Great artists and creative people understand the power of the “creative instinct” – that sick, gnawing feeling we have when we know something is very right or very wrong. The only way to develop our instincts is to continue to trust them, regardless of outcome and refusing to compromise when we know we are right.

This is a dangerous position.

We risk failure. We risk a loss of equity. We risk embarrassment.

But if we don’t follow our instinct and stand up for our what we know, what we feel, what will prove itself to be right, that’s a worse failure than compromising. Never taking a risk emasculates our art.

Author Jeffrey Hayzlett says: “A good litmus test for the value of your idea, no matter how big or small it may be: it cannot compromise your principles of who or what you are, even if it violates the procedures you have in place.”

That’s the key. Never compromise your principles while following your instincts.

Mission and art. Creativity and purpose. Principles and risk. All necessary for creative impact.

Your instincts matter. Don’t compromise great art, art that will have an impact, because of fear. You are creative and your organization needs your instincts if it’s going to grow and innovate. Allow your mission and principles to be your guide as you create art that will scare and be uncomfortable for others.

Have you learned to trust your creative instinct?
Do you know the principles of your organization well enough to not violate the principles when you refuse to compromise on your art and instincts?

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We are creative. No secret there. But, have we ever taken the time to process how our creativity actually works? In a recent article on the development of creative plans, the Harvard Business Review developed the “Essential Five-Step Processes For Creativity”:

1. Identification -
What is the problem?
How do we define the problem?
What is the data that surrounds this problem that will allow us to be our creative best?
Are there alternative methods, messages, or ideas around this problem?
In the identification stage, creative people thrive because we’re able to move more nimbly through the data, collect better data – due to the approaches and lens from which we view the issues. We offer uncommon and not normal view points of the problem and approach the issues far different than those who are more rationally wired.

2. Mapping -

The process of consciously and unconsciously connecting thoughts, related or otherwise. This is where our ideas are born. We pull on experience, history, imagery, and imagination to attempt to find commonality and connections between things that may not naturally connect. The more obscure these things are, the more creative we become.

3. Connecting -

The moment where the connections begin to galvanize. This is where the equation begins to make sense and the pieces of our creative plan start to come together.

4. Evaluation -

The attempt to grade and prioritize the ideas. Will these ideas work? Are they good enough to solve the problem? Do they have holes or potential error zones that will cause new problems?

5. Improvement -

This stage separates the professionals from the weekend warriors. The more creative, innovative, or inventive the artist, the more time they spend in this stage. Repeating, editing, refining, and sometimes scrapping and returning to stage 1 in order to ensure the best idea – the idea that uniquely solves our problem, when possible, like no one else has thought of before and without imitation.

Once we have mapped how we actually come up with ideas, it can help us become better at being our creative best.

Do you notice these steps in how you process creatively?

We often hear how success changes people.

You know the story: someone we know is super cool, and then they find success or get a little power in their position and suddenly become a jerk.

It’s not true.

Success does not change us, it only magnifies what has always existed inside of us.

See, when we start out, we have zero equity. With zero equity comes zero influence. No one has to put up with us because they have nothing to lose by blowing us off and we usually have nothing to offer them that will improve their situation. Over time, our talent and creativity start to develop. We start to get a little better at what we do and people notice. As people notice, we start to have more opportunity. When we dominate our new opportunities we get more “successful”. Now, the same people who would pay us little attention desire to get all of our attention.

So how are we going to act?

We talk a ton about developing our creative gifts. We work hard to study and refine our skills. But how much time are we talking to make sure we are capable of handling any success that may come our way?

• Start by serving others every day. Find a way to serve others rather than being served by others.
• Remember what got you here. Then, repeat it every day. Don’t change the reason why you do what you’ve always done.
• Imagine what life is like in “their” shoes. Others’ opinions and perspective is based on the baggage they bring into our relationships, just like our perspective is based on our baggage.
• Accept the blame but give away the praise. It will keep us grounded and remind us how important it is to have other great people in our lives.
• Don’t read your press. It’s dangerous and when you start to believe it, it will kill you.
• Avoid the highs and lows. We’re never as good as our successful moments. But we’re also never as bad as our failures. Understand that life is going to bring us both. Our identity is not found in what we do but in who we are.
• Have someone who can stop you in your tracks. We all need one person who can be the voice of reason in our lives – the person who loves us enough to tell us the truth, even when we don’t want to hear it, that can stop us dead in our tracks.
• Never ask anyone to do something you would not do. Plain and simple.
• Be someone’s champion. Finding other talented and up-and-coming people helps us remember how we arrived. At some point, someone took a chance on us. Who are we willing to take a chance on?
• Remember who you are. You. Not your art. Not your song. Not your message. Not your gift or your talent. Who are you. The person your kids knows. That person your Mom calls on Saturdays…stay connected to that girl/guy.

