Latest / Online Business Uncovered: Simple Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs / 52: 7 tips to get you into the creative flow

Transcript

52: 7 tips to get you into the creative flow · Online Business Uncovered: Simple Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to the Digitally She Does It Show.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: This is episode 52, and in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about how to get into the creative flow when you really don't feel like being creative.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: So let's jump right in and get started.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the digitally she does it show.
• 0:26
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host Karen and I'm here to lift the lid on what it actually takes to create a successful business.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: If you are an ambitious creative ready to build a business on your own terms and without compromise, then this podcast is perfect for you.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: With my award-winning approach to marketing and expert knowledge in creating online courses, this show will leave you feeling inspired, energized, and ready to bring those big dreams to life.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_00: Join me each week for a dose of motivation and marketing know-how, along with actionable step-by-step strategies to help you accelerate your business's growth.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: So let's dive in and don't forget to subscribe to all my upcoming episodes, which drop every Wednesday.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: Now, in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about creativity and how we can get ourselves in that creative flow when we really don't feel like it.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: Because it can be really challenging running a business when you've got a million and one things on your plate, and the last thing that you want to try and do is be creative.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: So we're going to dive into that, but before I do, I just want to talk about my brand new resource hub that I launched a couple of weeks ago.
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_00: I'm really excited about this because it's a hub full of resources to help you grow your online business.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: It's completely free and it's something that I've been building out for a while.
• 2:05
  SPEAKER_00: And I've got lots and lots of new resources that are going to be added, but it's my way of helping you guys, it giving you things to help make your life just that little bit easier so you're not having to start from scratch.
• 2:20
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are somebody that could really do with having some resources to help you, whether it's to do with branding or online courses, then go and head over to my resource hub.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: So that's at marketplace.pink-lemondigital.com.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: So go and check it out.
• 2:39
  SPEAKER_00: As I said, I will be adding new resources in the future.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: But this has predominantly been created to really help you get unstuck and move you forward in your business.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: So I will add the link to the show notes as well.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: But for now, head over to marketplace.pink-lemondigital.com and go and sign up.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so back to today's episode.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: So today I want to talk about creativity and how to get into that creative flow when you really, really, really do not feel like it.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: And I guess what has inspired this episode is that about a month ago, when I came back from Florida, um, I felt really disconnected, and I'd had this amazing time with my family, and I'd taken probably about two and a half, three weeks out of the business, and then I came back and I did not feel creative at all.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: I didn't feel like I could really work through the things that I needed to work through.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and the thing that sort of sits at the bottom of what it is we do is creativity, and as a creative, so that's how I label myself really, is that I'm a creative entrepreneur, I'm a creator, whether it's online courses, memberships, programs, digital products.
• 4:06
  SPEAKER_00: So what I do is I create, and so creativity sit is the cornerstone of the things that I do and the way I run my business and really how I see life.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: So to then come back and have this disconnection was really challenging for me, and I think part of it was that I was jet lagged, but also I think I had some burnout because prior to going off on holiday, I was really, really busy, and I didn't allow myself the time to take time out and reboot myself because I was all guns blazing because I had this big holiday and I knew that I was going to take time out of the business, but it's got me thinking about creativity and how important it is to be able to draw on it as and when we need it, and so I know firsthand how challenging it can be to try and be creative when it's the last thing that you want to be because sometimes we do have a lot of things going on, sometimes we're having to do different things at different times, whether it's right or wrong to multitask.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: But as women, naturally we do tend to multitask, and it can be really difficult to hone in on the creativity that lies within us because I believe whether you're a creative individual or not, you have creativity.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: You might be somebody that has a very sort of logical brain that is very left side of the brain, but but you have creativity within you, it's just the fact that you might draw on it slightly different.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: So it's really important that we know that we have this creative ability and that we can draw on it as and when we need it.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you're sitting there thinking, but I'm not creative and I don't really know how to be creative, then I just want to shift your mindset around that because creativity is ultimately the ability to come up with new ideas, new concepts, new solutions to problems.
