I once got asked to write an article about clearing creative blocks, but I couldn’t think of anything to say.

‘Turn it upside down’

Sometimes the more you work on something the more difficult it becomes to get it right. If you know that feeling try taking a look at Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt’s Oblique Strategies cards.

‘Faced with a choice, do both’

They’re a set of plain white cards presented in a very serious little black box. Each card has a simple phrase on it.

‘Go outside. Shut the door’

Choose a card and read it. Then read it again. Then read it again. Then think about it. Does it mean anything? Read it again. Think about it.

‘Work at a different speed’

Try to apply it and see where it takes you. Read the card again. Does it still mean the same thing? Try to apply it again.

‘Do something boring’

Have you completely forgotten about your original problem yet? Then you’re probably about to get a really good idea.

‘It is quite possible (after all)’

See the full set online, or even better get hold of a pack so you can switch off your computer.

‘Retrace your steps’