Creative Bravery

Creative bravery is not bravery at all. Nothing meaningful is lost if you are a creative coward. It’s sort of a one-person game (or one-team game) you play and if you are successful in being “creatively brave”, it is satisfying to the soul. It's such an artistic weirdo thing, but I imagine if you’re reading this then you’ve experienced that satisfaction. I believe if you’re truly successful in your creative bravery, you’ve not just made something that was good and satisfying but something that also surprised you. It might even be some of your best work.

How do you do that? How is it repeatable or teachable? I think the answer is in another buzz phrase— taking risks. More importantly, being comfortable taking risks and comfortable being wrong. Then, having the guts to push on and stay on pursuit of great work.

You can’t fear imperfection, or getting it wrong on the first attempt, or shut down ideas too quickly. You can’t self-edit yourself to oblivion with what you assume, or fear, the client might say about it. You know who you should always avoid working with? Someone who kills ideas too quickly because they’re afraid of being wrong or even “too creative”.

If you are exploring the boundaries of your skills (pushing aside what you can for certain do well) you will have some messy ideas, sloppy work, off-brief takes, even some wrong turns. The choice you have then is to retreat back to your comfort zone, or reload and fight on with bravery.

Well, creative bravery.

It’s process. Client feedback is part of it too. If you really care about doing great work and being a valuable partner to your clients, at some point you will have to disagree with them. You will have to tell them their idea is not the best option.

Even harder, you will have to accept that their idea is better.

Cower or fight on.