a rut by revisiting our accomplishments, connecting with those who encourage us, ignoring negative influences, trying new things, prioritizing our faith, reading good literature, pushing ourselves to grow, and maintaining a constant attitude of prayer.

Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”