Building Momentum Through Discovery

Part II of the Unraveling the Creative Process series

Last week, I wrote about the inception of creative visions. This week, we’re deep-diving into the role of curiosity, the power of commitment, and the journey of discovery. If you’re just getting here, this is a multi-part series, start by reading ‘How to Become a Vessel for a Vision.’

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When we talk about a vision, we often describe it in abstract terms—grand, ambitious, and vibrating with potential. While these qualities are true, they can only remain abstract for so long if the goal is to make an impact. The role of the creative conduit is to take this big thing and create momentum by giving it purpose, direction, constraints, and resources. 

Simply put, a vision doesn’t have manifestation powers of its own, which is why it needs you.

At this stage, the task is negotiating terms and beginning the exploration process. So much is unknown that it would not be wise to be impulsive or decide exactly what this vision should or could become. So we must engage with it by being deeply curious, as we might with a new friend or love interest. There’s something playful about this part of the dance—it gives us space to ask questions, even if they are ‘Why me’ or ‘Why now?’

Without curiosity, we may think we already have all the answers. We may have experience, skills, or even passion, but the job to be done is for the creator to go out into the world (or explore their internal world) and collect the pieces of the puzzle that may help bring some order to this nebulous thing. There will be way more questions than answers, and that is by design. 

All the great artists of history would tell you that when they look at a blank canvas, an empty space, or a marble slab, they see and feel the potential of what it might become. This ability is only unlocked by curiosity, without which we may only see directly what is right in front of us. Entrepreneurs embark on a similar journey that requires seeing the potential in what doesn’t yet exist. They observe the macro ecosystem, notice gaps, problems, and opportunities, or perhaps identify a different way of doing something and connect the dots to build something new.

This is the work of all innovators and change-makers: to perceive and believe in the intangible. It is not for the easily deterred; it requires grit, bravery, and a willingness to surrender to the unknown.

When we surrender to the creative process and remain curious rather than fearful, the vision will guide us to people, places, and things we may never have encountered otherwise. This is precisely why surrender is essential. Surrender doesn’t mean giving in, letting go, or sitting back—it simply means acknowledging, accepting, and fully aligning with the reality that we are not in control of what happens. Do we have some control? Yes, but mostly over how we receive and respond to the events and experiences we confront. This is true for the creative process as it is for life (which is its own creative process, but that’s another essay series for another time). 

The dance of relentless curiosity will eventually lead to negotiation, where you wrestle with the vision, assess its feasibility and potential impact, and determine your readiness to commit to bringing it to life.

This is where all the internalized doubt, fear, and insecurity will rush to the surface to meet us face-to-face. Can I do this? I don’t have the time. I don’t have the money. How will I start? Does anyone even care? I’m unsure if I’m the right person to build this thing. I don’t have the skills to make this work. It didn't go well the last time I tried something like this. On and on and on. 

The internal monologue deserves to be documented, as it reveals the very thoughts that keep us from living in alignment with our dreams. When we negotiate with ourselves—our inner conflicts, beliefs, and everything we quietly (or loudly) think about ourselves and the world—become exposed, which can be a harsh reality. Parenting a vision is a tremendous responsibility, demanding resources we may not always have (access to). Sometimes, the painful truth we must accept is that while we may have the potential to do something extraordinary, we might not have the capacity to see it through.

It’s important to remember that we always have a choice—not just in whether we pursue something but also in how we do so, who we do it with, how long it takes, and what our role might be. It’s not a contract that can’t be broken, but as all great things do, it requires commitment and patience. 

In the negotiation phase, we’re not deciding the ultimate fate of this vision, we’re simply deciding whether we’re curious enough to make some initial discovery and determine what resources are required to continue. This is when we start to move from imagination to reality because the nature of our existence is limited. Some of us have more time, money, support, etc., but ultimately, we all have some type of limitation we must work within. 

Limitations are not inherently bad, they just don’t feel great. It would be much easier if we had unlimited time and money to bring our visions to life, but most of us don’t, and those who have more than the average face other limitations—like pleasing their fans or shareholders. The physical world has limits, and if we can learn to work within ours—or bend them—we can achieve more than we might think is possible. 

Before we commit to discovery, we should ask some very important questions: "Am I curious enough about this seed of a vision to explore it fully? What will it take to see this through? What resources do I have? And is the potential impact worth the effort?"

Once these questions have been answered, and if the creative conduit wants to commit to continuing the process, an agreement is officially formed. 

The discovery process is different depending on the field or focus of the creative. Artists may immerse themselves in nature, visit galleries, or experiment with different mediums. Entrepreneurs might interview potential customers, analyze market trends, and talk to mentors—discovery simply means that you acknowledge that you don’t know what you don’t know, but you do know that there’s something to be uncovered and learned. 

The desire to explore and the willingness to take risks sets off a powerful and intimate journey, where the research becomes as intriguing as the potential outcome. If we allow it, we might uncover something entirely unexpected in this phase. We could start by thinking we're heading in one direction, only to realize the real path is elsewhere. While many folks believe the most transformative part of the creative process is when the vision starts to take shape, I've found that discovery is where the most profound personal transformation happens. It’s the stage where our beliefs, principles, and expectations are challenged in ways we never anticipated, creating an environment where we grow and evolve just as much—if not more—than the vision itself, especially when this process is shared with others.

