This week I’d like to discuss protecting your creative process.

I feel this is something that isn’t spoken about enough because people confuse lack of sharing their process as gatekeeping.

I touch on this subject during the MML Interview with Dave Noodlez on the TYPE88 Show because intellectual property & creative processes can impact someone’s mental health if not protected properly.

I feel when you’re a creative in any aspect, there’s truly no limit to doing the Lord’s work.

As you steady your course & consistently provide a service or product that you share with integrity & pure intention it’s easy to become protective of your process against those who watch to steal it.

With the internet being so vast, it’s easy for people to think your work or style can become theirs.

To help protect your creative process I suggest the following:

• KEEP YOUR IDEAS TO YOURSELF.

• CREATE & MAINTAIN A PAPER TRAIL.

• COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, OR PATENT YOUR IDEAS.

• BE MINDFUL OF ANY PEOPLE OR COMPANIES YOU DECIDE TO PARTNER WITH.

• ESTABLISH YOUR MARKET.

• FOLLOW YOUR GUT.

These 6 tips can be extremely helpful in protecting your creative process as long as your process operates in integrity.

Spiritual protection is also another way to protect yourself.

I think with the internet a lot of people’s integrity have been compromised because they’re so busy trying to mimic what they see/ hear instead of operating in originality.

The influence craze has made people lose parts of themselves in many ways in order to fit in which has hindered a lot of creative processes because again… originality lacks.

There’s a major difference between inspiring someone & influencing them.

Sometimes I’m reminded that this comes with the territory of leadership & I try my best to keep that in mind but if anyone has learned something from me or wants to emulate me that badly, then let it be of originality.

My goal has always been to inspire others with my words & actions while they forge their own unique path but I’d be lying if I didn’t say how easy it is to point out who I’ve influenced over the years.

When you lack integrity it’s very telling, your work will display that sloppiness & carelessness even when you think it won’t.

Integrity requires inner strength for yourself & your ideas, it requires trustworthiness & being truthful, it requires acting justly & honorable, & most importantly, it requires consistency.

People often imitate others & the one thing that sets them apart is their inability to be consistent in their approach.

I guess when you duplicate anything it’s hard to be consistent with it being that was never your original idea…

All in all, protecting your creative process should always involve being integral because blessings stick around longer when you show up authentically.

⁃ MML