Enhancing Creative Flow

🎨 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: 𝐀 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 & 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Job roles change. Industries evolve. Trends fade. But the core of success, creativity, and leadership never goes out of style. I was reminded of this while watching a Turkish artist perform century-old marbling art—where pigments float across water, transforming into elegant organic patterns. 𝘕𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘕𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: Early in my career, I pushed too hard—believing hustle alone led to results. But I quickly burned out. Real progress began when I blended creativity, strategy, and clarity. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟑-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐈 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 👇 🔹 𝟏. 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 🎯 The best creators and leaders allow room for experimentation. 🎯 Great managers guide energy—they don’t micromanage it. 🎯 Like marbling, creative leadership is about working with the flow, not against it. 🎯 Ideas need space to breathe before they shape into innovation. 🔹 𝟐. 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 💡 Behind every great artist is a thoughtful process. 💡 Behind every successful brand is a creative strategy. 💡 Use tools like AI, automation, and systems—but with purpose. 💡 In the modern era of digital leadership, your ideas must scale with structure. 🔹 𝟑. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 🌊 Great art doesn’t emerge in chaos—it rises from clarity. 🌊 Schedule quiet time to realign your career vision. 🌊 Remove noise, distractions, and comparison. 🌊 Flow happens when your motivation is rooted in mindfulness. 💬 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧: How are you infusing flow, creativity, and innovation into your leadership? Drop a 💡 or insight below. Let’s inspire purposeful progress—together. ✨ 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧: ✅ Creative thinking in business ✅ Purpose-driven management & career design ✅ Modern leadership & brand strategy ✅ Human-led, AI-powered content creation #leadership

We overestimate polish and underestimate momentum. Most of the breakthroughs in my career happened because I shipped something that wasn’t quite ready. Not perfect. Not final. Just done. - A quick post in 2020 that reached 30 million people. - A draft I nearly deleted that brought in three clients. - A late-night graphic I designed that inspired me to learn Illustrator. Every time, the world reminded me that the fears I had about my work not being good enough never mattered. Here are 10 reasons why done always beats perfect: 1. There’s no such thing as perfect. 2. Imperfect work still opens doors. 3. Speed is a competitive advantage. 4. Action leads to improvement. 5. Perfection is a stalling tactic. 6. You can still fix it later. 7. Real feedback arrives only after you publish. 8. Small wins build confidence to take bigger swings. 9. Done keeps you from polishing things no one will notice. 10. Shipping early exposes how unimportant most of your worries were. If you’re sitting on something, waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect version, take this as your sign: Hit publish. Ship it. Move. Momentum will take you further than perfection ever will. 🙏🏻

🤔 Does AI Make Us More Creative or More Average? Most university students in the U.S. and the U.K. use AI in their studies. As AI becomes increasingly intelligent and accessible, concerns have emerged around its impact on independent thinking and creativity. Writing is one area that clearly illustrates this concern. While students report that AI tools are helpful for tutoring or brainstorming, overreliance on AI in writing may hinder their ability to think independently and reduce their creative thinking. A study published in July 2024 and cited highly since then examined this issue. It examined whether GPT-4 can enhance or hinder creativity in the context of creative writing. Over 150 participants in the UK took part and were divided into three groups: one group wrote without any AI assistance, another received a single round of helpful ideas from GPT, and a third received up to five rounds of GPT-generated suggestions throughout their short story writing process. An independent panel of human evaluators assessed the final stories for several criteria including creativity, humor, and overall quality. 💡 Researchers found that the stories written with GPT ideas were rated as more creative, funnier, and better written, but importantly only for those participants who had lower scores on a creativity (divergent thinking) test administered beforehand. 💡 In contrast, participants who were already highly creative did not show an increase in creativity when they used GPT, perhaps due to a ceiling effect. While they still opted to use AI support when available, their story quality did not significantly improve. This suggests that GPT may serve as a helpful support for creative writing, especially for those with less experience or lower baseline creativity. 😲 However, there was a critical trade-off. Stories written with AI assistance tended to be more similar to one another. This suggests a potential homogenizing effect by making our ideas and outputs more alike. These findings offer valuable insights into how AI affects human cognition, especially creativity. 👍 On one hand, AI can empower those who are less confident or less experienced in a given domain to produce higher-quality work. 👎 On the other hand, it may reduce opportunities for truly original ideas to stand out—and over time, may contribute to a convergence of thought that makes our work more average. 🤔 One important caution that I suggest for interpretation: in this study, participants were only allowed limited use of GPT (between one and five rounds of helpful suggestions). This form of controlled AI use may represent an optimal balance between human thought and machine support. 🙁 In real-world settings, however, students can prompt AI to generate entire essays in a matter of seconds. This convenience drastically increases the risk of diminishing independent thinking and creativity in students during the critical developmental period.

