A typical problem

Something that happens to me time and time again is the situation where I set out to work on some clay and I feel very inspired, but then I get there and it seems my brain is empty. I have pieces to decorate, but I don't know where to begin. I can't think of colors, and what color combinations to use, ands what shapes, and for what purpose....
I thought that my idea of making letter tiles would resolve many of those nagging questions, but no. Still there, to some extent. I think I need to strike a balance between just being open to playing with simple combinations and stretching myself to new and more complex patterning.