Elevating business & creativity: Lessons from Mount Kilimanjaro
Paige Weber, CEO of ShineThru, a virtual design and marketing firm, recently sat down with me on my podcast, Nuggets with Sauce. We discussed the significance of mental downtime in fostering creativity and avoiding the detrimental "hamster wheel" feeling. Both of us agree on the necessity of giving oneself credit, allowing mental space to innovate, and considering big retreats or shifts to change direction effectively, underscoring the importance of stepping away from the usual routine to invigorate creativity.
The Power of Retreats: Reimagining Business Strategy
One major discussion point was the idea of taking retreats to scrutinize, dream big, and redefine business goals and strategies. Paige shared her experience of feeling overworked and noticing her team's growing dispassion for their projects. Her solution? A comprehensive rebrand to a luxury boutique-style agency, focusing on ideal clients and projects that aligned with their vision. By taking time away to reflect meticulously, she rejuvenated her passion and strategically realigned her company's services, leading to considerably positive changes.
The "Flow State" = Harnessing Peak Productivity
Another key topic was the concept of the "flow state," where everything seamlessly aligns, and time seems to stand still. Paige emphasized that leaders should strive for moments of strategic and creative flow by stepping back and diverting their focus away from constant work. Achieving the flow state requires deliberate mental breaks and an environment conducive to deep thought and creativity. Nobody can pull this off when “multitasking” over a ton of conflicting tasks and deadlines!
Embracing Discipline: The Myth of Sudden Inspiration
In busting the myth of needing a stroke of inspiration to create, we both stressed the importance of discipline and consistent practice in creative work. Paige recommended reading "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield, which dives deep into overcoming resistance and pushing through to generate exemplary work. For those looking for creative gratification, TV shows like "White Lotus," "Game of Thrones," and "Mad Men" were suggested to spark inspiration and illustrate creativity's multifaceted nature.
Strategic Leadership: The Importance of Stepping Back
Another significant insight was the importance of leaders stepping back and adopting a strategic approach to their work. As an example of this in action, Paige reflected on her realization of an overburdened team and a misaligned business strategy. I highlighted the significance of choosing the right environment for a retreat, emphasizing that stepping back for a strategic assessment is essential for long-term success.
Conclusion: Embracing Change to Lead Authentically
Paige's narrative from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to reshaping her business offers profound lessons in trust, leadership, creative space, and the power of taking strategic retreats. By sharing her stories, Paige hopes to inspire others to schedule time for mental breaks, trust their teams, and consider significant shifts to avoid stagnation.
As we both concluded, becoming a "happening human being" requires stepping out of the routine to envision and enact meaningful changes.