When it comes to starting and running a successful and sustainable business, creativity is key.
We’re not just talking about the design aspect of your fashion business, we are also talking about the business aspect of your business. From figuring out ways to scrape together startup costs to implementing inexpensive but highly effective marketing campaigns, creativity is the only way to grow. It’s imperative that we nuture the creative side of running a sustainable business.
We recently came across an article on Fast Company preaching the importance of taking a week to yourself; no email, no phone calls, no meetings. Just you and your thoughts.
Yeah right.
The article goes on to say that some of the world’s leading innovators have worked this creative hiatus into their business practices, i.e. Bill Gates. OK, we get it, fostering our creativity is the best way to excel and innovate.
The problem seems to lie in finding the time to hone in on the creative process, right? How can we take a week to disappear from the world and just brainstorm? We can’t. We don’t have a team of assistants and employees who can keep things afloat while we’re off reading and thinking.
In light of this, the article suggests scratching the idea of taking a weeks hiatus (duh) and instead taking 1hour twice a week. That, in case you’re tired, is 2 hours a week. That we could probably do.
Here’s what the author is challenging us to do:
Get away from your desk to a place of inspiration such as an art museum, park, or historic landmark. Turn your phone off and your ideas on. Schedule the time, and treat it with the same importance as any other business meeting. Show up fully, and let your imagination soar.
We like this idea. We know it’s not always easy, but honestly, it’s smart. How can we be expected to sustain a business, much less grow a business if we don’t spend time on our strongest characteristic: Creativity. So, give it a try. You may be surprised by just how much you get out of 2 hours all to yourself.