• 6:25
  SPEAKER_00: So it isn't about being able to create a beautiful website or graphics or a logo or design something.
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: Creativity isn't just about creating something aesthetically pleasing, it's about how you approach things in your life, and it involves using our imagination to create something that has never existed before, or it involves us finding innovative ways to improve our life and the things that we do in our life and our businesses.
• 7:02
  SPEAKER_00: If you are running a business and you are an entrepreneur, you have most likely created something new that has never been done before.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_00: I'm sure there are overlaps with you and other businesses, but ultimately you have brought something to life that did not exist prior to you creating it.
• 7:24
  SPEAKER_00: So whether you see yourself as a creative entrepreneur or not, you are by definition a creative because you have created something new that has not been created before.
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this is such a valuable skill to have because it allows us to think outside of the box and to bring fresh perspectives to the challenges that we often face in life.
• 7:52
  SPEAKER_00: And I think creativity in business is really important because this is what allows for development and innovation.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_00: Now, creative ideas can lead to those breakthrough products or services that help to take your business to the next level.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: It can also include coming up with strategies that help to capture your ideal clients' attention so that you can build your business and generate income.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_00: So there is creativity that sits in the heart of what you're doing.
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_00: Now, creativity also helps businesses to adapt when things get tough as well.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_00: So, in lockdown, many businesses went from providing one-to-one services to having to rethink their business model and take what they're doing online.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_00: Now, in order for that to have been successful, they would have had to have looked at it from a creative standpoint.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: And the way they approached business at that time would have had a creative essence about it.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_00: It also allows entrepreneurs to adapt to changing market trends, and it's what helps them to stay ahead of the curve.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_00: So when things in our markets change, because new technology or economical circumstances, creativity is what will be drawn on to build that adaptability to allow entrepreneurs or businesses to be flexible and change course.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_00: So ultimately, creativity is the thing that keeps businesses going.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: And I think in today's world, it's essential that every business understands the power of creativity because that is what's going to help them thrive and succeed in the long run.
• 9:55
  SPEAKER_00: So, with all of that said, how do you find time as a solopreneur to be creative in your business when you've got so much going on?
• 10:06
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm going to be sharing seven tips to help you get creative.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: So, my first tip is about scheduling time to be creative.
• 10:17
  SPEAKER_00: I know firsthand how busy it is running a business.
• 10:22
  SPEAKER_00: So it can be really challenging to find that time to be creative, and so we have to be proactive in scheduling time.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: Now, it could just be for 30 minutes a week, it could be an hour a week, it really doesn't matter.
• 10:40
  SPEAKER_00: But this is time that you can dedicate to being creative.
• 10:45
  SPEAKER_00: Now, in that time, you can use it as an opportunity to brainstorm new ideas in your business to maybe look at things differently.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_00: So, processes and systems, maybe that's the time they can look in on that and see if you can come up with more of a creative, more efficient way of doing something.
• 11:08
  SPEAKER_00: So you need to create a space that's conducive to creativity.
• 11:13
  SPEAKER_00: So whether that's in your studio or in your office, or maybe it's just in a really comfortable place in your home, it really doesn't matter.
• 11:21
  SPEAKER_00: But I think it's really important to schedule time to be creative.
• 11:26
  SPEAKER_00: Now, one of the things that I really enjoy doing is getting up early.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_00: Before my business, you would not have heard me say that at all because it's not usually something you hear people say.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_00: However, from time to time, I tend to naturally wake up really early.
• 11:44
  SPEAKER_00: So the house is quiet, my husband and my children are asleep, and it's just this pure silence, and I find that very early in the morning I'm at my most creative.
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_00: So think about a time of day or a time in the week where you feel at your most creative.
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_00: It could be late at night, it could be mid-afternoon, it could be early in the morning, but there will be a time when you will feel like you can just shut everything off and focus on a creative task.
