When working with a client last week it came to light that this talented woman had grave doubts about her creativity. She bemoaned her “lack of creative spark” that she senses in other entrepreneurial women in her orbit. So, after sensing a theme in her conversation it was time to look at things from a slightly different perspective, so we decided to celebrate her creativity here and now. That celebration became the basis for this blog post.
Do you know when your own creative spark will strike? Perhaps you have a “tell” that signals when you’re entering your own creative zone. Personally, I should be so lucky. For most of us that creative spark seems to happen in a place where you can’t capture it, but that doesn’t mean that spark doesn’t happen.
If you really spend a little time thinking about it, you’d recognize that you disregard that spark when it appears, or that you seem to be more receptive to being creative under certain conditions. You may find that writing in any or all areas of your life and business seems to flow more easily in the mornings, before the email deluge hits you. With a little quiet time and that second beverage-of-choice, that proposal you’ve been stressing over seems to flow effortlessly through to completion. Many ignore this and struggle through trying to get things done at times when their energy levels are low, or they are unfocussed or multitasking. It’s easy to overlook your creativity under these conditions.
It’s time for a little introspection here. Can you acknowledge your own creativity in these areas?
Problem solving in your business: Consider all the times that supposedly “quick and easy” business issue dragged on, unraveled or morphed into something you didn’t foresee? How did you come up with what you needed to move forward with your business building or project completion? I think you’ll have to admit there were more than a couple of creative moves necessary to get you where you needed to go. You got to breathe a sigh of relieve once the problem was over, and you know what? That was you being creative.
Developing new products for your business: It’s time to freshen your product or service offerings and you really want to add something special that your customers are going to love, and will add more customers who have yet to discover what you have to offer. Remember the last time you brought something new and fresh? That was you being creative. What about this next example?
Developing solutions for your clients: When your client came to you with a particularly interesting problem. As you worked through the process and came to the solution that made a big difference for the client, you spent time stepping outside of what you thought you knew and brought your creativity to bare. Yes, that was you – being creative.
The last example I’d like to share is that as women, we are nothing if not creative. Our days and lives are spent creating anything and everything in service of what we hold dear, either personally or professionally. Being creative is how we live, and we shouldn’t overlook or play down what we do. If we pay attention our own rhythms, surroundings and energy-giving environments we can start to see where our creativity comes from. We need to add one more thing to this process. We should celebrate each of these “creative opportunities” as a confirmation of the strength we bring to all areas of our lives. I hope you have a favourite way of celebrating your own creativity, and that you’ll make time to do so on a regular basis. You deserve it!
Barbara Jemmott is the founder and business strategist at Your Entrepreneurial Spirit. Her 4-point YES to Customer Acquisition Program (C.A.P.) allows her to work her passion which is helping entrepreneurial women grow their audiences and income, online. She got here through her 20+ years of experience helping businesses understand and implement systems, strategies and procedures to increase productivity as well implement change and streamline operations. With experience and responsibilities to design, develop and deliver training for small to large technology training initiatives for Fortune 100 companies, she brings “Big Business” expertise to the small business space. Learn more about Your Entrepreneurial Spirit and the YES to Customer Acquisition Program at www.yourentrepreneurialspirit.com