The most important part of the creative process? Is it proper training? Innate creativity? A pleasant attitude? Those are all important, but I’ve found that the single most important tip for keeping creative juices flowing is having enough discipline to take a break.

Discipline? Yes, if you are a work-a-holic like me, you may feel guilty for sitting and doing nothing. Knowing that work is piling up around you and clients are waiting with baited breath to see what you are going to come up with. Often it takes shear willpower on my part to get up and walk away from a project. Sometimes something as simple as moving to another room for a few minutes will inspire creativity.

I had a similiar situation occur last night. I had been working on a particular project for several hours. The longer I stared at the piece, the bigger the project seemed to get. I was nearing despair, trying to get water from a well that seemed to be dry. Finally, realizind that I needed to walk away from the work for a bit, I decided to go take a quick shower to relax a bit. While away, I purposed NOT to think about the dilemma I was facing. Instead I sang, made some notes for a party I’m planning and focused on my blessings. Suddenly with soap in hand, the answer I had been seeking flooded my mind.

I jumped out and hurriedly dressed so I could return to my computer and implement the idea. It worked! And was a perfect fit for the piece!

Now, that’s not to say you need to shower everytime you hit a creative wall. There are lots of things you can do. I’ll share some of my favorites:

1. Work out: walk, run, jog, anything to get your endorphins flowing.
2. Hand wash your car: a physical activity will require a different part of your brain.
3. Take time out to devote to a pet: play fetch with fido or spend a few qualities moments with your cat.
4. Get out the crayons: for those of us that work our magic with computers everyday, creative drawing is a great release
5. Make a fun snack: go to the kitchen and see what you can concoct from no more than 3 ingredients.
6. Mow the grass: though it sounds like a chore, getting out in the sunlight will rejuvenate you.
7. Call a friend: never have time to catch up? Call and old friend and chat for a few minutes.
8. Work a crossword puzzle or suduko: Using a different side of your brain will prove very relaxing.
9. Read a "real" book: Real vs. Online PDF. Grab a book and sit outside under a tree.
10. Take a drive: if you want to connect this with work, drive down an interstate or in an area that has lots of billboards.

Remember that a "break" doesn’t need to be several hours. Sometimes, all you need is 10 minutes to get refreshed. Taking a break occasionally and you will see a difference in the work you produce and your quality of life!

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