And never forget…

Success does not change us, it only magnifies what has always existed inside of us.

How do you stay grounded?

School often tries to teach us formulas and rules to how we should approach problems and life, for that matter. Anyone who has ever been tasked or called to create understands that creativity is not built on formulas, but on inspiration, rhythm, and free thinking. A recent issue of Pyschology Today released a list of 12 things our schools failed to teach us about creativity // with a little commentary:

• 1. You are creative. // Everyone is creative. Not everyone is an artist, but everyone is creative.
• 2. Creative thinking is work. // Creativity does not just appear. It takes work, effort, and practice. Creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised. The more it’s exercised, the better it becomes.
• 3. You must go through the motions of being creative. // Sometimes the motions help us find our rhythm. Rhythm is so important to creativity. When we find our rhythm, we’re able to do better work.
• 4. Your brain is not a computer. // You have to feed it, let it rest, protect it. We can’t treat our brain like a machine because, in doing so, our expectations will not be met.
• 5. There is no right answer. // Search for new ways and new options to do what we’ve always done and the things we’ve never done before.
• 6. Never stop with your first good idea. // Ideas get better the more we work with and develop them.
• 7. Expect the experts to be negative. // People are going to hate. It’s our job to shake the haters. We should be creating art that people love or hate – not art that lives in the middle. When art lives in the middle, it’s ignored and that is way worse than it being hated.
• 8. Trust your instincts. // You were made to do this. The more you trust your instincts, the better they will get. Learn to hear them and then be brave enough to trust them.
• 9. There is no such thing as failure. // Failing is simply uncovering what didn’t work so we can try it a different way next time. If we live in fear of failure, we will never create great art.
• 10. You do not see things as they are; you see them as you are. // Our perspective, as creative people, provides a lens that is different from everyone else’s. Our best creativity will help us solve new problems, be innovative, and create better art when we apply that lens to everything we see.
• 11. Always approach a problem on its own terms. // Just like no two artists are the same, neither are any two problems.
• 12. Learn to think unconventionally. // A. Stay in a posture of learning. B. Work to find new ways of thinking, processing, and to find new lenses to filter information. The better we get at this task, the better we will be at creating things that have never before been created.

Most of us are out of school, but we should go back for a minute and study these missed lessons. Let’s find ways to re-learn and use these missing lessons to be our absolute best in how we approach our art.

Are there any other lessons you have learned about creativity that you wish you had learned in school but didn’t?

U2 front man Bono penned a lyric saying:
“The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear.”
As artists, it’s important to remember and embrace our individual and unique right to be ridiculous from time to time.

The exercise of discovering the unique traits where we create our best art can be ridiculous in and of itself. A few examples of the ridiculous could be:

• Creating art from a certain posture.
• Listening to music that creates a particular mood.
• Working at a specific hour when we feel our most creative.
• Finding the environment that allows our creativity to flow without restraint.
• Wearing the uniform that aids us to be comfortable enough to create.
• Following our creative routine.
• Breaking our creative routine.
• Finding the appropriate rhythm that reinforces our ability to be our creative best.
• Fighting to protect what you have created.
• Being willing to follow your instincts on the art you are creating.

The danger for artists and creators is not the ridiculous, but when we jump from ridiculous to prima-donna. When we become impossible to work with or to relate to and become troublesome in our organizations, we have leaped from ridiculous to resistant (prima-donna). As an artist, you never want to make that transition because in that place, you sacrifice influence in your space and equity with those you work with. If you feel yourself making that transition, pull back.

Ridiculous artists only become that way because they care passionately about the art they are creating. They understand what they’re attempting to produce and know that – in order to accomplish art on such a level – they can’t work inside the norms. Being ridiculous actually means you care about what you’re doing.

