Creativity, Deadlines & Collaboration

Getting caught in the creative rabbit hole.?

Being in the creative industries, we’ve fallen down that hole many times and it is easy to do.?

I think the old newspaper guy in me adapts to this well as I’ve spent most of my life with very hard deadlines. Starting in the advertising department, you quickly found out that the press waits for no one; it runs regardless of whether your piece is ready. This applied to every department in the company.

The temptation is always there: "What if we adjust this image just a tad?" or "Could this headline be a smidge catchier?" It's a never-ending cycle of "could've, should've, would've."

Recently, in an Inc. article, I was fascinated by the approach of the founder Lorne Micheals of Saturday Night Live. I think of his quote often (and as people around me can attest, I bring it up often).?

"The show doesn't go on because we're ready. It goes on because it's 11:30."

- Lorne Michaels.?

In this story, he shared three key points that he associated with the success of the long running show.?

1. Embrace Deadlines: Lorne Michaels highlights progress over perfection. SNL's weekly shows demonstrate the value of consistent momentum and adaptability.
2. Open Collaboration: SNL thrives on teamwork and inclusive decision-making. Engaging all stakeholders ensures diverse ideas and shared growth.
3. Impactful Presentations: SNL's rehearsing strategies emphasize clear, resonant communication. Elevating these skills ensures clarity and engagement in any setting.

We take a lot of pride in the quality of the creative work that we produce at Road 55 but it’s Loud & Clear to me that we must remain mindful of the boundaries and timelines set before us to maintain our forward trajectory.? Perfection is the enemy of good is the old saying. I am not a fan of just ‘good’, but rather a believer in continual good improvements. I believe that will win out in the long run.?

What are your thoughts??

Thanks for reading today. This is not my usual 5x5 newsletter. It's from my weekly newsletter called 'Loud & Clear' with some expanded thoughts that I have. You can see the past editions and sign up for future ones here. https://road55.ca/newsletter/

Rob LeLacheur - Road 55