Creative Problem Solving: Embracing the Process, Not Just the Solution
As a creative, we’re no stranger to problem solving. Whether it’s convincing someone to buy into your idea, getting the right kind of attention for a project, or even rebranding to stay relevant, the act of solving a creative problem feels like a constantly shifting puzzle.
It’s not just about finding the answer—it’s about embracing the process.
And in this process, being open-minded and willing to learn from both your successes and your mistakes is key.
Take selling your idea, for example. How many times have you crafted the perfect pitch, only to have it fall flat? You might feel defeated, but the beauty is in the reflection—you get to go back and rework what went wrong. Was it your approach? The timing? Your audience? What worked last time might not work this time, and that’s okay. Creativity isn’t linear; it's more like a winding road with plenty of unexpected turns. Sometimes, the most brilliant ideas come after you’ve gotten the dreadful "no."
Think about driving traffic to your website or social media channels. You can have the most incredible content, but if your audience isn’t engaging or discovering it, then it’s time to rethink your strategy. But don’t rush into a fast fix. Take a step back and listen—to your audience, to your data, and to your gut. Maybe it’s a content tweak, maybe it’s how you’re positioning yourself. Learning to experiment, while keeping an optimistic and realistic attitude, is half the battle. You can try something and fail. And that’s perfectly fine because failure is one of the best teachers.
The same goes for rebranding—whether it’s your business, your product, or even yourself as a creative. Rebranding isn’t about slapping a new logo on something and calling it a day. It’s about understanding what worked, what didn’t, and where the current climate of your industry and audience is headed. Rebranding is not just a creative exercise; it’s a reflection of growth. It asks you to take the good, the bad, and the in-between, and translate it into something that resonates deeper with those you want to reach. It’s about staying true to yourself while adapting to meet the world’s evolving needs.
What’s key throughout this process is staying open-minded. The moment you shut yourself off from new ideas or stop listening to feedback, that’s when you get stuck. Stay curious. Ask questions, and really listen to the answers. I’ve found that the best solutions don’t always come from grand ah ha moments; they often come from quiet observations, feedback from others, or just being in the right place at the right time.
Creativity thrives in a space where we allow the world to influence us without losing ourselves in the process. And let’s not forget the most important part: learning from your past. Every idea you’ve pitched, every campaign you’ve launched, every challenge you’ve faced holds valuable lessons. Don’t just brush those experiences aside. Look back—what worked and why? What didn’t? And most importantly, how can you use what you’ve learned to push forward? It’s easy to focus on what didn’t succeed, but there's so much value in understanding why things didn’t go as planned. That’s the fuel that’ll drive your next step.
Creativity isn’t a switch you turn on—it’s something that develops and evolves as you do. Embrace the messiness of it all, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. After all, they’re just stepping stones to your next big breakthrough.
Stay bold. Stay curious. Stay creative. The solutions will come, even when you least expect them.
N.Joans