Hearing photographers talking about creative burnout or feeling in a creative slump is not rare anymore. It seems like everyone is dealing with it on a regular basis. What if I told you there are easy techniques to get more productive and creative at the same time?
Over the past two years, I've been guilty of telling whoever wanted to listen that I wasn't feeling as creative and productive as I used to be. Going to photographer meetings, conferences, and workshops, I noticed that it's almost becoming a trend. I tried to think back and find what had changed over the past two to three years to get my mojo back.
I've read books about productivity and tried different techniques for creativity, some of which I've described in a previous article. Most methods have worked; I could be productive for short spans of days and also find ideas for shoots. However, it still wasn't the same as it used to be.
A few weeks ago, I heard some producers and art directors talking about how many of the top creatives are barely active on social media aside from their work. This was when my brain connected all the dots. Back in 2014-2015, when I shot some of my best and most creative work, I didn't use social media the same way I do nowadays. I spent very little time on it, and I wasn't as distracted all day long by my smartphone. I would spend time doing just nothing but contemplating the nature around me. It clicked with me. I had to back off social media, productively use my smartphone, and stop watching Netflix when retouching all day long.
If I write this piece, it's not to complain; it's not to say I've found the perfect solution. Far from it. It's simply because I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation and I wanted to share a video with you. The following video was released a few days ago by The Future, a channel from which I've learned a lot over the past year. It contains three methods to help to be more productive and creative.
While there are tons of videos on the topic out there, I feel like this one covers easy-to-apply techniques that can be beneficial to anyone, whether you need to find a new method to come up with ideas (brainstorming), a new way to get more things done (focus sprint), or simply an additional motivation to allow you to get bored regularly. The latter may seem minor, but to me, I feel like it's what's been the most beneficial to me.
Nice read and great advices in the video. I've been a photographer for the last 18 years. From 2001 to 2015 the line describing my creative mind, was steadily going up with no noticeable interruptions.
Now, looking back at what possibly made a change to invert the direction of that line, I have no doubt that it has to a lot to do with distractions created by my phone mainly. It's a drug that is able to paralyse us in a degree.
I'll try to implement these tips!