It happens to all of us: you’re cruising along, powering through projects and assignments, and suddenly you hit a wall. Bam. That once roaring river of ideas has dried up, and there isn’t even a puddle left to get you going.

So, now you’re sitting there, staring at a blank canvas or a blinking cursor wondering what to do. Switch to a different task? Take a walk? Maybe you should call it a day and reengage after a good night’s sleep. But what if time isn’t on your side? What if a deadline is fast approaching and you need to get the wheels turning right now?

I can’t guarantee any of the following exercises will work for you, but give one a try next time you’re in a pinch. They don’t take long, and they’ve jumpstarted my right brain on more than a few occasions.

1. Dive into a picture.

Find a photo blog. Any one will suffice as long as the subject matter has nothing to do with the assignment you’re working on. My go-to is shorpy.com, a stockpile of high-res, vintage photography with a focus on early 1900s America.

Move quickly through each post until a picture makes you stop.

Look closely at that picture, and jot down short answers to the following questions:

• What is the most interesting thing about this picture? The more specific, the better.
• What is the story behind this picture? Make it up; unleash your imagination.
• What’s going to happen next? Again, nothing is off limits.

If you don’t hold back, you should come up with something interesting. Now quit stalling and sick that imagination on the pesky project you’re stuck on.

2. Browse your swipes.

Got a swipe folder? If not, start one today.

A swipe folder is a collection of exceptional work you’ve come across throughout your career. Swipes can be hard copies, digital files, browser bookmarks, or any combination of formats. The important thing is that they’re easily accessible and relevant to what you do.

A well-kept swipe folder is a priceless source of ideas and inspiration, but you can also use it to challenge yourself. Look at all that great work done by your peers. Are you on their level? If they can do it; so can you. No more excuses; go get ‘em, tiger.

3. Get out of your head.

Your head can be a dangerous place when you’re in a creative funk – full of second-guesses, fears and insecurities. When you’re in your head, you tend to throw these tools of over-thinking at every idea that tries to find its way out.

Here’s a little auditioning trick (inspired by Cameron Thor) that will help you get into the room and out of your head, giving your ideas a clear path to freedom.

It’s simple. Just take a look around the room and fixate on any three things, one at a time. Start with the clock on the wall. Observe every specific detail you can distinguish – like the color, the shape, how old it looks, the number font, and so on. Then do the same with your pen or your coffee mug or the wallpaper.

It doesn’t matter what you choose as long as you force yourself to focus on all of the little things that you don’t normally notice or think about.

Now that you’re distracted, quickly push forward on your next idea before you have time to jump back in and doubt it. Once it’s on paper (or screen), you’ll have a chance to fine-tune it or morph it into something great.