There is no perfect answer for this one because we are all different and have a different working style. Better yet, let’s identify what kills creativity and we just might unblock enough to become the artistic genius we are.

1. Multi-tasking and distractions
Some of us can work on tons of things at once. I have tried this. Eventually, there are so many piles on my desk here and at home that I forgot what I was supposed to be doing in the first place. There is no way I can focus on a project while returning emails, talking to clients on the phone, eating lunch – well, you get the picture. All the attention and energy should be on one thing at one time!

2. Lack of sleep
We love working our own hours. However, that can mean evenings, early mornings and weekends that are work-filled and without much sleep. Lack of sleep is a creativity killer! How do you focus on a task and be inspired when all you want to do is close your eyes? Just sat through a quick meeting with someone that was excited by how little sleep he gets and oh yeah, he yawned at least 3 times in 10 minutes. Work is still going to be there tomorrow. Go home, sleep and come back tomorrow with a fresh perspective.

3. Fear of rejection
We all want to please clients, but we don’t take it personally. Sure, we are presenting to clients all the time and sometimes they don’t agree with our creative vision. We use the creative (sometimes negative) energy and retool it and get back to the drawing board. If we are hired for being creative, clients believe in us.

4. Financial insecurity
How can we focus on a project when all we can think of is overhead, credit cards and the mortgage? As a creative agency, we are constantly working and proposing projects on a speculation basis. We know that our clients do appreciate our pricing because we focus on less projects, work one-on-one with our clients and provide an on-time and on budget service.

5. Pressure and Deadlines
Clients have high expectations and that’s ok. They pay the bill. But how can we be creative under pressure? Some of us have no problem with it and others deliver even better under strict deadlines and conditions. Our objective is to stay focused on the task completion dates and to over-deliver for our clients. At Edge, we make a promise to the client and then allow some time in the project structure for us to go the ‘extra mile' within the time allotted.

What are your creativity killers? Love to hear from anyone and their opinions.