387: Think8 - How to Ignite Your Creative Spark and Maximize Entrepreneurial Potential with Mark Shekter

Show Notes

Mark initially started out on the path to becoming a lawyer but discovered a passion for writing and composing.  He took a leap and transitioned to the entertainment industry and quickly became on one of top writers in Hollywood.  But, even with all his success, something was missing and eating at him.  He felt a calling to explore a different path and took a seven-year sabbatical traveling the world.  During his sabbatical, Mark studied philosophy, religion, and different cultures, gaining a broader perspective on life.  This led him to find a deeper purpose and he found that purpose in a new system of creative thinking he called Think8.  Think8 are the eight principles for unlocking creative potential which he now teaches and consults on throughout the world.

What is the state of creativity?

There are a lot of abundant tools for creativity yet a potential lack of initiative from individuals in the world today.

There is a difference between AI tools like ChatGPT and individual creative initiative.  Those tools are useful to aid the creative process, but cannot be relied solely upon for it.

Part of the manual creative process has to remain intact as the magic comes from individual thinking and ideation.

How does someone tap into their creativity and innovation?

People must understand the connection between purpose and unlocking creative potential.

Finding that passionate reason that is beyond financial gain is the catalyst for true creativity.  It creates that burning desire to innovate and create opportunity.

There is an innate capacity for unlimited creativity in individuals, but many times it is blocked by self-imposed limitations.  If you can understand that these limitations are just that – self-imposed, and work to remove them, it will unlock a whole new world for you.

The magic that occurs when purpose aligns with creativity.  Purpose gives direction and activates creativity.  Once there's a mission, creativity emerges to figure out how to achieve it.

Talk to us about Think 8 and the 8-step scale.  Take us through your process and explain it.

The eight steps help individuals unlock their creative reservoir by asking unconventional questions.

We go in depth on this, so it is great to just listen if you can.

First Four Steps (Who)

Purpose: Determine your motivation and impassioned desire to create.

Message: Define your core belief or fundamental principle that you will build upon.

Tone: How will you emotional connect with others to inspire them to your purpose?

Character: Being true to yourself through authenticity, transparency, and sharing your worldview.

The Second Four Steps (What and How):

Content: It goes beyond what you offer to the value and benefit it brings.

Structure: How you organize from ideation to delivery and response.

Aesthetics and Impact (Threshold and Endpoint):  Consistency in branding, logo, and physical manifestation.

Impact: The endpoint, measuring the success metric and avoiding small thinking.

It is important to self-reflect throughout the process.  People should ask:

What they truly value and dream of.

Why they haven't pursued those aspirations.

If anyone in authority has discouraged or implied that their goals are unattainable.

Businesses and executives often face challenges and plateaus.  Alignment with personal values and purpose creates magic in the business environment.

Mark goes on to talk about knowing self…

“Knowing oneself and aligning with business purpose creates a powerful synergy.”

Aligning purpose leads to a natural flow and ease in business activities.

What are some of the best lessons learned from your time in entertainment?

Trust is fundamental in the entertainment industry, where success is visible and failure immediate.

Managing risk involves understanding that entrepreneurship is inherently linked to creativity.

Creatives must create ideas, pitch, finance, produce, post-produce, and distribute—akin to entrepreneurship.

The greats are true studiers of their craft.  They almost obsess over it.  People like Jim Carrey, Steve Martin, Elton John, and others are truly special in how much they devote to being the best at what they do.  You see the same thing in entrepreneurship.