Feeling stuck? Using the same melody won't give you a new song

Finding success in India's music industry is not a small feat, but that doesn't stop my friend who has been training ever since she knew how to talk. With the pandemic upon us, she had to reinvent her strategy. She now writes her own songs sometimes and performs virtually for covid relief. She not only sings but also plays the piano, harmonium and sitar!!

Whoooaaaa quite a talent!. 

Despite her love and confidence in the art, nothing makes her more anxious than the jam sessions. She needs to know the plan beforehand then play one part at a time. She thrives within a system. And then worries why things didn't go differently.

I always tell her to try something new and be ready to fail. Because theoretically, taking chances does lead to a breakthrough "sometimes ;)".

Of course, it is easier said than done!

And it got me thinking, we in our professional lives are set in a system. It sometimes does feel mechanical to approach a problem in standard ways and those steps that we are supposed to follow. But why do we expect different results ?

We want to be innovative while working in the same old way that feel comfortable and cozy.

We may think that we are solving their problems creatively but then rely on the same system which feels safe. The system gives clarity but then it also limits our ability to innovate.

For example, viewing series after series on Netflix and then fretting about not reading the book that was supposed to change our lives!! My heart of goes to the heartbroken GoT lovers who waited eagerly for the last season just to get more disappointed.

Just like that, while approaching a problem, being structured makes it easy and formalised but things may not move ahead. Let's look at a few quick tips we could do to address this :

1. Get help!

People with different backgrounds look at things differently. You might end up solving a problem in a way you haven't before. We do end up in cyclical motion thinking about the same issue again and again as if the solution is going to churn up somehow. But I am sure if we look around, there are people so much smarter and experienced who may have the solution at the tip of their tongue. We just need to ask sometimes

2. Push yourself!

Do the complete opposite and see what the result looks like. At least think through a few scenarios that may not feel like your comfort zone and pick up the one that concerns you the least. You may surprise yourself.

3. Imagine doing it for someone else!

Sometimes when we remove ourselves from the situation, we tend to see the bigger picture and are willing to take bigger risks. More of then than not the thought of delivering something for someone else seems to push us harder.

4. Don't just visualise it! Sketch, draw or write

Storyboarding is a powerful tool and a well known method of visualising a project or a problem. It helps to see clearly through those hidden assumptions and we start seeing some questions that we would never think of in the normal scheme of things.  

Going against our fundamental characters can be risky but rewarding as well. But taking chances is important to grow as an individual and as a professional.

Try out and let me know how it goes :). Learning from others is something I look forward to.

Reach out to me on Linkedin or [email protected] to find ways to grow together.

Thanks Mallika Kohli linkedin.com/in/mallikakohli for the support.