Who do you think you are?

Unlocking the power of your unique potential.

Last week, I was on a call with some brilliant colleagues, and after listening to each other’s thoughts, we characterized each person’s experience and point of view with a single word. Mine was "Artist." Later that same day, I was invited to be a guest on a podcast about creativity. As I sent through my initial thoughts for the podcast, I simultaneously received the following quote from a friend, whom I’d only spoken to for the first time in many years, a few hours before:

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” ― Martha Graham

Do you ever feel guided towards your work in the world?

Consider your own journey. What experiences have shaped your path? Have you faced crossroads that could have changed your life's direction? Reflect on these moments, and think about how they have influenced your current trajectory.

A Personal Story of Art and Growth:

I come from a family of artists on my mother's side. My mum didn't discover she was an artist until her late 50s and early 60s. I discovered art at school. It was the only thing I remember naturally excelling at. Through art, I escaped my dysfunctional upbringing. It brought me peace amid the violence of my childhood.

At 16, I was supposed to go to art school, but I refused, fearing it would anchor me to the negative experiences I was trying so desperately to escape. Instead, I continued at the same school in their Sixth Form to do my A Levels, including Art. This “sliding doors” moment changed my life's trajectory. Despite art being my best subject, I didn't create another piece for twenty years. I did three pastel drawings for other people, but I couldn't sleep for days after because of the brilliance of the colours flashing in my mind. I've been “internally blocked” from creating art since then.

At Uni, I earned a degree in European Marketing and then worked in creative roles throughout my career. At school, one of my first summer jobs had been in a screen printing factory's design studio and on the factory floor packing boxes. Throughout my early to mid-career in Product/Brand/Marketing, I brought strategy, product, point of sale, catalogues, branding and visual centres, consumer experiences, packaging, and advertising, amongst other things, to life creatively. Yet, my favorite creative outlet was always thinking differently about what's possible.

Since 2003, I've traveled, studied, lived, and worked around the world, experiencing diverse perspectives to create an informed worldview. My soul feels alive when I embrace my inner "artist", seeing the world with new eyes, challenging common narratives and my assumptions, and making the intangible tangible. This constant evolution and growth helps me think bigger.

One of my most rewarding creative experiences was at Nike, delivering the first Nike House of Innovation in NYC. My brilliant creative partner arranged for an illustrator to capture our ideation session in real-time. We brought our initial vision to life to help communicate the idea to the broader team, who then took the lead in making our initial thinking better and delivering innovative, creative, and experiential excellence. Working with the best creative minds at Nike was a dream. I am always inspired by world-class, original, insight-informed creativity, whether thousands of years old or created by the imaginative worldbuilders of tomorrow. I love collaborating with creative partners who can’t help breaking barriers, challenging the status quo, and exploring what's possible in a partnership of trust and positivity.

As a strategist, I'm addicted to whiteboards and tables. I think in patterns, shapes, and colors, and drawing things out by hand helps me clarify my thoughts and visually express them to others. As a certified Coach, I help creators, innovators, and brand leaders break paradigms about what's possible. As a creator in a leadership role, it's so easy to underestimate one's power to create a better world. The future is in our hands, and I help people to think differently about what's possible and their role in taking the world to the next level.

Over time, I've evolved from thinking differently about what's possible for myself to thinking about what's possible for brands and innovators. These days, I spend most of my time helping leaders in the private sector think about what's possible for themselves, their brands and our world. My company, Create A Bold Future LLC is founded on my belief that anything is possible—we just have to decide and then use our ingenuity to get there.

I’m still blocked from making art for myself (tips to get unblocked are most welcome), but I've learned to trust and believe in the process and possibilities of thinking and doing things differently. At my core, I am an artist. I thrive in ambiguity, making sense of it and bringing it to life like I’d create an image on a blank canvas for others to see. The true measure of an artist and creative mindset is not just in the art they create but in the impact they have on the world around them.

Key Learnings

- Each person has a unique voice and perspective. Inspired by Martha Graham's quote, don’t compare yourself to others or judge your work against theirs. Your expression is valuable simply because it is yours. Keep the channel open and stay true to your creative impulses.

- Recognize Pivotal Moments: Reflect on the "sliding doors" moments in your life. How have your decisions at critical junctures influenced where you are today? Understanding these moments can help you appreciate your journey and guide your future choices.

- Harness the Power of Trust: Working with others can amplify your creative potential. Find partners who challenge the status quo and push the edges of what's possible. In an environment of trust, collaboration can lead to innovative and impactful outcomes.

- Think Differently About What’s Possible: Challenge common narratives and assumptions. Look at the world with fresh eyes, and allow your evolving perspective to inspire bigger, bolder ideas. Thinking differently is a powerful tool for creativity and problem-solving.

- Find Joy in the Process: Creativity is often about the journey, not the destination. Embrace the process of creating, and the driving force that keeps us alive and striving for more, even if the end result is uncertain.