If you're a creative entrepreneur, you know that going from idea to result is not always a straight line down a meadow. Transforming innovative ideas into reality takes guts.
The road from spark of inspiration to execution will be a trecherious path filled with creative blocks, time management issues, and the need to stay original in a competitive market. Recognizing these challenges is the first step to overcoming them.
The second step is building creative habits.
Working your creativity and productivity muscle every day is crucial. Here are three shortcuts that help keep creative entrepreneurs Deb Putnoi, Perry Rath, and Kathryn Snell-Ryan pushing forward in their creative journey. Each has carved out a niche by embracing practices that foster creativity and turn fleeting ideas into impactful realities.
Embrace big, bold brainstorming
Brainstorming is key for innovative thinking and novel solutions. Deb Putnoi, a champion of expansive and unrestrained ideation, emphasizes that brainstorming sessions provide a unique space for creative freedom.
Create a "brainstorming wall" in your workspace where you can freely add, remove, and adjust ideas as they evolve. This visual and dynamic method keeps your projects in view and serves as a constant source of inspiration
- Commit to weekly or monthly brainstorming sessions.
- Use large sheets of paper and markers to visually map out your thoughts.
- Allow messiness and embrace errors during these sessions.
Trust yourself and let go of perfection
The pursuit of perfection will kill more art and projects than any other roadblock in the creative journey. Perry Rath, a creativity coach, art educator & artist, urges creatives to push past the feeling of self-doubt and the need for perfection by creating without restraint. Creativity flourishes in freedom and authenticity.
Keep a "creative journal" where you can sketch, write, doodle, or experiment without concern for the final product's quality. This journal will become a testament to your creative journey and a source of inspiration.
- Give yourself permission to create something that may not meet your usual standards of perfection.
- Appreciate the act of creating as a valuable experience.
- Establish daily or weekly creative sessions aimed at creating freely without judgment or self-criticism.
Show up and create, no matter your mood
Consistency in creative practice is key for sustaining and nurturing your creative flow. Kathryn Snell-Ryan, a Maker & Art Therapist helping people stay creative and curious, emphasizes the importance of committing to your creative practice regardless of your mood.
Establish a "creative corner" in your environment. Commit to spending at least 15 minutes there every day, even if it's just to tidy up or prepare materials for your next session.
- Designate specific times each day or week for your creative endeavors.
- Understand that not every session needs to result in significant progress.
- Use your creative time to experiment and play, stepping out of your comfort zone.
Last Thoughts on transforming creative ideas into reality
The journey from conceiving a creative idea to bringing it to fruition is filled with challenges but also immense satisfaction. The daily practices that Deb, Perry, and Kathryn have embraced and shared here offer a roadmap to transforming ideas into tangible realities.
Letting go of restraints in brainstorming, trusting yourself while letting go of perfection, and showing up to create no matter what are practices that can unlock your potential and encourage a flow of rich and varied ideas.
Start small. Incorporate these habits into your routine with simple, manageable actions that gradually build momentum. Whether dedicating a wall to brainstorming, keeping a judgment-free journal, or setting aside daily creative time, each step moves you towards a more dynamic and fulfilling creative process.