So today you have permission to be a little ridiculous. Be unique and uniquely different. Embrace your own personal ridiculous today. Enjoy it and hold it dear. You cherishing those moments may just be what we need to share your next big idea!
What are some of your ridiculous habits that help you be your most creative?

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There is one very easy, very simple, and very affordable way for your organization to get more creative, more innovative, and more on vision – and it can happen in the next 24 hours, if you so desire:

GET DIVERSE.

As creative professionals, we tend to try really hard to protect the creative process. When we do this, it limits our ability to truly help our organizatons.

Alicia Arenas, founder and CEO of Sanera, The People Development Company, is a distinguished business consultant, coach, corporate facilitator and speaker. Alicia has been quoted saying:

“The core of diversity lies in understanding that we are better performers, better leaders, better service providers and better people when we surround ourselves with those who are different from us. However, the reality is that most adults are more comfortable with people who are just like them.”

Leaders – when we do not include the crazy creatives in some of our decisions, we are missing an element that keeps us from being our best.

Creatives – when we do not engage the rest of our organizations and their ideas, we limit not only our influence, but also our ability to impact the greater good of our organization.

Simply – when we create diverse environments, we all are much better. Diversity creates opportunity.

Do you want to get diverse? It is not as difficult as you would think:

• Start inviting people into conversations. That simple. Bring in people who are not normally part of your “world”. They will provide a unique lens and filter to your situation.
• Destroy Silos. Silos limit potential and cripple organizations. The more cross pollination that we have, the better our organizations will be. Silo busting is hard work because people who build silos built them like Fort Knox. But, when VISION and MISSION are the driving force and not method or agenda, it removes a lot of the need for a silo.
• Find Backstory. Just because someone works in one department today may not mean they ALWAYS have worked in that department. You may have hidden “consultants” inside your organization that have the ability to pull info and ideas from experienced people. Finding out about peoples past creates great options for leaders.
• Create Community Culture. Diversity thrives when community is developed. Find ways inside your normal work week to create spaces, times, and events where people from different fields interact and form relationship. The stronger the relationships your teams have, the better work place you create. Also, when people have a relationship with each other they are more willing to work and fight for each other.
• Lead with vision. Simple concept, but not as simple to execute. It takes intentionality, culture, and good leadership to keep everyone on not only the same page, but the RIGHT same page.

Do you work in a diverse environment? What are some ways you have found to cross bridges inside of your organizations?

“Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates

Do you wonder? Wonder what could be? Wonder what is next? Wonder what may be possible?

Wonder has the ability to ignite creativity and ideas.

The fact that we have to work removes the ability to ALWAYS wonder, but how do we avoid the trap of business and stay in a posture that allows us to wonder?

1. Be Alert. If we want to experience the power of “wonder,” we have to stay alert. Creative stimulation is all around us but, if we are not alert, parades of creativity can pass our path and we’ll never realize what we’re missing. We should commit to documenting one thing each day that peaks our interest and makes us wonder. When we do this, we’re actually creating a list of ideas that can be used the next time we feel a creative block settling over us.

2. Ask Lots Of Questions. Without the curiosity of questions, wonder won’t exist. Asking questions clears confusion and helps to clarify expectations. When we ask questions, we define vision, direction, and opportunity. Questions often slow down the process just enough for wonder to catch its breath and create ideas.

3. Embrace The Frame. Creative people tend to desire canvases without boundaries. However, boundaries help us know when we have gone too far or if we have not gone far enough. Wonder exists inside the boundaries defined by the frames of our projects.

4. Desire a “yes, and” environment. Wonder dies in negative environments. “No” and “Can’t” tend to shut down wonder before she has a chance to do her thing. Yes opens opportunities. Yes opens doors that No slams shut. Wonder needs space and positivity to flourish. When we desire “Yes, And” environments, we create space for wonder to thrive.

Without wonder in our art, we risk the chance of becoming stale. If we want to avoid “dry seasons” of creativity, we have to cultivate a relationship with wonder and respect what wonder means to our creative process.

What would you add to the list of ways to stay in a posture of Wonder?

