You want to expand your creativity, but you’re sick and tired of the basic bs recommendations that are creating a lot of noise online ... and quite honestly they feel insulting to those of us creatives that have been around for a long while.
I’m not going to outline some basic AI or Google search ways to improve your creativity.
Instead I’m going to pull from my own experience feeling overwhelmed and spiraling when my creativity is just in the shadows of the tasks I need to accomplish in my day to day business.
There are a thousand reasons why our creativity can feel stifled:
Many of my clients are challenged with imposter syndrome that often can choke their creativity.
Focus can be a challenge for a small business owner that’s also the designer and manufacturer of their own products.
External pressures, such as deadlines or expectations from others, can also hinder the flow of creative ideas.
A lack of inspiration or exposure to new perspectives can lead to a creative rut.
Self-doubt and fear of failure can prevent us from taking creative risks and exploring new possibilities.
Sometimes, simply feeling overwhelmed or burnt out can drain our creative energy.
Comparison to others in the same field can make us feel inadequate and limit our willingness to experiment and innovate.
Not allowing ourselves the time and space to play and explore can constrain our imagination and limit our creative output.
Striving for perfection can be paralyzing, preventing us from embracing the beauty of imperfection and experimentation in our creative process.
QUICK TIP:
Remember, creativity is a journey, and it's normal to encounter these dreaded obstacles along the way. So step 1...Please, shut the negative talk off in your brain and recognize these barriers. We can all create a routine and environment to nurture our creativity and allow it to flourish.
I want you to embrace your unique talent, so you can break free from lack luster product ideas and unleash your creativity in all its non-basic-bitch glory!
Now, let’s go beyond my Pep-Talk (although I needed those reminders hopefully as much as you did)
You obviously want to know the truth about creativity slumps, right?
Well first, let’s dispel some myths about creativity.
The following statements are absolutely true:
Your level of creativity is not determined at birth. (no way, no how!)
You don’t need “genius” intelligence to come up with unique and innovative product ideas.
You can train your mind to learn to express, experience & create greater creativity.
Knowing that, if your creative abilities are not serving you well, I want you to immediately quiet the negative thoughts that are swirling around in your head. So much of this is a mindset issue, but that’s not where our focus will be in this mini-blog-workshop. (... because I’m not a life coach, I’m a Product Design & Small Business Coach & Mentor)
I know, oh so well, that a creative slump is an awful place to be, so let’s do everything we can to climb out of that as quickly as we can.
That’s my goal here!
This blog post will help you do exactly that. You’ll become a higher quality idea generator in the many areas of physical product development while running a product based business online that requires your creativity.
Your creative ability will spill over to other areas of your life.
Creativity is like a muscle. When you focus on it and use it, it will become stronger. And, when it does…the sky’s the limit!
1. Assess Your Creativity & Open Your Mind to Motivate Creative Thinking.
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
When have I shown significant creativity in the past?
In which areas of my business can I enhance creativity?
Am I open to change?
For Instance:
Your product-based business may be flourishing on social media with likes and followers thanks to your creative marketing strategies, but the actual sales may not reflect the same success financially.
It could be beneficial to take a step back and evaluate if your products are truly as innovative as they appear on social media.
Where can you identify an opportunity to incorporate extra levels of originality, authenticity, and your personal touch to make your physical products stand out and have a distinct feature that sets you apart from competitors?
Injecting your unique creativity into your products establishes a solid groundwork for your business.
QUICK TIP:
Engage in brainstorming: How can you incorporate "something uniquely you" into your business? Create your own idea map with good ‘ole pen & paper. Consciously choosing to be more creative will open up possibilities to strengthen your creative abilities.
2. Don’t say “You’re NOT an Expert”. You become an EXPERT by developing your EXPERTISE.
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
What steps can I take today to enhance my expertise?
How can I keep up to date with my product niche?
In what areas can I enhance my product knowledge to better assist my customers?
