The Power of Creative Clarity
If you know me or been around MYFI for any length of time you know that I believe that clarity is a BIG deal.
Several years ago I heard a story about the one sentence pitch for the TV show “Friends”. Some people call it an “elevator pitch”, meaning that you can give the pitch in the short time it takes to ride an elevator. The creators of the show had to convince NBC that the show was compelling with just one sentence. The executives asked the creators, “What is the show about?” and their reply was this…
“It’s about the time in your life when your friends are your family.”
If you’ve seen the show (and I’m guessing you have) you know that is the perfect description. It’s incredibly clear and interesting. I think that’s what we’re all looking for in our creative endeavors, in our creative cultures where we work, and in our creative life in general.
We want to know we are working on something that matters, something we believe in. We want clarity in the “why”, we want clarity in the “what”, and we want clarity in the “how”.
3 POWERFUL QUESTIONS
Why am I creating this? - (Purpose)
What am I actually creating? - (Vision)
How should I go about creating it? - (Plan)
If you’re making an album clarity is helpful. If you’re building a team clarity is important. If you’re writing a book clarity is a treasure. Now, I completely understand that in some situations we just feel compelled to create. We may not know what the song is about or we may not start with an end in mind. But the clarity I’m talking about is connected to something bigger. I think it’s good for us to answer questions to clarify things to ourselves as creatives, and to our clients, bosses, teams, customers, fans, etc…
Others want to know our “why” because purpose is powerful and people can connect to it. Others want to know our “what” so they can feel confident investing in it and sharing it with others. Others want to know our “how” because the creative process is so mysterious and interesting.
We need to know our “why” so we can cling to it when we get discouraged or tired. We need to know our “what” so we can remember how wonderful the end goal could be when we lose sight of it. We need to know our “how” so we can simply take the next step when we feel overwhelmed by the length of the journey.
So I encourage you as a creative or a creative leader, sit and answer those three questions, and try to find levels of clarity you didn’t know where possible. Where a lack of clarity can cause frustration, anxiety, or even discourage us, finding that clarity is empowering and can bring confidence, uniqueness, and excitement to the goals we have in our creative lives and careers.
Whether you’re writing a record, starting a business, leading a branding project, or whatever you may be creating… ask these questions and try to hit that one sentence pitch level of clarity. I believe you’ll find it powerful and helpful.
Why am I creating this? - (Purpose)
What am I actually creating? - (Vision)
How should I go about creating it? - (Plan)
MY OWN EXAMPLE
1.) Why did I creating MYFI Coaching?
I want to help creatives and creative leaders find their unique expression and achieve their goals.
2.) What exactly is MYFI Coaching?
MYFI is coaching for creatives, creative leaders, and creative organizations to help them find their unique expression and achieve their goals.
3.) How does MYFI Coaching actually work?
MYFI offers free resources, one on one coaching calls, and on-site consultation specifically designed for creatives, creative leaders, and creative organizations.
I hope thinking through these questions, or some variation of them, will bring a bolt of energy to your creative endeavors and get you excited about the things that you feel compelled to create. You can do it!
