Entrepreneurs are often told to embrace creativity.
But let’s be real…
Traditional creativity, as it’s typically peddled, can be a slow and boring process.
It starts with a blank slate, and in the real world of business, there’s no time for this.
Walt Disney, one of history’s most profitable entrepreneurs, had a blunt piece of advice: “Stop talking and begin doing.” To thrive in the business world, creativity must be nimble, decisive, practical, and, most importantly, actionable. There’s no room for creativity for its own sake.
I like to call it “creativity cheating,” and today, I’ll share a few quick “cheats”.
Borrow and Adapt What’s Already There
George de Mestral, a Swiss engineer, is out hunting in the Alps. He’s having a blast, but there’s a tiny, annoying problem. Burrs. Those pesky little things are sticking to his pants and his dog like they’ve got nothing better to do. Annoying, right?
But here’s where it gets interesting. Instead of just brushing them off and forgetting about it, George gets curious. He pops a burr under a microscope and – bam! – he sees these tiny hooks that cling onto anything loop-like. A light bulb goes off in his head. What if he could turn this into something useful?
Fast forward, and hello Velcro! Yeah, that stuff you’ve got on your shoes and your kids’ backpacks. But hold on, the story doesn’t end there.
You know who else thought this was brilliant? NASA. Yep, the space guys. They’re sending astronauts into space, where everything floats around, and they need a way to stick stuff down. Velcro to the rescue! It’s perfect for zero-gravity shenanigans – keeping tools and equipment from doing a space dance.
Let’s get to the real deal here. This isn’t just a story about sticky burrs. It’s about keeping your eyes peeled and your brain ticking. George saw something in those burrs that no one else did. And it didn’t just solve a small problem – it opened doors in a totally different world (literally, space!).
So next time you’re stuck or thinking you’ve got to come up with something out of thin air, take a look around. The answer might be hiding in plain sight, maybe even stuck to your pants. It’s all about seeing the usual stuff in unusual ways.
The lesson here? Someone, somewhere has likely tackled a similar problem or built something that could solve your own challenges. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. When you see something new, ask yourself, “How can I use that?”
Flip It: The Backward Secret to Creative Success
Let’s get real for a second. When most think “creativity”, they start at the beginning.
Take opening a restaurant, for example. You’re probably dreaming up fancy names, cool themes, and mouth-watering menus. Sounds fun, right? But hold your horses.
Here’s the thing: what really makes or breaks it isn’t the flashy front-end stuff.
It’s the hard stuff – getting customers to not just show up, but keep coming back for more. It’s what happens at the cash register, how you’re raking in the big checks, and squeezing every dime out of that average ticket.
Now, let’s peek into Hollywood’s playbook. These guys are masters at this game. Before they even think about scripts or who’s starring, they’re already knee-deep in figuring out product placements and stealth ads. They start at the end – the payoff – and work backward.
That’s the secret no one talks about. It’s not about having a great idea or a pretty plan. It’s about thinking in reverse. Start with the outcome – the real meat of the matter – and then work your way back to the shiny stuff.
Think like a movie mogul. What’s your endgame? Nail that, and the rest is just details. Now go out there and make it happen!
Target or Bust: Marketing That Hits the Mark
Alright, let’s cut through the advertising fluff. I’ve seen it a million times – people throwing random ideas at the wall, hoping something sticks. But here’s a reality check: Who the heck are you selling to?
Pause the brainstorming. Forget the product for a second. Does it smell like jasmine? Ocean breezes? Who cares! What you need to zero in on is who’s opening their wallet for it. I’m talking age, marital status, the works.
This isn’t blind archery. You’re not firing arrows in the dark. You’ve got to pinpoint that target audience like a laser. Your product, service, or ad isn’t for just “anyone.” It’s for someone specific.
Think about it. This isn’t just about making money (though that’s a big part of it). It’s your shortcut to creativity. When you know who you’re talking to, the world gets smaller. No longer shouting into a void. But having a one-on-one chat.
So next time you’re crafting that killer product or ad, ask yourself: “Who am I really talking to?” Nail that, and you’re not just shooting arrows. You’re hitting bullseyes. And that, my friends, is how you play the game.
The Shortcut Secret: Why Starting From Scratch is For Suckers
Let me let you in on a little secret that the big guns know: Starting with a blank slate is for rookies. It’s slow. It’s painful. It’s like reinventing the wheel every darn time. Who’s got time for that?
Here’s what the pros do: they swipe. No, not steal. But gather up a treasure trove of examples, ideas, and inspiration. It’s like jump-starting a car instead of trying to build an engine from scratch.
Think about it. Why bang your head against the wall trying to conjure up ideas out of thin air? That’s just playing the hard game. Instead, take a look around. See what’s working. Adapt. Twist. Make it your own.
This isn’t just about saving time (though it does that in spades). It’s about sparking your creativity with something already lit. It’s about standing on the shoulders of giants, not starting in the dirt.
So next time you’re gearing up to create something – a product, an ad, whatever – don’t start with a blank page. Start with a page borrowed from the best. Then, make it better. That’s the real secret to creative genius.
The Trick Up My Sleeve: How a Catalog of Knick-Knacks Turned into Marketing Gold
Here’s a trick from my playbook that’s worth its weight in gold. It’s all about finding those quirky little things that spark a big idea. Forget about starting from zero. I’m talking about stumbling upon a goldmine of inspiration in the most unlikely places.
Case in point: I was hammering out copy for Rory Fatt’s boot camp. Needed something fresh, something with a bit of pizzazz. Then, boom – I hit the jackpot. Flipping through an Oriental Trading catalog, I find myself in a world of magic-themed doodads. We’re talking tricks, cards, top hats – the whole magician’s kit.
And just like that, the lightbulb goes off. Why not a magic theme? ‘The Magical Business Life Boot Camp For Restaurant Owners.’ It’s catchy, it’s fun, and hey, all the props we could ever need are just a catalog order away.
This isn’t just about being creative. It’s about being smart and opportunistic. Why rack your brain for ideas when the world’s full of little sparks waiting to ignite your next big campaign? It’s about seeing potential in the everyday stuff, the odd bits and bobs that everyone else overlooks.
So, next time you’re on the hunt for a killer campaign theme, don’t just sit there staring at a blank screen. Take a wander. Flip through a catalog. Check out those dollar store aisles. Your next big idea might just be hiding among those trinkets and treasures.
These creativity cheats can help you fast-track your success and get things done in the real world of business.