• 12:25
  SPEAKER_00: So, what does that time look like for you?
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my second tip is about getting rid of distractions.
• 12:33
  SPEAKER_00: Now, we are constantly being surrounded by notifications, even now, as I'm talking to you, my watch is going off, I'm being pinged, and it can be really distracting, and then we have social media, and we can waste away a lot of time scrolling through social media, having a look at what other people are doing, and and essentially not utilising that time as effectively as what we could be doing.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_00: So, what we need to really do is eliminate those distractions because they're taking our attention away from key activities that ultimately are going to help us move our businesses forward.
• 13:15
  SPEAKER_00: If you are struggling, as I said, to do um to be creative in your business, then get rid of distractions.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_00: Close down your social media platforms, close down your email.
• 13:27
  SPEAKER_00: You don't need your email open all day.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_00: Check in on your email like once or twice a day only so that you can dedicate time to what you need to do.
• 13:38
  SPEAKER_00: Your attention isn't being pulled away because you you're getting pings from your phone or your watch or your computer.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_00: You can just shut them down and then focus in on the task that you need to do.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_00: My third tip is about starting with something small and manageable.
• 13:55
  SPEAKER_00: So you're probably not going to start something thinking, oh, I need to be creative, but you may have something that you're looking to do in your business that you're struggling to get started with.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, it might be that you have a desire to create a new product in your business.
• 14:15
  SPEAKER_00: Now, in order for that idea to come to life, you need to be creative, you need to think broadly about what it is that you want to create, who it's for, what the results are going to be, why they're going to need it.
• 14:29
  SPEAKER_00: But in order to bring that seed of an idea to life, it's going to require you to be creative.
• 14:35
  SPEAKER_00: Now, sometimes when we start a task, it can seem really big.
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_00: Like the whole thought of coming up with a brand new product in our business seems huge.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_00: So, what I recommend is that you start with something small and manageable.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_00: So, if you are feeling stuck, then break it down.
• 14:56
  SPEAKER_00: What is it that you want to end up with?
• 14:59
  SPEAKER_00: So, if for example it is a new product or a service, then at least then you've set your goal and then break it down into bite-sized chunks because this is going to help you to get your creative juices flowing and then give you the momentum that you need to get the task done.
• 15:18
  SPEAKER_00: So, break that big goal down into small bite-sized chunks.
• 15:23
  SPEAKER_00: So, it might be that you have to think about okay, what is involved in that process of creating a new product?
• 15:30
  SPEAKER_00: When you identify those key milestones, then you need to break them down further.
• 15:36
  SPEAKER_00: But I think sometimes we can get really overwhelmed with having a task that is actually really quite large.
• 15:44
  SPEAKER_00: Whereas if we break it down and reduce it, it's more manageable to cope with.
• 15:49
  SPEAKER_00: If you've got a big thing that you're wanting to achieve, break it down, start small so that you're managing it in a really easy way.
• 15:58
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my fourth tip is about collaborating with other entrepreneurs.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: We are human and we like to be sociable.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: That that is just, I'm, I mean, obviously, there are always people that don't like to be sociable, but as a whole, we like to be sociable and connected to other humans.
• 16:18
  SPEAKER_00: So sometimes it can really help to spark creativity when you work with somebody else, when you collaborate with another entrepreneur, because you can brainstorm ideas and you can generate new ideas about the things that you're wanting to create.
• 16:35
  SPEAKER_00: And I think having somebody there to bounce ideas off can be really powerful.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: So I highly recommend that if you're not doing this already, think about collaborating with somebody else.
• 16:47
  SPEAKER_00: Who do you know in your space that perhaps offers a similar thing to you that you could collaborate with?
• 16:55
  SPEAKER_00: You might have to think quite broadly about this.
• 16:57
  SPEAKER_00: So if you go networking, is there anybody that you have met that maybe offers a follow-on to what you do?
