This document lists 23 blocks to creativity organized into 6 categories: self-defeating beliefs, self-imposed emotional blocks, work obstacles, intellectual/expressive blocks, societal pressures. Some examples of blocks include the beliefs that play is only for children, that ideas should not be fun or humorous, fear of failure, stress, lack of cooperation among colleagues, inadequate skills to express ideas, and the information overload of modern society. The awareness of these potential blocks can help overcome them and boost creativity.

1. 23 Blocks to Creativity

2. Block Awareness
• Awareness to the blocks to creativity helps
to push away blocks
• Here is a list of 23 Blocks

3. Six Self Defeating Beliefs
– Fantasy & reflection are a waste of time
– Playfulness is for children only
– Problem solving is serious business; no fun or
humor are allowed
– Reason, logic, numbers, practicality are good
and feelings and intuition are bad
– Tradition is preferable to change
– Your are not creative

4. Seven Self- Imposed or
Emotional Blocks
• Fear of failure
• Inability to tolerate ambiguity and hang out until
the best solution can be developed
• Inability to relax or incubate
• Excessive zeal to succeed quickly
• Lack of persistence
• Stress or depression
• Poor health habits: high fat diet, insufficient
exercise & sleep.

5. Seven Work Obstacles
• Lack of cooperation and trust among
colleagues
• Autocratic management
• Too many distractions and easy intrusions
• Lack of acknowledgment or support of
ideas and bringing them to action
• Wrong livelihood

6. Three Intellectual or Expressive
Blocks
• Lack of or incorrect information
• Inadequate skill to express or record ideas
– Verbally
– Visually
– Mathematically
• Lack of intellectual challenge

7. Three Societal Pressures
• Bombardment of information and pressure
to keep up – Infoglut
• Acceleration of the pace of life and time –
Life speed
• Addiction to consumerism