Stop working. Seriously — just stop. Doing nothing might sound counterproductive, but staying laser-focused all the time actually backfires. It crushes creativity and keeps you stuck inside a box of overthinking. The truth is that often, your best ideas come when you’re not forcing them. Here’s how it works: 1. Stop Fixating ↳ Too much focus actually blocks creativity. 2. Tap Into the “Default Mode”
↳ When you’re not actively working, your brain’s “default mode network” kicks in. (This is the magic zone where ideas connect, solutions form, and those “aha!” moments happen) 3. Walk It Out
↳ Science backs this up: a Stanford study found walking outdoors boosts creativity (Opezzo, 2014). Just pick a path — around the block, through a park, whatever works — and make it your thinking space. No fancy apps. No productivity hacks. Just you and the open air. P.S. Have you ever had a great idea come to you while you were doing something totally unrelated? #creativity #innovation #peakperformance

70% of the designers I know are struggling with this. It is “client micromanagement!” In several cases, this can be because the client does not trust you or is someone who wants everything to be perfect. While some clients can mean this genuinely, when they constantly try to intervene in the process, it can destroy your creativity and increase stress. The feeling of not being able to meet a client’s expectations can lead to burnout. This is why I recommend every designer should do: → Communicate with your clients about all the stages, from the initial concepts to the final design. When they know what to expect, they’re less likely to micromanage. → Show your clients that you understand them by listening and incorporating their feedback. Over time, as you deliver results, they’ll feel much more confident. → If micromanagement is negatively affecting the project, talk about it. Most clients will appreciate your honesty and back off when they know the consequences. Most designers are usually scared to openly communicate as they feel that the client might find it rude. But if you don’t communicate, they will never know the issues you are facing. Do you openly communicate with your clients?  #graphicdesigner

Do you ever get “fear of the blank page’? You’re staring at a blank page wondering if you will ever be able to come up with an idea and crack the brief.   If this is you, I have a technique that might help.   “Start stupid”   Years ago, my team and I were trying to drum up some creative for a new colour TV.   We couldn’t get off the ground with an idea. We needed something (anything) to get the thoughts flowing.   So, I had a stupid idea.   “Let’s get an actor dressed as King Henry VIII to introduce the new TV. He can talk about how great the new TV is.” 😅   I knew it would never run. But it gave us lift off for a better idea.   Here are three things to remember…   1. Stupid ideas are good 🎉 2. If they’re not good, they can be useful    3. Being sensible kills creativity 🎨 Getting past blank page syndrome: what’s your method?   #creativity #blankpagesyndrome #stupid #businessofcreativity

