5 Simple Tricks to Get Out of Your Own Head  

Even if you’re not a writer, you’ve probably experienced writer’s block at some point in your life. You’re plugging away at a project when suddenly your brain ceases to churn out thoughts, and when it does begin to work again, all of your ideas seem sub-par or totally incorrect. This feeling isn’t unique to writer’s block. Whether you’re a computer programmer, a designer, or a CEO, you can still get trapped in your own head and bring your productivity to a screeching halt.

The reason for writer’s block, or worker’s block, could be any number of things. You made a mistake. You’re exhausted. You took on a new project with little knowledge of what it entails. You burned yourself out or got bored in your job.

No matter the reason, worker’s block stems from one problem. You’re looking at the world from the confines of your own mind, and while that can be an empowering, creative place when you’re at your best, it can be a limiting, demotivating place when you’re at your worst. Thoughts like “I can’t do it any other way than this,” or “I’m never going to get this done on time, but I can’t tell anyone that” move in and kick out productivity, creativity, and confidence.

The good news is that you have the power to get out of your own head, and you can do it faster than you think. Here are a few tips to get your mind on the right track.

Write It Out
It may seem counterproductive to write down problems you already know about, but the physical act of writing transfers the confusion and negativity in your brain to the paper where you can see and decipher the problem without emotions clouding your perspective. For example, if you’re concerned about the ten things on your to-do list, writing them down in the order of their importance may reveal that really only three tasks should take priority that day, and the other seven can be scheduled for later or delegated. Whenever you get lost in your thoughts, take out a pen and paper and write them down in a list, a chart, a paragraph, or whatever form makes sense to you.

Change It Up
Whether you work from home, in a cubicle, or mostly from coffee shops, your brain can get too used to your environment. Desensitization can be useful when you’re in the mood to focus on the task at hand, but it becomes an obstacle when your brain is looking for inspiration and sees only the things it sees every day. Make a habit of getting out of your normal environment. Go out for lunch, take fifteen-minute walks, or talk to your boss about working from home for a day. Just as much as you don’t want to eat the same thing for lunch over and over again, your brain craves variation to stay healthy and active.

If You Hate It, Do It
Oftentimes you may end up going in circles with your own thoughts because you are trying to avoid doing something. It could be bad news you don’t want to break, a failure you don’t want to admit to a client or coworker, a particularly time-consuming task, or something that you are not sure how to do. For these and a plethora of other reasons, you find excuses to put the task off, but it continues to hang over your head, diminishing your focus on other tasks. The longer you wait to do it, the worse the problem gets. If you can’t bring yourself to get things done, revisit your tasks from tip #1 and order them from most-dreaded to least-dreaded. If you complete the task you hate most, you’ll find yourself more able to focus on each task thereafter.

If You Love It, Do It
If you’re having trouble getting out of your head because you keep daydreaming, don’t discount the possibility that you could simply be bored, and don’t dive into shaming yourself for your boredom. Yes, the bottom line is that you need to get your work done, but your brain is designed to work creatively. It functions best when it’s enjoying itself. When you find your mind wandering, set aside time to indulge that. Listen to your favorite music, draw something, read a portion of a book, or do anything else that feeds your creativity. If you’re on a tight deadline and can’t afford even a moment of self-indulgence, listening to classical music (or another genre you find inspiring) can help transition your mind into an active, creative state quickly.

Talk About It
In theory we all acknowledge the power of open communication, but it can be difficult to talk through a mental block if it’s affecting your work. What if it makes you look unreliable to your boss or coworkers? In reality, keeping work-related struggles a secret is much more of a detriment to those around you than letting others know you have a problem. If your worker’s block is affecting the team, and no one knows what’s going on, you could appear lazy, apathetic, or dishonest. If you’re not already having weekly meetings, take the first step to set up a meeting with a supervisor or coworker with whom you are comfortable. Let him or her know that you are not doing your best and offer a few reasons why you think that might be. At the very least someone else on your team will be aware that you are struggling and can adjust accordingly, and in the best-case scenario you’ll receive helpful feedback, encouragement, and new ideas to help you overcome the obstacles you face.

If you find yourself trapped inside your own head, don’t dig in deeper by reprimanding yourself or trying to wait out the feeling. Be willing to challenge your own thoughts and to ask for help, and you’ll see your courage and resilience grow each day.