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_00: And is there something that you can collaborate on so that you can share your audiences?
• 17:09
  SPEAKER_00: Collaboration is really powerful and it helps us to get out of our own way.
• 17:14
  SPEAKER_00: And in terms of creativity, it's going to spark so much creativity because you get somebody else to bounce ideas off, and they're going to come with ideas as well.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_00: Collaborating with other entrepreneurs is a great way to push past those creative blocks and to get those creative juices flowing.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my fifth tip is about taking regular breaks.
• 17:37
  SPEAKER_00: Now, in this case, I'm telling you to do as I say, not as I do, because I am terrible at taking breaks.
• 17:45
  SPEAKER_00: I get so caught up in the thing that I'm doing that I could end up spending such a large amount of time in front of my laptop that I forget to take breaks, which is not good and not recommended.
• 17:59
  SPEAKER_00: Now, taking breaks can help to clear our mind, it can reduce stress, and of course, it can increase creativity.
• 18:08
  SPEAKER_00: So going for a walk helps you to kind of get away from a screen and to think about other things.
• 18:15
  SPEAKER_00: And sometimes I think just being out in nature can bring in a fresh perspective as well.
• 18:21
  SPEAKER_00: One of the things that I really enjoy doing is cleaning because I find that when I'm cleaning, I switch off, and when I switch off, I'm allowing things to come through.
• 18:31
  SPEAKER_00: So often, if I'm cleaning the house, for example, I will often be running to my desk writing ideas down because that's when ideas flow to me.
• 18:42
  SPEAKER_00: Think about what you could do that's going to give you time and space away from your desk, away from your computer to bring in new ideas, new thoughts, new ways of doing stuff so that you can actually be effective with the work that you are doing.
• 19:00
  SPEAKER_00: And I think it's another way to recharge your creative energy as well.
• 19:05
  SPEAKER_00: When we're in a state of tiredness, it's almost like it repels creativity.
• 19:12
  SPEAKER_00: I don't know if you've ever been in that place where you've really wanted to write a blog or you've really wanted to write a caption, but you just feel so damn tired, nothing's coming to you.
• 19:23
  SPEAKER_00: Well, that's because creativity doesn't flow when you're feeling tired and exhausted, and so we really do need to take breaks to be able to recharge our creativity levels.
• 19:36
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're not doing it already, go and do that, and I will do it as well because this is like as I said, I am terrible with this.
• 19:44
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my sixth tip is about getting inspired.
• 19:49
  SPEAKER_00: Whenever I start a creative project, so for example, I'm working on a branding project for a client.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_00: The first thing I will do is I will write down sort of key ideas.
• 20:02
  SPEAKER_00: So I I like doing spider diagrams, I love a spider diagram, and I will write down all my initial ideas, but then I like to go and get inspired.
• 20:11
  SPEAKER_00: So I will go and jump on Pinterest, I will have a look online, I will jump onto YouTube, I will go and have a look across many different platforms to get inspired.
• 20:23
  SPEAKER_00: It's not, it's never about copying.
• 20:25
  SPEAKER_00: I would 100% steer you away from it because everything that we create has to be authentic and original.
• 20:34
  SPEAKER_00: But sometimes it can really help us get into that creative flow by getting inspired.
• 20:40
  SPEAKER_00: And the way we get inspired is by having a look at other things that are out there.
• 20:46
  SPEAKER_00: So it might be that if you're a web designer and you're getting blocks because you can't quite get your designs out, then go and have a look on Pinterest and go and have a look at what other people have done.
• 20:57
  SPEAKER_00: I think sometimes the smallest of things can actually spark a really strong, powerful idea in our minds.
• 21:06
  SPEAKER_00: And then that could be the seed that leads to the final outcome.
• 21:10
  SPEAKER_00: So I think getting inspired is so important in whatever we do.
• 21:15
  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't have to be that you're a creative and you're creating creative material, it could be that you're a coach and maybe you want to improve the way you deliver your process for your clients.