What if you stopped working 48 hours before your project deadline?   This project management chart perfectly captures what happens to most teams. We laugh because it's painfully true.   But what if there was a way to avoid that chaotic "Project Reality" scenario altogether?   When I was a child, we would all be cramming the day before our school tests. During lunch breaks on test days, the school playground transformed into a sea of anxious children muttering facts while neglecting their parathas.   Then I witnessed something that would change my approach to deadlines.   The day before a major exam, I visited my neighbour to borrow her notes. I found her calmly playing carrom. "I never open my books 48 hours before an exam," she said with serene confidence.   I was shocked. Her grades? Consistently stellar.   This simple philosophy transformed my approach to project management:   Always allocate a 20% time buffer at the end of every project, during which no work is scheduled.   This buffer isn't for work. It's for reflection, quality improvements, and the strategic thinking that transforms good deliverables into exceptional ones.   Here are some benefits I have observed using this approach:   ▪️That last tweak in the colour or button dramatically improves UI ▪️Rework requests sharply decline ▪️Sales pitches achieve better outcomes ▪️The final touches which introduce the personalised elements help build strong customer relationships ▪️Board is much more engaged in the conversation and approvals go through smoothly ▪️Output is significantly streamlined and simplified multiplying impact ▪️Less stress all around   Do teams initially resist this approach? Absolutely.   "We're wasting productive time," or "the client/board doesn't need the material so much in advance of the meeting" are the common complaints.   But as teams experience the dramatic quality improvements and the elimination of those dreaded last-minute fire drills, attitudes change.   The next time you're planning a project, fight the urge to schedule work until the very last minute. Those final breathing spaces are where excellence happens.   Have you tried an unconventional deadline management strategy - do share!   #projectmanagement #leadership #execution #productivityhacks

Are you frequently overwhelmed by worries, even about minor things? This could be a sign of anxiety. While anxiety is a common feeling involving unease, worry, or fear - particularly during periods of uncertainty, change, or high-stress situations - if not addressed, it can evolve to be pervasive. Anxiety can make it difficult to focus on our work and impact productivity and well-being. According to a study by Champion Health in the UK, 60% of employees experience some form of anxiety. This statistic is concerning, but what's more troubling is that many people suffer in silence, unaware or unwilling to acknowledge their struggles. Throughout my journey, I've encountered numerous moments where, in retrospect, anxiety was a silent battle for me. Externally, I appeared successful, but I was wrestling with persistent worries and self-doubt internally. Thankfully, with professional help and a supportive personal network, I've learned to manage these challenges better. My experiences have underscored the need to openly discuss anxiety and educate ourselves on coping mechanisms and support options. To get some practical insights and tips on this topic, I reached out to my friend Dana Berri. Dana is a licensed psychologist with expertise in applying Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques. Here are 3 invaluable tips she shared on managing anxiety: 1. Befriend your anxiety and allow it to be: Contrary to the common advice we often hear telling us ‘not to worry’, a positive approach for managing anxiety involves intentionally allowing ourselves to explore these worries and letting the worry run its course. Ask yourself: ↳What am I thinking about right now? ↳On a scale of 1-10, how stressful do I feel? ↳Explore the worst-case and best-case scenarios and their probability. 2. Reframe your thoughts: Once you have identified these negative thoughts, try transforming them into more positive or constructive ones. E.g. ‘I will never be good at this’ to ‘This may be challenging now, but with practice, I can improve my skills over time.’ 3. Lean on problem-solving: Apply a problem-solving approach once you've identified and reframed negative thoughts. 1. Identify the Concern: ‘What's the specific concern that's causing anxiety?’ 2. Ask the Right Questions and focus on what’s helpful rather than what is right or wrong: Instead of dwelling on the worst-case scenario, redirect your focus. E.g. ‘What aspects of this situation are within my control?, is this thought helping me get what I want?’ 3. Set Realistic Goals: E.g. If you're anxious about an upcoming presentation, dedicate specific time to preparation. 4. Consider the Variables: Determine which variables you can influence and take action. E.g. You can’t control your manager’s mood, but you can plan to leave home early to avoid peak traffic. PS: Approach your feelings with kindness and curiosity. Image Credit: 6seconds.org