Many skip this phase, and many don’t make it to the next.

Why?

Because research is inherently uncomfortable. It’s tedious. It’s laborious. It’s expensive. And sometimes, it feels like it’s leading to nowhere. It’s the most chaotic and unpredictable part of the process, yet it is absolutely essential to the vision’s natural evolution. Think of your vision as an alien entity discovering the physical realm for the first time—it doesn’t need you to dictate what’s best; it needs to work through you to explore the most authentic path to manifestation. In short, your job is to get out of the way by creating the way.

‘The way’ starts out as a vast container of possibilities and gradually narrows as you gain more insight until, eventually, a clear path emerges. You can try to rush this process—many do, especially in startup land—but you will return, again and again, to confront what you didn’t know or understand. If resources allow, it's best to give this phase the spaciousness it needs while maintaining momentum. Artists are generally great at this, taking the time to explore both the breadth and depth of an idea, while entrepreneurs, often driven by urgency, have to learn how to balance speed with patience and intentionality. They can learn a lot from one another—there's power in striking while the iron is hot, but there’s also wisdom in allowing clarity to emerge in its own time—both approaches have their own strengths and trade-offs, but when these forces combine, they form a potent synergy that transforms potential into reality.

I’ve mentioned several times that the creative process isn’t for everyone. To share a more nuanced perspective, each stage of creation needs something different from us: unique attributes, skills, and leadership styles. When collaborating or co-creating, timing matters just as much as the roles people play. While some people are energized by the unknown, others push for quick, decisive action, even if it compromises depth. 

This matters because, in its early stages, a vision is fragile—dependent, easily influenced, and requires protection. This isn’t at odds with surrender, though. As creators, our job is to surrender and serve the vision. That means understanding where it is in its evolution and guiding it with care and intention so it can fully transform. Sometimes, this requires us to be selective about whom we let into the process and when. 

How do you know when discovery is complete? Can’t research go on indefinitely? Isn’t it generally a continuous thing, not a one-and-done stage?

Discovery is not and cannot be a forever process. While research is evergreen because there’s always something new to learn, it evolves over time and integrates into the different stages of the creative process. Sometimes, discovery ends simply because it must—you’ve run out of patience, time, or resources, and a decision needs to be made. But drawing a line in the sand doesn’t mean the vision stops expanding or evolving. The vision may split, like a cell dividing from its nucleus, allowing you to bring a piece of it to life while other possibilities continue their journey, manifesting through different paths or people. Or, the vision takes shape in its first state, a prototype that will continue to evolve and express itself in new ways over time, gaining direction and purpose with every iteration.

The creative conduit’s role is to design a sandbox for the discovery phase. It’s important to balance structure with flow and provide the necessary guardrails to guide the vision and ensure continuity. The sandbox will be different for each type of discovery journey, and many templates, methodologies, and frameworks exist to support the creator during this phase (you don’t have to start from scratch). The product-builder defines a set of hypotheses based on initial observations and insights. The visual artist immerses themselves in experimentation—playing with textures, colours, and forms. The storyteller dives into character development, observing the world, and weaving elements of reality and imagination to shape an experience. 

Some can afford more flow than structure, and others need more rigid timelines and guideposts to make decisions, but ultimately, everyone in this process is trying to get to the same place: uncovering a clear story, problem, or solution worth pursuing. 

When I co-founded Reset, the digital detox platform focused on enhancing social health through connection, community, and play, it was everything for everyone. It lacked a clear identity and roadmap; it was more of a mix of ideas and potential than a fully defined vision. Over the course of 9.5 years, through different leadership, iterations, and refinements, Reset has evolved into something more focused, deliberate, and less malleable. It’s no longer for anyone—it’s shed some aspects, gained others, and matured into its truest form.

This isn’t to say that it won’t experience many more evolutions—it will, as all creative endeavours and living things do. But time inevitably shapes possibility. The realities of resources, or lack thereof, push us toward decisions; culture shifts, the market changes, new trends and competitors emerge, and society and consumer needs evolve. While the discovery phase is revisited often, it naturally takes up less space due to the constraints and demands of reality. 

Every creative process is, first and foremost, an experiment. No matter how far you make it in the journey, there are no guarantees that this thing will work or last. I’ll share more about this in the coming weeks, but it’s important to note that the manifestation of the vision can end at any point, no matter how much time, effort, and resources have gone into it. Many might consider this as a failure, but the truth is, in the grand scheme of life and creation, it’s just another part of the process.

We don’t opt into the creative process to win, we opt-in to learn. 

This is why the discovery process is so sacred—it teaches us more about ourselves than any classroom ever could. So stay with it. Swim in its depth. The process is the way. The uncertainty is temporary. The questions will eventually become answers, and when they do, you’ll miss them. Enjoy exploring. Search endlessly, while you can, for all the things already out there in the world, waiting for you to bring them home to a place where they can connect and interact and merge into something new. Allow it. Even when it gets uncomfortable or demanding. Allow it to change you and be changed by you. Seek to unearth, understand, and bring forth the story that wants to be told. Be in service to the vision that wants to manifest through you. 

Next week, we’ll explore Part II of Unraveling the Creative Process. Until then. 

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