Sometimes the inner critic can dominate your thoughts, making it difficult to be creative and productive. Many years ago, I read The Artist’s Way, an inspirational book for people who feel ‘blocked’ and want to be creative again. One of the things that the author suggested was a weekly ‘artist’s date’.

The idea is to take an hour or so for yourself without friends, family, or even colleagues distracting you, choose something to do that you wouldn’t usually do, and spend time on your own doing it.

For example, I visited the site were William Blake was born, one lunchtime when I still worked in London. Even though the original house no longer existed (a blue plaque marked the spot) just going there took me out of all the usual negative thoughts I was having and made me focus on someone I found inspirational. I imagined him living there and writing and drawing.

The secret is, and this is very important, you need to go on your own. Other people will want you to focus on them, possibly act bored, not get it, or just be a distraction.

Take time out and good luck. You can read about and buy The Artist’s Way, here.