143: 21 Tools to Get Through a Creative Funk ONKEN radio

"Taking on a proper perspective can temper us for great success and creating a full life."

Hey, guys, welcome back to ONKEN RADIO (previously NION Radio). In this podcast, we explore the body, mind, and soul of the creative entrepreneur. It's my goal to help you take your creativity, business, and life to the next level. I'm so glad you're joining me on this journey!



We all go through funks in our creative journey. In fact, I’m going through one right now. It’s really challenging when your creative outlet is also your living — it adds a whole other level of complication and can make your funk even worse because not only is your creativity not at its best but neither is your money-making.



When I get in a funk, I find myself questioning everything: Am I good enough? Am I on the right path? Am I an impostor? When is the next job coming? My inner critic is raging, and it’s a constant battle not to take any rejection personally.



We can’t choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we deal with them. So today I’m sharing 21 tools to help you get through a funk in your creative career.

What’s Your Funk?

Funks are part of everyone’s journey. They’re all part of the up and down wave of life. Now the thing about funks is they come from different sources. Sometimes, it can be in the lack of presence or judging one’s self. When your funk comes from the latter, expect that its stink will crawl in every aspect of your life, whether it’s business, personal relationships, or career.



But if you think that’s bad enough, there’s something a lot worse about funks—they’re experienced by everyone and your situation doesn’t really matter. You can be in your lowest moment and feel it, but you can also be at the top of the world, and still smell funk everywhere. 



Because the reality will always be that we’re humans. Though we might have different backgrounds and upbringings, we are bound by the lack of uniqueness when it comes to experiencing emotions. We all can be happy, feel giddy, and of course, feel despair and failure as well. We are all capable of emotions.



Despite that, it doesn’t mean that we all react to things similarly. As they say, we can never choose our circumstances, but we can always control how we react to them. I’ve personally known from experiences that powerful people have risen from the trenches of their circumstances and upbringings that are direr than anyone can even ever imagine. And based on the successful people I’ve interviewed and photographed, the common theme is that mindset is the key to get over your funks and reach success.



So before we go through all the different tools to manage their funks better, I challenge you to ask yourself this, “What’s my funk?” Remember that the answer doesn’t need to be solely about money, but it could be about your life in general. Knowing the answer to this question will help you maximize the tools I’m about to share with you. Let’s get started. 

21 Tools to Get You Through a Funk

These are some of the tools I believe are beneficial to get you over a funk.

#1: Perspective Is Key 

Always remember the Persian adage that says, “This too shall pass.” Despite how dark or low of a place you’re in right now, have comfort that all your suffering is destined to end. You’ll be able to get through this, and you'll be back up on the top of your game in no time. 

#2: Awareness Is Key in Life

I believe that awareness of your emotions, what you're going through, everything around you, and what you're thinking is important so that you can know the things that you can change. This is a part of the process I call Identity Alchemy. It might not always be the most pleasant experience, but it can help you shift your perspective to make your life better. 

#3: You Are Not Your Thoughts

Thoughts are just thoughts.