How to Generate Ideas When Your Creative Well Feels Dry

A solution that helped me write today's newsletter

Ever been this desperate for a new idea?

How to Generate Ideas When Your Creative Well Feels Dry

Hi again,

Ever sit down to write, create, or plan something, and just... nothing? Your brain feels empty. Every idea seems unoriginal. And the harder you try, the more it feels like pushing a rock uphill.

Yeah, that was me just now.

I was looking at lists of topics I’ve written about before, hoping for inspiration, and instead, I felt stuck. Like my idea well had run completely dry. It didn’t feel good—it felt frustrating. I felt totally blocked.

But then something shifted. And then, I had this idea for a newsletter.

So, what happened? And more importantly, how can you get yourself unstuck the next time you feel like your creative tank is on empty?

The Mindset Shift That Unlocked My Creativity

I remembered something simple: I’ve been here before.

I asked myself, Haven’t I come up with ideas for writing in the past?

Of course I have. I’ve stared at the blank page before and most of the time, I found my way through it.

That thought alone was enough to change how I felt. I went from blocked to resourceful, from stuck to oh yeah, I can do this.

This isn’t just a random mindset trick—it’s backed by an approach called Solution-Focused Brief Coaching. One of its core questions is: How have you succeeded at this before? When you remind yourself that you’ve solved a problem before, you tap into a sense of confidence and capability that shifts your perspective.

And that’s really the key—most of the time, creative blocks aren’t a lack of ideas. They’re an emotional state. If you feel stuck, drained, or doubtful, your brain won’t cooperate. But when you shift to a resourceful state of mind, ideas flow naturally.

How to Get Into a Resourceful State (So Ideas Flow Easily)

If you’re struggling to generate ideas, it’s not because you’re out of ideas. It’s because you’re not in the right state of mind to see them. So, the real question is: What’s getting in the way?

Here’s how to fix it, based on what’s holding you back:

1. If you’re feeling a crisis of confidence:

➡️ Remember past successes. Think of a time you struggled but figured it out anyway. Let that memory remind you: I am resourceful. I can do this.

2. If you’re mentally drained or exhausted:

➡️ Boost your energy first. Listen to energizing music, go for a short walk, stretch—anything that physically moves your body.

3. If you truly feel like you’ve run out of ideas:

➡️ Look for inspiration to remix. Ideas don’t come from a vacuum. Look at past content you’ve created, revisit old notes, or examine what others are talking about in your field. Forming an opinion or adding a new angle is often all it takes to spark something fresh.

Why Originality is Overrated (And Why Remixing is Your Best Friend)

A lot of people think they need to come up with something completely new every time. But true originality is just clever remixing.

Even J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was inspired by Norse mythology, Christianity, and Shakespeare. Every idea we create is influenced by something else—it’s the unique way we put those influences together that makes our work valuable.

So, if you’re out of ideas? Remix. Take an old idea and add a fresh twist. Expand on a past insight. Or take inspiration from something unrelated to your field and apply it in a new way.

Try This Right Now

If you’re feeling stuck, pause for a moment and ask yourself:

• Have I solved this kind of problem before?

• What worked for me last time?

• What’s getting in the way of my creativity right now?

• How can I change my energy or mindset to feel more resourceful?

Chances are, just asking these questions will get the ideas flowing again.

What’s One Way I Can Help You?

• Need a simple system to turn your idea into a course fast? The Atomic Course Blueprint helps you outline, structure, and create bite-sized, high-impact courses—without getting stuck in idea limbo. Check it out here.

• Struggling with digital overwhelm? The iPARA System helps you organize your notes, files, and ideas so you always have inspiration at your fingertips. Learn more here.

Still here? I love that. 😊 If this article resonated with you, hit reply and let me know:

What’s your go-to method for generating ideas when you feel stuck? I’d love to hear it!

See you next time.

—Rodney