LinkedIn Learning: Breaking out of a Rut

31m * Beginner * Course

This course - led by Instructor Stefan Mumaw - was designed to help identify what type of rut you are in and deliver techniques and how to break out of it through creative nudges. Procrastination leads to inactivity. Ruts are the inevitable by-product of repetitive work.

Identify ruts

Short-term ruts are ones of daily repetition manifesting as unconscious choices that lead to similar executional results. An example of my own short-term ruts might be sleeping in longer than intended which then results in me feeling as though I’ve wasted the day, this means that when I do try to get into my work I have a low mood and even lower motivation. Mumaw claims the key to breaking short-term ruts is engaging in short-term experiences. For instance, waking up and deciding to participate in a quick design task or going for a short walk both activities are quick and easy but leave you with a feeling of satisfaction and confidence. That will stay with you the rest of the day, including while you tackle your work.

Mid-term rut busting involves more work, it requires planning, goals and moderate change. They usually have something to do with where you're in a particular position or project and if you feel a lack of progression. For instance, working in the same position without moderate improvement or promotion.

Long-term ruts are frequently life orientated. Long-term rut busting is something we engage in on an annual basis in the form of New Year's resolutions or long-term goals you set. They are often difficult to achieve and require an actionable plan, accountability and faith that the journey is worth it.

Short-term Rut Busting Techniques

1. Become a Pattern Hunter

We don't always notice how the environment around us is changing. Consequently we don't change with it. This becomes a problem when we subconsciously build a routine into our lives. Routines can inhibit our ability to see each day as new. This results in days blurring together and inadvertently leads to lack of motivation or inspiration. So it's important to learn how to identify and make a conscious effort to change or break routines. This change trains our brains to be more alert and should help in discovering more opportunities we might have otherwise missed.

2. Solve Something New

Creativity is problem-solving with relevance and novelty. Creative rocks often have to do with the problems you're solving perhaps they are not inspiring the levels of relevance and novelty we need. This technique Focuses on getting you to solve something new.

3. Flipping the Page

During this video Mumaw discusses ‘input’ as to what you are feeding your ‘creative monster’. I have taken this to refer to inspiration. For me this represents reading art history books, visiting galleries - although this isn't currently possible - scrolling through my discovery page on Pinterest as well as watching speed paint videos on YouTube, listening to music or watching a film I find aesthetically or creatively engaging. This serves two important roles: One, it is actively engaging in inspiration by consuming new ideas and perspectives from voices that are novel to me. Additionally Two it creates new experiences to draw from.

4. Get Handy

Studies have proven humans think better when their hands are busy. Purposeful experimentation with physical media whether through doodling or sculpting this will provide the brain something to process. Mumaw explains how this allows for simultaneous processing of other ideas because our hands are doing the heavy lifting. He also recommends always having a doodle space available and close especially when generating ideas.

5. Get Out

New experiences are really important Mumaw recommends aiming to engage in one new experience per week. He also suggests keeping a record and making deliberate time in your schedule dedicated to discovering and experiencing something new. This is a technique I am really interested in participating in as I thoroughly enjoy engaging with and learning about anything new!

Mid-term Rut Busting Techniques

1. Become a Student Again

Fringe classes support your experience and have a similar process just different mediums and are an invaluable commitment to creative growth. Learning something new stimulates the brain to think from a new perspective, it can lead to insights as well as inspire new ideas.

2. Get Lost in a Passion Project

A passion project as suggested by the name is not a part of your day job it's a side Project. In this video Mumaw discusses the importance of doing something you love not for money but simply to re-discover your passion and inspiration for your creative outlets. He recommends this should be a short term project as this allows you to focus on what it is that you're doing and less about deadlines or concerns over a long period.

3. Improvise

A comedy improv workshop can be really useful in developing action which is the key to creative output. It also encourages participation and risk-taking in a group setting. I found this technique refreshing, it wasn’t something I would have ever seen myself doing previously but now understanding how improv can benefit creative thinking, I’m interested in giving it a go.

Long-term Rut Busting Techniques

1. Get Moving

This technique is really important because the prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that battles and the amygdala anxiety signals and fears. Physical activity is a powerful tool to transform the persistent fear and anxiety that comes with the journey to create. It also works to build confidence through the release of serotonin. I surprisingly enjoyed learning about the science behind creativity and our brains so much so that I’m continuing to build my knowledge on the subject through the selection of another

course focused on this area.

2. Unplug

Distraction is a major cause of prevention from achieving goals, this is why it's important to find time and space to work unplugged. It enables focus and engagement in creativity.

I myself turn my phone off and leave it in a separate room whenever I have a particular piece of work or project on my mind and. Some of my friends have even complained to me after I've left my phone turned off for several days in a row in order to avoid getting caught into a conversation or news that will distract my focus. Unfortunately this also results in my constant teasing by my family members for a lack of knowledge on the current goings on in both the world and within my own home.

Some artists go as far as to retreat off the grid for extended periods of time in order to really zone in to their creative endeavours.

3. Restructure

You're in control of your priorities, in order to fully benefit from this technique it's important to monitor how you use your time in depth. Then focus on prioritizing and trimming. Mumaw insists these three steps will lead to success in organising and motivating any creative project.

Reflection

These are just some of the techniques suggested throughout the duration of this course. I found this course really interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the majority of these exercises. I feel like this is a course I will refer back to in the future whenever I am struggling with focus, motivation or inspiration.