Creative process: when to stop and re-start

Let’s grab a highlighter and circle the word “stop”.

We creatives sometimes get to think that our work is so special no other job can be compared to it. It is, in fact, an area than can be pretty unique in some aspects like idea creation and inspiration finding, but, at the end of the day, it involves having a process, a method, just as any other role. We can actually pinpoint what do we have to do to have a successful creative session, as well as identify what’s actually not working, both as important.

Be a spectator
A creative session, process or brainstorming, as crazy artistic as it sounds, is something that could actually follow a pattern. In fact, it should. That’s why someone in the team should have the task to look at it from an outsider’s perspective, as if it was a spacecraft orbiting the task. This is a trustworthy way to ensure we all won’t get so focused in the job that we will forget that we’re actually committing to get to a result.

To stop is not to fail
Tattoo this on your creative conscience; stopping does not mean you have failed. It is, actually, the most intelligent thing to do when things are not working out properly or a creative process is getting stuck. It is the only way to avoid frustration and demotivation.

Stop. Adjust. Press play
Basically, this is the mantra. Once you’ve identified the problem and you’ve stopped the process just to take a break, there’s plenty of things you can do to fix it. A change of space, of people, of approach and methods like Triggers always work as a way to clear issues.

Enjoy
Always remember that we’re incredibly lucky for doing the job that we do and that nothing is that important to prevent you from enjoying it.