We all know the importance of the ten commandments – the golden rule for how we’re supposed to live our lives. But what about a golden rule for our creativity? Blogger Andrew Zahn developed a less sanctimonious list than Moses, but it’s a list that can be adapted to our creative lives. Here’s the list with a little commentary:

• 1. Give space, time and energy to your creativity. // This is HARD! Our lives are busy, so it can be difficult to be intentional with creating space for us to be our creative best. But, space is important for ideas. Once we have identified an idea, we have to give it space to grow and breathe before we try to execute it. Our best ideas reach their potential when they have space and time around them. Finally, we manage energy. It’s on us. How much energy is attributed to our creativity and our craft ultimately is managed by us – the user and steward. We all have about the same amount of space and energy and we all have the same amount of time. We are going to put our space, time, and energy somewhere. Why not put it into something we value?
• 2. Creating is an act of worship. // For those of us who are Christians, we know creating is an act of worship to the ultimate Creator of the universe. However, Zahn takes a different angle, an angle that states that when we choose to not create we are actually being “self-centered and selfish.”
• 3. Your creativity is a gift given to you. // If we’ve been given a gift, we need to cherish, honor, and protect that gift. Even more importantly, we need to share our gifts with others. Give and it shall be given unto you.
• 4. Date your artist. // Our greatest ideas are going to be birthed out of our experiences. Great art is created when artists are able to connect with emotions that are deep inside themselves. We have to be willing to explore those places to uncover the truths about the artist we are becoming.
• 5. Don’t be an expert. // Experts know it all. Students are always learning. When we accept the fact that we can always learn more, each person, project, and experience becomes an opportunity to add more tools to our tool boxes. Don’t believe the hype. You are great, but you can be greater. We should talk less and listen more, but whatever we do, we should NEVER STOP LEARNING.
• 6. Jealousy is the death of creativity. // It’s been said that jealousy is where love and hate both live together. If we want to battle jealousy, we have to do it intentionally. When we champion others, we go on the offensive against jealousy. When we want the people around us to win – no matter the cost – it not only builds great teams, but it removes the temptation to be in competition with one another. Champion and celebrate others at every opportunity.
• 7. Don’t give up. Don’t give up. // EVER! And if you think about giving up, stop. Take a breath. Then, keep going.
• 8. You have what it takes. . . now. // God created you. He knew you would be uniquely YOU! If you’re honest with yourself, you probably don’t think you’re good enough for the challenge in front of you. Thats GOOD! If you felt you COULD handle it, that would mean you were able to take the credit for it. When you know you can’t handle it, you have to have an element of faith and trust. Those two ingredients are activators for our best creative endeavors. So, stop doubting. Start believing. Never stop working.
• 9. Authenticity breeds beauty. // Anyone can duplicate something that has been created. You, however, have walked a road no other artist has traveled. That road gives you the permission to create art that no other artist can create. Create out of that place, and you wont have to worry if you are duplicating.
• 10. Want what you already have. // Stop comparing. Stop creating excuses. Stop hesitating. Use what’s in front of you, control what you can control, and create something today that moves you and your organization forward!

Do you resonate with these commandments?

When we start any new endeavor, we really have nothing to lose. We know we’re going to have to do some things different than everyone else or we’re never going to break through the clutter. We have this belief that we can do something that no one has done before – so, we go for it. And why not?

Then, we fail.

We try something else. And we may have to even repeat this process a couple of times until, one day, it actually works. We start to have success. Our success propels us forward. We start to gain momentum and people start to notice. At first, it’s intoxicating, but then we realize that the same people who were noticing are now duplicating what we do…and our success has become the new norm – or the formula.

At one moment we may have been flattered by this. Now, we’re bothered. The same instincts on the inside that made us uncomfortable being “normal” at the beginning are now screaming that we have become the norm. We are thankful for our success, but we’re uneasy because we know in order to really live – to really “succeed” – we are going to have to change. We know that, as soon as we have become the norm, it’s time to blow it up and try something new or we’re not going to really be living.

This time it’s much more difficult. We have momentum. We have responsibility. We have set expectations. While we desire to chase our hearts and instincts – the same ones that propelled us to succeed – we are scared. What if it doesn’t work this time? What if we fail? What if people don’t like it? What if people don’t like us? What if we become “odd” again? What if we stop being applauded? What if….?

But what if it does!
What will you do?

We were born to do this. Let’s not waste this opportunity. Without you following that voice we can’t move forward. Don’t Be Safe.