Creative Entrepreneurship Basics: You Need Input from Others (Part 2)

Today, I’m coming at you with a continuation of the discussion, regarding the importance of receiving input from others when exploring creative endeavors (new and ongoing). This particular topic has been very prominent as a focus in the current projects I’m participating in, because I’m learning more and more how valuable it is to get the people I serve involved in the processes in which I’m serving them.

Take this blog, for instance.

I seek to receive feedback from you every time I publish a blog post. I truly do. I want to know if I’m delivering messaging that makes a positive impact in your day. (And feel free to drop a comment, like, dislike, share, follow — you know the drill — to let me know how I’m doing.) Yes, I’m striving for the positive placement in your life (positive reinforcement of something you already know, encouragement to make incremental changes and advances that lead to life betterment, helpful tips and hints to make life easier, relatable content that lets you know you’re not alone, and all the good ways this blog can possibly serve you).

I just want to be a bright spot in your day in some way. Really, that’s all I’m seeking. Totally doable, I think.

But, I could just be spinning my wheels, thinking I’m getting somewhere on the blogging road I’m travelling (but not really) if I never notice the signs along the way telling me that I’m going the wrong way or I got off on the wrong exit or I didn’t take the detour I needed to arrive at my destination spot.

It’s easy to get blinded by your own desire to take what YOU think is the appropriate path; when in fact, you never stopped to take into account those travelling with you. Did you get their input on how to arrive at the destination spot that you’re ALL looking forward to seeing one day? Maybe your travelling companions:

• have a more scenic way to go that will allow you all to experience more of the beauty in the travelling process you’re taking. (You know . . . the “stop and smell the roses” mentality — the “embrace the process” phenomenon; so you can get the most out of the experience.) OR
• know the most efficient path to take, where some of those construction blockades, potholes in the road, and detours that soak up so much time can be avoided. OR
• are just plain pleasant to have around. Perhaps, they have a knack for making the time fly by when you’re in travel mode. Let’s face it. It can be boring and tedious to travel alone. And your companions could bring that spice that makes the voyage much more enjoyable than what you could possibly experience as the lone traveler.

So, wouldn’t it make sense to get people involved in your creative experiences? I’m just saying.

What’s the use of creating whatever it is you’re creating and then it’s not desired by anyone? I mean I’ve been there and done that several times, and it doesn’t feel very good. No, not at all. Rejection . . . dismissal . . . whatever you want to call it. It just doesn’t feel very good to the old mental capacity. So, I’ve decided that I can’t go this road alone. I have to bring some folks along for the ride. And, that’s where my wonderful Degrees of Maternity friends and family come in.

I’ve decided that I don’t like travelling alone anymore; and honestly, I don’t want you to either. When you’re in a creative space that has the potential to make a meaningful impact (no matter the size) in the lives of others, you simply CAN NOT afford to leave them out of the loop. You have to get them involved.

And here are some of the things I’ve used in the past, am currently using, or would like to use in the future to allow those travelling with me during my creative journeys to provide their much sought-after input:

1. surveys and polls
2. emails
3. comments sections on my blog, YouTube channel, podcast, Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy stores
4. questions posted on my blog and in my newsletters to my email subscribers
5. phone calls, asking for feedback
6. interviews
7. guest blog opportunities
8. community forums
9. video conferencing chats
10. workshops and courses

These are just some of the ways that I seek to receive input from you and others like you who have some interest in what goes on around here. And not to toot my own horn or anything, but I’ve got some great stuff going on currently. So, I can only imagine that whatever’s in store for the future is only going to get even better from here. It has to, because I intend to grow in my pursuit of seeking knowledge from those around me. I’m a sponge and I want to soak up everything that others are willing to drip-drop my way.

And, how about you? Have you or will you be looking into some of the ways to enlist input from others that I’ve noted above. Or, do you have your own methods (not listed) that you have or intend to use? I’d love to know.

And while you’re thinking on the questions above, you’re invited to mosey on over to this survey right here and give me some of your feedback for how to best travel on the journey that my creative endeavors are taking me on. I posed these same questions to my DOMinators News family (email subscribers to my newsletter), and I’d like to pose these same questions to my friends and family here at the Degrees of Maternity blog as well.

Hey, and you’re always welcomed to join my email list at anytime (if you haven’t already). I’ll be rolling out some good stuff over there from me and others who were willing to contribute their input into making the Degrees of Maternity email list platform really beneficial to all those currently involved and those who are coming in the future.