5 Steps to Simplify a Creative Process (Part 1)
Updated: Oct 25, 2023
Most planning, innovating, and creating naturally follow 5 steps to simplify the creative process. We'll explore these steps in-depth and see how they can make your process flow more smoothly.
To kick things off, we'll dive into the most overlooked yet vital step in creative planning: Defining the Objective.
Stage 1: Defining the Objective
Picture this: you're about to play a board game, but you're handed a box full of cards with no instructions on how to win. Would you play without a clear objective?
A well-defined objective lies at the core of any endeavor – the "big idea" steers everything in the right direction. What does a "win" look like for your initiative?
Begin by asking yourself or your planning team types of questions like:
What's the purpose of this event? Who is this campaign intended for, and why should they participate? What problem does this initiative aim to solve for someone? In what ways will someone benefit from what we're offering?
Once you've nailed down the objective, put it in writing. Avoid vague statements like "making everyone enjoy social interaction and learn something." Instead, be specific and concise. Your objective will be your guiding star throughout the entire creative process. Every element you plan should be directly linked to this objective; otherwise, it might become a distracting side note.
By establishing a crystal-clear objective from the get-go, you ensure that every step in your planning process aligns with your ultimate goal, significantly boosting the chances of success. This clarity will also help potential participants clearly understand what they can expect.
Defining the objective marks the initial and vital stage in any creative process. It sets the stage for how you'll proceed and ensures that every decision and component aligns with the overarching goal. Think of it as understanding the rules of a game before you dive in – it's fundamental for achieving a meaningful and successful outcome.
Next Step: Brainstorming
In the next part of this series, we'll delve into the second stage: brainstorming, where creativity takes center stage as you explore various ideas to bring your objective to life.
As a helpful bonus, we've put together an infographic for you to download that will complement this series.
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