Structure. Discipline. Creativity. Freedom.

Some 20+ years ago, while trying to explain and communicate the link between the act of practicing a musical instrument and creative freedom, I developed the following process path:

Structure. Discipline. Creativity. Freedom.

Structure creates discipline - a framework brings the abstract closer to reality and enables us to focus on the tangible.

Discipline doesn’t mean rigidity - discipline is too often associated with severity or punishment. All discipline means really means is having the wherewithal to do the right thing most/all the time.

Discipline leads to creativity - doing the right thing most/all of the time enables one to stretch and to realize new ideas. It helps to see new linkages and connections, and to meet challenges and opportunities in new ways.

Creativity leads to Freedom - freedom, in this instance, means the ability to keep doing something that makes you happy, whatever the endeavor.

Freedom could mean having having customers that are fierce advocates for you and sources of new product/service ideas, new customers, and the kind of feedback that only a loyal customer can give us when we need it the most.

Freedom could mean having employees that are focused on helping customers become fiercely loyal.

Freedom could mean you enjoying the benefits of the type of customers and employees described above.

Who wouldn't want that?