• 21:30
  SPEAKER_00: So go and have a look at how other coaches are doing it.
• 21:34
  SPEAKER_00: Check out other people's websites, go and follow other coaches on Instagram, jump into Facebook groups and go and find other coaches that are in your space delivering the type of service that you're delivering, and go and see how they're approaching it.
• 21:51
  SPEAKER_00: Book a one to one with somebody, another coach, and have a chat about it.
• 21:55
  SPEAKER_00: This is a really great way to get inspired.
• 21:59
  SPEAKER_00: When we are Inspired, we're in a high vibrational state, and that's when the creative juices come to us, and we're able to get our heads in the game and start being creative in a way that really does benefit our business.
• 22:16
  SPEAKER_00: Go and seek inspiration from different sources, like books, podcasts, blogs, and or go to a conference.
• 22:25
  SPEAKER_00: Go and be inspired by going to an event, whether it's in person or online.
• 22:31
  SPEAKER_00: These sources can really help us expand our mindset and they can really inspire new ideas that can be a game changer in your business.
• 22:42
  SPEAKER_00: And my seventh and final tip is all about experimenting.
• 22:47
  SPEAKER_00: Now, when we're children, we loved experimenting, we didn't think anything of it.
• 22:54
  SPEAKER_00: We would go and we would play and we would work things out through play on how the world worked, and it was all done through experimentation.
• 23:04
  SPEAKER_00: As we get older, we lose those skills and we lose the ability to play and experiment.
• 23:12
  SPEAKER_00: And actually, by doing this, this is what leads to stronger outcomes and powerful approaches to solving problems.
• 23:22
  SPEAKER_00: So take some time and explore new ideas, try new techniques, use new materials to keep everything fresh and exciting.
• 23:34
  SPEAKER_00: Often we fall into this trap of thinking that we have to do the same thing over and over again because that's the way we've always done it.
• 23:43
  SPEAKER_00: When actually you might be approaching something with an outdated mindset based on how something was.
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_00: So taking some time out and experimenting is a really powerful way to find out what works and what doesn't, but also it opens yourself up to having more fun and coming across new op new opportunities and possibilities that are there out there for you.
• 24:12
  SPEAKER_00: So embrace the process and enjoy the journey of growing a business by experimenting.
• 24:20
  SPEAKER_00: Now I know we can often have this real fear that we could fail, but this is all part of experimenting, and you're never really going to fail all the while you're trying.
• 24:34
  SPEAKER_00: You only really fail when you give up.
• 24:36
  SPEAKER_00: So have fun with experimenting because it could be the one thing that makes such a difference in your business, and it could also be the one thing that really brings in that creativity and moves your business forward and takes it to where you want to get to.
• 24:53
  SPEAKER_00: So remember that as an entrepreneur, creativity is an essential part of running a business, and it's vital that you spend time and energy and effort into being creative.
• 25:09
  SPEAKER_00: I think this is something that is often underestimated, but actually, I would go as far as to say it's probably one of the most important ingredients in running and growing a business because this is what's going to lead to new ideas, innovative ideas that will ultimately take your business to the next level.
• 25:31
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to today's episode.
• 25:35
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you found this episode of value, and of course, please feel free to share it with others who you may think will also benefit from listening to today's episode.
• 25:44
  SPEAKER_00: If you are feeling inspired and would like to know more about getting started with an online digital course, then why not download my free ebook 10 Steps to Digital Course Success by visiting my website www.pink-lemondigital.com.
• 26:01
  SPEAKER_00: I will be back next week with another episode, but until then, have a great week.
• 26:08
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Digitally She Does It Show.
• 26:12
  SPEAKER_00: Don't forget to check out the show notes for all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode.
• 26:18
  SPEAKER_00: New episodes drop every week on a Wednesday.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_00: So why not rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode?
• 26:24
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for tuning in today, and I will see you next time.