Honestly, to foster innovative concepts in your business, having a deep understanding of your physical product as an expert is crucial.
So please, get a pen & paper out and start working through your answers to these questions. I promise you, this tactile approach makes all the difference.
On the sheet of paper delve into your responsibilities, your product niche, and your target audience. Conduct thorough research on all fronts.
This approach will enable you to generate innovative ideas and assess new concepts and opportunities you may have otherwise overlooked.
By conducting thorough research and continuously seeking ways to enhance your expertise, you become an expert in your field.
QUICK TIP:
Consider what steps you can take today to improve your knowledge and skills. Stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in your product niche. Identify areas where you can expand your product knowledge to better serve your customers.
By developing a deep understanding of your product niche, you will be able to generate innovative ideas and evaluate new product concepts. This approach will not only benefit your business but also help you stand out as a knowledgeable and valuable resource in your industry.
3. Take on Challenges & Embrace Failures
THIS IS SO COOL! Once our creative minds are stretched to reach new, creative levels of ingenuity, it never goes back to where it started, we just keep expanding and growing- thus our new ideas begin to develop with ease. (remember, it's a muscle to be exercised)
Hands-on experiences help you grow and build a foundation for future creative efforts in your business.
The physical product development industry is ripe with incredible opportunities to step up and solve problems and tackle new areas.
Here are 4 challenges you can face, overcome and build a more creative product based business:
Developing a Unique Value Proposition: One challenge you may encounter is standing out in a crowded market. To overcome this, focus on what makes your product different from competitors and how it brings value to your customers. By clearly defining your unique value proposition, you can create a strong foundation for your business.
Navigating Market Trends: Keeping up with rapidly changing market trends can be daunting. However, by staying informed and adaptable, you can turn this challenge into an opportunity. Embrace innovation, listen to customer feedback, and be willing to pivot your strategies to align with evolving market demands.
Balancing Creativity with Practicality: Finding the balance between creativity and practicality is crucial for a product-based business owner. While creativity fuels innovation, practicality ensures that your products are feasible and marketable. Strive to strike a harmonious balance between out-of-the-box thinking and practical execution to create successful products.
Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Failure is an inevitable part of business growth, but how you respond to it can make all the difference. Instead of viewing failures as setbacks, see them as valuable learning experiences that can lead to innovation and improvement. By embracing failure and using it as a springboard for growth, you can build a more resilient and creative product-based business.
4. Don’t let those Creative Thoughts Escape You! Learn How To Effectively Capture Your Creative Ideas.
As creative business owners we tend to often be in a constant mode of creation.
Have you ever noticed how ideas come to you when you're showering, sleeping, or out for a walk?
Ideas for product designs and business opportunities can strike at any time, and if not captured, they might slip away.
QUICK TIP:
Here are some simple tactics to keep on top of what inspires you:
Keep various tools handy like a spiral notebook, sketchbook, a phone note taking application, voice memos, or simply doodle to idea map out your thoughts.
By jotting down or sketching out your ideas, you're not only capturing them but also allowing your brain to fully engage with and process the concepts you're exploring. This act can significantly enhance the chances of these ideas evolving into tangible actions that propel your creative endeavors forward.
Explore the prompts below and brainstorm how they relate to your own creative business.
5. Your Workspace Matters, so create an inspiring work environment.
I know this may seem super basic, but jazzing up your workspace REALLY MATTERS!
By saying goodbye to clutter & hello to a land of inspiration you’re automatically elevating your creativity.
Ways to make your workspace a place for inspiration:
Tackle desk clutter & organize your office or studio space to maintain a productive and inviting atmosphere.
Add inspiring quotes, art or symbol of motivation that will help you to achieve a higher level of creativity.
Hang a white board with dry erase markers to create idea mapping brainstorm solutions.
Incorporate elements of nature such as plants or a small indoor garden to bring a sense of calmness and positivity to your workspace.
Use good lighting to brighten up the area and reduce eye strain, creating a more comfortable environment for work.
