Sometimes clarity and creatives don’t jive.

I have a son who’s a creative, (@sherwoodwoodcraft on Instagram), and he doesn’t like to talk about clarity. It cramps his style.

I get it.

What Clarity Looks Like in a Creative

In her best selling book “Risk Forward – Embrace the Unknown and Unlock Your Hidden Genius”, my friend and coach Victory LaBalme says:

“Some of the most celebrated companies and creative endeavors didn’t start with complete clarity, a detailed plan, or a five-year goal. They started with an idea, a wisp, a glimmer of a thought, which the person followed and explored, often through significant periods of self-doubt.”

To a creative:

“Clarity is not the place from which we begin but rather the place at which we ultimately arrive.” – Victoria LaBalme in Risk Forward

 

The Creative Process Usually Looks Like This

You have an idea.

And You start working on that idea.

That leads to another idea and you go down that path.

This leads to another idea that sparks yet another idea that builds on idea #1.

And finally, you’re done but yet another idea pops up and you start over.

 

“Trust the idea that can lead to the idea.” – Victoria LaBalme

 

If trying to get clarity makes you feel like you’re walking in a thick fog, take a step, and then take the next step, then the next, and then the next.

You don’ have to fit into anyone’s mold.

And That’s Okay!

What it boils down to is you have to do what works for you.

Explore. Iterate. Experiment. Create.