journal
Mindset for creative entrepreneurs: from ‘stuck’ to ‘in motion’
There’s a particular kind of stuck that creative entrepreneurs know well.
Perhaps not dramatic.
Maybe less catastrophic.
Just… heavy.
You’re still thinking. And perhaps busy, yet not producing the ‘gold’.
Progress may feel slower. Decisions drag. Ideas circle. Tweaking instead of completing.
You know you’re capable of more, yet struggling with creating traction.
This isn’t a lack of talent. And it’s rarely a lack of ideas.
The core of the problem may be momentum.
In my work in creative business coaching, this is one of the most common moments creatives reach out: not when things are falling apart—but when they’re going nowhere fast.
That’s why this blog is focused on creative work/business stalling, and how to get moving again.
The (often not discussed) Weight Creative Entrepreneurs Carry
Creative work is deceptively demanding.
You’re not just running a business.
You’re making meaning.
You’re translating ideas into something other people want to own.
That’s a lot to carry—especially if you’re doing it solo.
What can be misinterpreted as procrastination, or creative block can be overload:
- too many options
- unclear priorities
- unresolved money questions
- no external rhythm to push against
When everything depends on you, it’s a lot!. Therefore it’s a coping strategy to stall.
Getting unstuck isn’t about motivation. It’s about removing friction.
Why “Stuck” Is a Signal, Not a Personal Flaw
Here’s a reframe that may be helpful:
Stuck can mean you have outgrown your previous style of working/creating.
One absolute is that change is a constant. So, as time passes and you update, the mindset that worked prior may not fit for carrying you forward.
At first, energy and enthusiasm may do the heavy lifting. Later, you need to upgrade you’re your thinking and adapt as you develop.
While structure can be the kryptonite to creativity, simplicity is the key. And structure is generated by crafting clarity, and decision-making frameworks. Without these to support you, your creative energy can be sapped by the ‘admin’. And your momentum skipping into the sunset with it.
This is where combining business + creative thinking matters.
You don’t need less creativity.
You need the supports to protect it to stay live and vital.
Momentum Begins With Credible Communication
When a creative business/output loses momentum, communication with yourself can be a key part of the issue.
Through the lens of promoting what you do, (translate this as creating accountability when you share with the outside world), have you factored in:
- How clearly can you explain what you do?
- How easily can you describe who it’s for?
- How much courage do you need to bring, to share these point out loud?
If your language is vague, it’s communicating that you are not backing yourself yet.
Crafting credible communication—one of the core Genèvre Creative values—is about making your work moveable. Clear language creates belief in others. Courage creates action. Action creates momentum.
When you stop over or under-explaining and start articulating, the energy of self-belief builds swiftly.
Courageous Growth Isn’t Loud—It’s Decisive
Momentum doesn’t come from bold leaps.
It comes from decisions. And these can be small, incremental ones.
Deciding:
- what you’re focusing on now
- what you’re saying no to (important boundaries to support yourself)
- which of your offers matters the most to you
- what “let’s give it a go” looks like
In practice, too much flexibility or openness can create drag. Too many options can block depth.
Courageous growth is choosing direction even when multiple paths look appealing. Especially then.
Once a simple decision is made, energy returns. Movement follows.
Creative Flow Loves Simplicity (Controversial!)
Here’s the paradox many creatives come up against:
Simplicity doesn’t limit creativity—it liberates it.
When your business/output has too many options, the creativity can be the first to go:
Bye-bye to easy strategy, pricing, timelines, planning your projects.
Hello Exhausterwhelmulated (a blend of feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and overstimulated).
However, it you underpin your creative business with clarity:
- clear offers
- uncomplicated processes
- upfront pricing
- creative boundaries of what does and doesn’t support your output
Then, you can take the weight off that has stymied your creative work. Ideas can flow again because you’ve backed yourself and put in the supports that are right for you.* This is vital! Other people’s recommendations may not be the right fit for you, you do you, in the way you know best.
There is less ‘busy’ work, when you’ve designed your ideal working environment.
Community Creates Momentum Faster Than Solo Willpower
Do you know the saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together”?
Nothing slows momentum like thinking solo, in circles.
Creative entrepreneurs are often brilliant thinkers—but solo thinking has limits. Without external reflection, supportive challenges, or the backing of peers, it’s easier to stall in a state of “almost ready.”
Connection with peers can be the feedback loop that supports the next step:
- conversations that clarify
- questions that sharpen
- accountability that nudges
- perspective that expands
Perhaps you need more external exchange, rather than internal discipline.
The Cashflow Shift That Unlocks Movement
Let’s talk about money—not as pressure, but as propulsion.
Creative businesses get stuck when income feels unpredictable or emotionally loaded. Decisions become cautious. Ideas get delayed. Risk feels less fun.
A cashflow mindset doesn’t mean chasing growth at all costs. It means understanding what supports forward motion.
Cashflow clarity allows you to:
- choose with informed wisdom
- invest in yourself
- pace your funds
- stay in the work long enough to evolve
When money is unclear, the future is less certain. When it’s understood, you have clarity, which supports the timing of your momentum.
Creative Blocks Are Often Momentum Blocks
Most creative blocks aren’t about imagination. They’re about context.
Ideas stall when:
- there’s no deadline
- no audience clarity
- no commercial container
- no next step defined
Once a direction is chosen, creativity responds.
Overcoming creative blocks often looks like:
- refining an offer
- clarifying a message
- setting a boundary
- committing to one path
Momentum is magnetic. Creativity follows movement.
This is the difference with creative business coaching that understands both worlds. Rather than romanticising chaos, we can building supports that foster expression.
The goal isn’t hustle.
It’s flow with direction.
Getting Unstuck Is a Design Problem
If your business feels stuck, rather than asking:
“What’s wrong?”
You could ask:
“What needs adjusting so there is less friction??”
When we remove the resistance, we actively design ease. When we have this space, then movement and momentum can flow.
Do any of these resonate?
- You’re a creative who feels capable, yet has stalled
- You’re ready for clarity, momentum, and movement
- You want support that honours both your creativity and your output/business
That’s the work I do.
👉 Creative business coaching designed to get you unstuck—and create the supports to get you moving (beyond our time together).
You don’t need more pressure.
You need more ease, simpler decisions, and space to move forward.
And momentum?
That’s built, one aligned step at a time.