Personalize your workspace with items that bring you joy and spark your creativity, whether it's colorful stationery, photos of loved ones, or meaningful trinkets.
Consider adding a comfortable chair or standing desk to promote good posture and enhance your overall work experience.
QUICK TIP:
I’m speaking form my own personal experience here... When I feel creatively drained, just sitting in my studio or in front of the computer doesn’t help. I find working on my space and getting organized helps my creative juices to come back and no longer leaves me feeling like I’m drowning.
6. Find Your Rhythm & Create a Productive Routine.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know if you systematically did certain things, you would be more likely to come up with a good idea?
Developing a routine can significantly boost your creativity & help you stay focused throughout the day. And we all know FOCUS is key to a happy & productive product based business owner.
Here are some QUICK TIPS to establish an effective work routine:
Start your day with something healthy and a little bit of physical activity can go a long way to kick-start your creative energy.
Prioritize your most important top 3 goals for the day by creating a to-do list the night before. You don’t want to attempt this with a foggy morning brain.
Break down your work into manageable chunks and schedule regular breaks to prevent burnout and maintain mental clarity.
Experiment with different working patterns to find what suits you best, whether it's the Pomodoro Technique, time-blocking, or any other method that enhances your productivity.
End your day by reflecting on your achievements, jotting down any remaining tasks for the next day, and taking time to unwind and relax before transitioning into your personal time.
By establishing a consistent routine that aligns with your natural rhythm, you can optimize your productivity, creativity, and overall well-being in your workspace.
What is a simple change you can make today?
You don’t have to tackle a whole list of changes, just go slow and adapt new habits as you go.
QUICK CONCLUSION:
Creativity in problem solving will not only result in more quality physical product ideas and creative business solutions, it will also make the process a heck of a lot more fun!
You may want to consider a Quick Win, Self-Guided Workshop to help you generate more top notch physical product based business ideas that connect to your ideal customer to grow your online business sensibly & successfully- with ME as your trusty sidekick:)
Let's unlock your creativity and see what you can achieve.
At Quick Source, I value every product idea and encourage innovative thinking through IDEA MAPPING Techniques. There's MAGIC in that good 'ole pen to paper thought process, and my idea mapping templates & guided video modules MAKE IT FUN! If this intrigues you, check out my self guided workshop for people that have an idea and need to work it out on paper to see its true potential.
You can trust I have the experience and knowledge you are looking for. If you don’t know me by now, pop over here, and see how my 3 decades of creative product development has built millions in sales for so many businesses that I have had the pleasure of working with.
I am VERY familiar with all the challenges of designing, building and growing a physical product based business.
Consider me, Christine at QuickSource.co, as your year round creative business stimulator providing you insight and QUICK PRO TIPS that will truly make a positive impact in your day to day tasks as well as the creative growth of your overall business.
I want to share these resources with you:
Try them, read them, listen to them and I hope you find yourself inspired and invigorated with a new found level of creativity like I did after consuming all of this wonderful inspiration.
References & Resources based on CREATIVITY:
(no basic bs here!)
Rick Rubin, a Dynamic Guest:
Rick is a music legend & his approach to creativity is a master lesson for all of us.
His Secret To UNLOCK Your Creativity!
A Great Book To Jump-Start Your Creativity:
Rick Rubin, The Creative Act. A way of being: “A gorgeous & inspiring work of art on creation, creativity, the work of the artist.” Hardcover, January 17, 2023. Available on Amazon
It's time to show your products to the world!
And I'm ready to help you :)
Helpful Resources & Tools Related To This Topic:
All The RESOURCES a Creative Needs To Run A Physical Product Based Business:
AUDIO BLOG LINK PART ONE:
AUDIO BLOG LINK: PART TWO:
NOTE: This blog post is part of the series: Creativity, Resources and Strategies
Learn how to inspire creativity in yourself and others with this series of blog posts that include a free downloadable action plan for personal development, creativity exercises, strategies and general tips.
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