What do Albert Einstein, Paul McCartney, and Virgina Woolf have in common – besides being highly influential figures in their respective fields?    All three revealed that some of their most creative ideas came to them whilst they were walking or sleeping.   Ok, so what’s the brain up to this time? Why should disengaging help #creativity?   In 2014, a group of researchers at Stanford measured the positive effects of mild physical activity on creativity – and found that walking boosted creativity by between 50-80%.   👉 When students took a brisk walk around the college campus or walked at a relaxed pace on an indoor treadmill facing a blank wall – their performance on a test of creativity called the “Alternate Uses Task” improved by a whopping 81%! The AUT tests “divergent thinking,” which is the ability to explore many possible solutions, including blue sky or out of the box thinking.   👉 Walking outdoors produced the most novel and highest quality analogies, indicating that walking had a very specific benefit in improving creativity. 👉 Furthermore, walking made people more talkative, resulting in roughly 50% more total ideas being produced compared to when sitting.    In other words, just going for a short walk led to a massive increase in creativity. Or, in the words of the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, "All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.”   Sleeping on it seems to have a similar creativity-enhancing effect as physical exercise. How many times have you come back to tackle a seemingly insurmountable problem after a sleep – or even a nap – and the pieces seemed to fall right into place?   Studies have found that during the phase of sleep known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, the brain is able to make new and novel connections between unrelated ideas, which is a key aspect of creativity. This state of sleep allows for the free association of ideas, which can lead to creative problem-solving and the generation of innovative ideas upon waking. REM sleep is thought to contribute to "incubating" creative ideas, as the brain reorganizes and consolidates memories, potentially leading to creative insights.   Both physical exercise and sleep are mood-enhancers, which may contribute to enhancing creativity.   Research suggests that positive moods can enhance creative thinking, making it easier for individuals to think flexibly and come up with innovative solutions. Positive emotional states often increase cognitive flexibility, broaden attention, and allow for more associations between ideas, which are key elements of creativity.   Turns out, there are practical ways to spark more ‘Aha!’ moments in our lives. The next time you’re struggling to think of a solution to a problem, try taking a walk or sleeping on it – the evidence-backed cheat-codes for unlocking creativity!   #WalkingAndCreativity #SleepAndCreativity

This book changed how I thought about my business. And how I think as a creative. “The Creative Act – A Way Of Being” by Rick Rubin isn’t just inspirational, It’s a deep, strategic reframe of how you approach creativity, leadership, burn out, frustration and self-expression. Five years into building Because of Marketing, I’ve realised that if you want to build something that outlives you, it has to start with how you think. I haven't put this book down and recommended it to so many friends and founders! Almost every page, I’ve underlined or highlighted specific words and sentences. But here are my key takeaways: → Creativity Is About Awareness, Not Control Rubin reminds us that creativity starts with paying attention. Ideas don’t appear because we force them, they emerge when we create space for them to surface. As founders, we often try to force ideas into existence. But the real breakthroughs come when we step back and allow space for them to unfold. → It Expands Your Thinking Beyond A Core Problem Rubin draws from music, art, philosophy, and nature. If you’re stuck on an idea, look at other industries for inspiration. It helps you build a more expansive worldview. → Creativity Has to Be Sustainable We work in an industry that never stops, especially now we have entered the Q4 craziness. Rubin offers a roadmap for long-term creativity. He shows you how to create habits, environments, and practices that keep ideas flowing over time, helping you avoid self doubt and burn out. Because of Marketing has over 700,000 people who have hit that follow button. I don’t want Because of Marketing to only exist.  I want it to matter to our audience. For the past year, we've really honed in on where we seek inspiration, pushed ourselves creatively, studied other industries, and continue to refine every piece of content we put out. I could dive deeper but reading this book reminded me why I care so much about building Because of Marketing. - Active awareness. - Boundless curiosity. - A deep respect for the creative process. And I’ll leave you with a few of my favourite quotes from the book: “Your entire life is a form of self-expression.” “Creativity is a fundamental aspect of being human.” “Failure is the information you need to get to where you’re going.” “Faith allows you to trust the direction without needing to understand it.” If you’re building something; whether it’s a brand, a business, a community or your career, this book will challenge how you see creativity, overcome self doubt and connect with your inner child. Let me know if you’ve read it! 🤎