How a simple "no" sparked a creative idea!

Published about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader,

Yesterday, this photo popped up in my memories and made me smile.

This is my son's first "cell phone."

At eight or nine, he really wanted a real one, claiming all his friends had one.

Sadly for him, having an Indian mom it didn't work out for him – until he got to 8th grade, but that is another story.

So he took matters into his own hands and crafted one exactly how he wanted.

It had all the essentials: a speed dial to connect with my husband and me and, of course, a line to J.M. Judy Moody, his favorite author at the time.

And, a games app was a must for any leisure time.

I realized that by saying no, it sparked creativity in him.

This experience, seemingly small, unfolds these lessons for entrepreneurs:

⇨ 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Sometimes, not getting what we want immediately can spark the most creative solutions.

⇨ 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Allowing ourselves the space to think differently can lead to discoveries we never imagined.

⇨ 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: A mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities can transform how we approach problems.

What do you think?
Have you turned a "no" into an opportunity for growth?

Hit replay and share your thoughts!

xo,

Alpana

P.S. Check out this Harvard Business School article on creative problem-solving. While several tools are listed, my favorite one here is hands-down brainstorming.

The Secret Sauce is Your Story

Alpana Aras | Brand Storyteller + Photographer

Become a confident storyteller for your brand to stand out and sell more. I'm a Visual Brand Coach and Award-Winning Photographer (featured in NY Times, Instagram, Apple). I help badass women entrepreneurs own their stories, showcase their uniqueness, and create brands that are downright magical. Ready to make your brand sizzle? Get your hands on my free brand guide packed with five essential ingredients to create an unforgettable brand experience.

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