Boost creative confidence as a small business owner using 3 mindset changes
You know that idea, the calm before the storm? It’s super normal! I feel it from time to time. Maybe it’s because of all the challenges we’ve faced in the last few years, coupled with enjoying the reality of working independently… either way, times are tough for small business owners. Often you can feel as though a ‘big thing’ is around the corner, and it can blur how you move forward. My way of facing it? Using creative confidence as a tool to reframe complex feelings like anticipation, change and uncertainty.
In an effort to share the love, I’ve pulled together three reflections on how can build creative confidence in your business (or personal life!). As a graphic designer and brand specialist, this helps me focus when the air around me is a bit opaque, so I can continue producing high quality work for my clients.
1. Harness the (fantastic) feeling of anticipation in your business
“Out in the world, it’s more chaotic. You have to deal with unexpected findings, with uncertainty, and with irrational people who say things you don’t want to hear. But that is where you find insights—and creative breakthroughs.”
As Tom and David Kelley of IDEO put it for the Harvard Business Review, you can reclaim your creative confidence by facing the unknown, and not letting fear stop you in your tracks.
Anticipation is often unsettling, yes, but it’s filled with equal balances of uncertainty and excitement. It’s change in real time. A glass half full. Anticipation allows you to go from possibility to a reality. It helps you feel as though you’re on the precipice of something worthwhile. That is where challenge and creativity are in harmony. It is essential that during difficult times in the world, you relish a shift in horizons and enjoy the process of getting from A – B within your business. The benefit of being a business owner means you can champion your own destiny. Anticipation allows you to build on who you are as an entrepreneur, bravely make scary decisions and strengthen creative confidence.
2. Reframe how you view uncertainty and find innovation in creativity
It is important to challenge an automatically negative perception of uncertainty, because in those ‘acute’ moments of tough life stuff, we can’t see the forest from the trees. Our instinctual reaction is to go into protection mode and see uncertainty as a ‘bad’ thing. But! By reframing what uncertainty means to you, particularly as creative business owner or service provider, you can channel it more as innovation, toward your business goals, rather than feel blockaded by them. Some of your most exciting ideas may surprise you and happen during times like this. It is all part of the creative process.
If you’re looking for ways to embrace creative thinking, check out my worksheet, Awaken Your Day, which shares six methods to amplify creative ideas.
3. Progress and confidence will flow when you are open to change
Progress is scary! That we all know. For any business or individual, making a shift from the comfort of the known, to the discomfort of the unknown, is not something everybody is ready for. But ask yourself this… “If my brand stays stagnant today, what will I be proud of tomorrow?” Pushing your boundaries and allowing an opportunity or different approach to present itself, may be the turning tide of a new evolution for your brand and business. If you allowed progress to flow, and you knew you couldn’t fail, what would you choose to do?
Whatever you feel and no matter what challenges you’re going through with your business or personal life, today is another day. I’m always keen to hear about what difficulties other entrepreneurs or businesses are going through, either on a professional or personal level. Do get in touch if you fancy a chat about it, or pop me a message on the ‘gram @OAMDesignCo.
