{"id":90057,"date":"2023-01-28T15:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-28T19:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=90057"},"modified":"2023-02-01T13:44:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T17:44:53","slug":"creative-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/creative-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"The 4 Creative Habits of Successful Innovators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What creative habits<\/a> should you get into? How can these habits create fresh and exciting ideas?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Bold<\/em>, Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler present a number of strategies that successful innovators rely on to come up with ideas, products, and services that change the world<\/a>. Their recommendations can be condensed into four main habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s explore the four creative habits that you should pick up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Habit #1: Back Your Innovations With Far-Reaching <\/em>and Purpose-Driven Goals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first creative habit the authors recommend is backing your innovations with far-reaching<\/em> and purpose-driven <\/em>goals. A far-reaching<\/em> goal is so big that it seems nearly impossible to the average person.<\/strong> Creating far-reaching goals will hinge on Strength #1: the ability to think unconventionally and autonomously. A purpose-driven<\/em> goal aligns with your values and aims to accomplish something higher than its basic purpose<\/strong>. Creating purpose-driven goals will hinge on Strength #3: knowing your purpose<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, imagine that your innovation is a service that connects people who want to care for animals to animals in need. The far-reaching and purpose-driven goal inspiring that innovation might be to reduce the number of homeless, malnourished, abused, and injured animals in the world. This is an extremely ambitious goal that has a higher purpose of making the world a better, more humane place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backing your innovations with far-reaching<\/em> and purpose-driven<\/em> goals is crucial because these innovations are the most impactful<\/strong>\u2014the kind that change the world in some way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a Company Vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bold<\/em> authors argue that you must create far-reaching, purpose-driven goals to drive your innovations and, ultimately, achieve success. In Traction<\/em><\/a>,<\/em> Gino Wickman makes a similar argument. He sees setting these goals as two steps to creating a defining vision<\/em> for your company that will lead to its success. Here\u2019s Wickman\u2019s full process for creating a defining vision<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Come up with a list of defining values for your company.<\/li>
  2. Create a 10-year goal (the far-reaching goal that Bold<\/em>\u2019s authors recommend), a three-year goal, and a one-year goal for your company.<\/li>
  3. Create a marketing strategy based on your core focus (the purpose underlying your company\u2019s mission or your innovation, similar to Diamandis and Kotler\u2019s purpose-driven goals).<\/li>
  4. Identify priorities for the next 90 days that will help you move toward your far-reaching goal and that align with your purpose<\/a>.<\/li>
  5. Identify the issues preventing you from reaching your goals<\/a>.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Habit #2: Create Micro-Goals That Build Your Credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The authors recommend breaking down your end goal of having a successful, world-changing innovation into micro-goals<\/em>: smaller achievements intended to pave your way toward success by<\/strong> building credibility<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Having high credibility is crucial to success because it makes outside stakeholders, like customers and critics, see your innovation as likely to succeed<\/em>. And once your innovation goes public, these stakeholders are the ones who\u2019ll determine your success\u2014they\u2019ll either endorse your product, leading to success, or they\u2019ll be unimpressed and you\u2019ll fade into the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To help identify your micro-goals,<\/strong> consider the steps necessary to complete your innovation and gain credibility in the industry<\/strong>: Are there any skills or abilities you must demonstrate to the public? Any important contacts or supporters you should acquire?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, if your end goal is to establish an online platform that connects people who want to care for animals to animals in need, a few of your micro-goals might be: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Hold a conference to discuss animal welfare and invite people and organizations dedicated to the cause, such as veterinarians, animal shelters, welfare societies, farms, and pet foster parents.<\/li>
    2. Raise $1,000 every month to donate to animal welfare societies.<\/li>
    3. Create a user-friendly website where members can sign up to either adopt an animal or advertise for an animal in need.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Ultimately, your micro-goals will build a track record that shows the public that you\u2019re credible\u2014you know what you\u2019re doing, you\u2019ve succeeded in the past, and you have other credible people supporting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Build Credibility by Starting With Your Online Presence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Business experts generally agree that building credibility, and setting sub-goals to do so, is one of the best ways to achieve success and public acceptance as an entrepreneur. However, in today\u2019s age of social media, some experts argue that the best way<\/em> to gain success is to focus your micro-goals on improving your online image<\/em>\u2019s credibility. This is because consumers are most likely to support products based on how they appear online and on social media<\/a>. It only takes 0.05 seconds for someone to make their mind up about the product, so it\u2019s crucial that your public image screams \u201ccredible!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Experts make a few recommendations for creating micro goals that, when accomplished, will give your idea a credible online public image<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n