Remembering Your Creative Side
Last Updated on: September 5, 2023
Being creative is a key part of being successful but in moments of busy business work, we lose that spark.
How can we keep our creative side alive? First, let’s explore what creativity is.
What is creativity?
Many people think of creativity purely as a design skill. Wikipedia defines creativity as a phenomenon whereby someone creates something new and valuable.
This is what we are looking at in this article – how and why you must continue to bring something new, different and valuable to your projects.
Forget the Formula
There are many stories of success. Some people make a good living selling their success stories as a formula. But those that buy them rarely succeed… why?
There is no such thing as a formula, roadmap or step-by-step plan for success, happiness, love or anything intangible. Once it has been done by somebody you can’t repeat it and get the same results as them.
They are a different person with different histories and different goals. Time and the world have also changed since they did this, even if only a few days or weeks have passed.
I am not saying you can’t learn from other people’s success… but how you learn from them is important.
Forget the methods and look at how they solved the problem they faced. Learn the journey, the lessons, the attitudes, and the skills, but not the exact path.
Look Between the Lines
Instead of following exactly what other people have done, look at what was innovative about it. What did they do differently? Where is the inspiring moment?
Instead of looking at the surface results and what they are saying, look a bit deeper. Try to find what is happening between the lines and behind the words.
Once you have identified other people’s creative spark, see how you can apply it to yourself. Creativity is in us all and just needs a little time, trust and belief to bring it out.
Don’t let others think for you
Everybody has an opinion but only yours matters. If you normally worry about what others think about your idea or approach, stop.
Lead your peers and don’t let them lead you. People may criticise you or support you – either way, you know you are doing something right when people are talking about you.
Go with your gut instinct and stand out.
Losing and Finding Creativity
As a younger person, your ideas will have been more fanciful, more outrageous and generally more unrealistic.
Is there anything wrong with that?
Over time, Real Life™ beats that innocent imagination out of us. We start to look for a quick formula and a quick win to make things better.
Take that creativity back. Smile more and enjoy what you do. Trust your instinct and give yourself permission to be a bit wacky.
Break the rules
Sometimes you need to break the rules. When the first cashback website launched, it was a radical idea and many people wondered if this was fair, legal and a valid business. In reality, it broke boundaries and launched a whole new world for affiliates to explore.
Do less of the business plans and the market research, and more of the “what will happen if I do this?”.
Feed your Creativity
Give yourself room to breathe. Forget your to-do list for an afternoon and take yourself out of your normal environment. Talk to great people about your ideas and get excited.
We are all motivated differently. Find your own spark in your own way.
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