Brad Ball

The journey is what teaches us who we are but can also challenge us to become more. It is time to prepare and do the work to achieve your greatest potential. It is time to unlock your creative genius.

As any entrepreneur will tell you, there will always be a fire to put out or something else to be done. You cannot let those things deter you from reaching your full creative potential.

As with many things we do, for something to be successful, you have to put in the time. There is no way around it.

When I perform for hour-long events, I am provided enough time to correct any mistakes. Anything less than 10 minutes has to have direction, planning and focus. The direction, planning and focus come with preparation.

There are times we have to produce under pressure. For many, this may not be a big deal because they are prepared and are ready for almost any situation. Others have to prepare to produce.

This is good but can also be problematic because acrylic paint will typically not dry fast enough to fix a mistake. I can be fun and dramatic but still have a purpose with the paint.

When I go long periods of time between speed paintings, I lose a huge lack of comfort or confidence. Mainly because I haven’t practiced and my style can go wrong quickly. For example, I can get excited on stage and start putting paint all over the canvas.

Hopefully, you are older, wiser and more experienced to know there will be traps ahead. Ones that could completely detail your journey if you are not focused and prepared.

In business, we have a big audacious goal but getting there is a difficult scenario. You cannot see all the traps along the way. I was young so once I set out, I was committed, regardless of the traps ahead.

Of the many things I have learned, one is I wouldn’t be where I am today without all the experiences I have gone through. Both the good and the bad. The wins and failures.

As business owners, we go through ups and downs. Sometimes these can be small, and sometimes large swings. As people, these swings can lead to an emotional roller coaster we do not want to ride. I personally have been through many ups and downs in business.

Giving people the space to do their job to create is pivotal. Otherwise, you stifle creativity, imagination and success.

Imagine how your work or business would be influenced by encouraging 15-minute creative walks or mind-recentering exercises.

Companies can lead into the next generation by not taking away creativity by sitting at a desk all day, but create time for them to let the creativity flow like a waterfall.

It’s ok to try something new. Tear it down and build something truly remarkable. Even to fail in the process because that is how we learn.

Artists are not limited to paint, brush, musical instrument or items we typically associate with creativity. Art dwells inside each and every one of us regardless of the utensil.

And then, you will continue to unlock the creative genius inside.

Every successful leader has a story of perseverance and pushing through when times get difficult. Be the leader. Be the successful person you believe yourself to be. Slow down, think through the situation and creatively find the solution to your problem.

If you are not used to it, the process may be complex but I promise, the more you slow down to think creatively, the more your genius will grow.

Stimulating creativity can be as simple as taking a moment to reflect and think. Thinking through different perspectives and scenarios.