AdWeek interviewed Lisa Topol, a copywriter at Wieden + Kennedy in New York, most known for her recent work on the ESPN World Cup campaign using voiceovers from the band U2. The entire interview is good, but it is the last question that really stood out to me.

AdWeek: How do you get past a creative block?
Topol: I have no idea why this works, but I watch the Home Shopping Network and infomercials. To see someone stand there and talk for 30 minutes about a fake diamond ring and do it with such enthusiasm makes me laugh and relax a bit.

What a great idea! I mean, I can completely see the validity in why this would work. You turn on the tube, you veg out a bit on an informercial, it clears your mind, and then you find that you’ll be able to explore creative possibilities. I can say that I too have been using something similar to this for several years now. I find that I am most creative between the hours of 1am - 4am. Everyone is asleep, no one is on instant messenger, no emails are coming in, no calls are being made, and nothing is on TV. I’ve always come up with my best ideas when there are absolutely no other distractions in my life. Now the smart thing would be to make an infomercial selling a product that helps combat creative block!