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NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: EMBRACING THE SLUMP TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY – Blog  29

My next book is in progress ... the power of setbacks and stagnation …

MARTINA NICOLLS

Dec 10

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In the pursuit of productivity while I write my Paris book during the end of year rush to complete work tasks – humanitarian reports – I’m planning to strive for a steady upward trajectory of creativity during the vacation period.

The reality is productivity and progress in creativity is not always linear. It’s not realistic to expect each day to be more productive than the previous day. Sometimes, I hit a decline in motivation or a distraction caused by other tasks, but they might just be the very element needed for a breakthrough to new levels of creativity.

This concept is rooted in real patterns of growth and achievement. We see it in athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and even in our own lives. Often, the biggest breakthroughs follow the most significant slumps. The slump is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recalibrate.

The Slump: A Necessary Part of the Creative Process

A writer facing a blank page or an athlete struggling with a performance plateau, these may be precursors to new growth. In fact, one of the most consistent patterns we see in high-performing individuals is that they often experience their greatest leaps after their biggest lulls. Why is this? A slump forces a stop, a pause, a re-evaluation. When everything is moving smoothly, it’s easy to get caught up in the momentum and keep doing the same thing without much effort. But, in a slump, the discomfort leads to questions about the approach, the goals, the new methods, the reasons for the slump.

The Science Behind Setbacks and Stagnation

There’s an interesting psychological and physiological reason why slumps and setbacks often lead to future success. When faced with setbacks, the brain enters a state of neuroplasticity – the ability to rewire itself in response to new experiences. This means that during a slump, the brain is creating new neural pathways and learning how to solve problems in new ways.

In the world of sports, this concept is known as the “performance dip” when athletes often experience temporary declines in performance after intense training periods, as their bodies adjust to the new demands. Recovery is crucial for the body to grow stronger and to become more resilient. The same applies to creative projects. Taking a step back and enduring the slump allows time to regroup and approach challenges with fresh energy and insights.

A Slump in the Journey

The first step in using a slump as an advantage is acceptance. Slumps and setbacks are natural and inevitable – whether due to burnout, exhaustion, a creative dry spell, commitments and distractions elsewhere. Recognizing that these lulls are a normal part of the process allows enables detachment from productivity. Productivity isn’t a constant force. Everyone experiences lulls. But people worry that once in a slump, forever in a slump, and there’ll be no way out of stagnation. Not so, says scientists, so embrace it as part of the growth process, the journey, the lull before the firestorm of fertility and productivity.

Take a Step Back

When stuck in a rut, sometimes the best thing to do is stop. Step back and reflect on what’s not working. Overwhelmed by too many tasks? Chasing goals that no longer provide inspiration? A slump is the perfect time to determine “the why” – the deeper reasons behind why we do what we do. Reassess priorities and consider the need to adjust an approach, reframe goals, or seek new sources of inspiration.

Reflection is learning – it’s a teachable moment. Perhaps certain tactics aren’t as effective as first thought, or maybe life is pushing too hard, or maybe no rests or breaks means no breakthroughs. For me, I purposefully pushed onward to complete other tasks. In my case, I wanted to clear my work desk of major reports before I filled my desk with creative writing. I wanted to clear away the evaluative work to leave room for the creative work.

It's Not a Waste of Time, it’s a Launching Pad to Productivity

This lull doesn’t need to be a waste of time. It can be a fertile space for rest, creativity, and exploration. Less is more, someone said. Sometimes, doing less can lead to more. This reminds me of Canadian country singer MacKenzie Porter’s song Less is More on her new 2024 album:

“I’m thinking I’mma stay right here with you

Where less is more

Out here where less is more

We ain’t got no Eiffel Tower

But we got this water tower view

And it’s like it’s painted by the hand of God

A thousand shades of blue

We got a crayon Mona Lisa

Hanging crooked on the fridge

Yah I swear I see half of heaven

From this Wrangler on this ridge.”

I’m in Paris writing this Paris book, so I do have the Eiffel Tower and the real Mona Lisa hanging in The Louvre. So, I take a deep breath and trust the process. By embracing the slump, it creates space for growth and renewed productivity. Sometimes the most productive thing to do is to rest, reflect, and reset. Like the Eiffel Tower, the breakthrough could be just around the corner.