The Secret to Consistent Quality?

I'm currently at a HUGE convention in Las Vegas!

But that's not what this post is about…

It’s about the individual steps it took to get here—fully prepared and ready to work.

I’m on the production team doing video editing and media management at Subway Restaurant’s 2024 Global Convention.

But getting here got me thinking about an important lesson…

When you travel for work as often as I do:

You develop a process.

A specific, ordered approach to prepare for your upcoming trip:

• Pick up last minute items you need from the store.

• Do a load of laundry.

• Check in for your flight.

• Prep any work documents and equipment.

• Pack clothes, medicine, toiletries, snacks, & gear.

I actually have a “Work Trip: Time to Pack!” checklist template in Notion.

I use it on every trip—making me confident the essentials are taken care of.

But a structured approach like this isn’t only beneficial for work trips..

Developing a process is crucial for consistent creative output and quality.

Unpacking the Creative Process

There’s a common misconception that creativity is spontaneous.

But have you noticed how successful creators seem to be able to put out high quality content on a regular basis?

It’s because they have a system! A structured approach and workflow.

As a real-world example, consider the creative process a YouTuber goes through:

1. Come up with a video idea that’s relevant to their audience

2. Create a few potential title and thumbnail combos

3. Write the video script

4. Film the "talking head" on-camera narration parts of the script—aka the A-Roll

5. Film any necessary B-Roll (extra footage to help tell the story)

6. Complete the full video editing process and export the video

7. Write the description and upload it to YouTube

The ending result?

“Wow, you are sooooo creative!”

And remember: That’s just a simple high-level view. Each task above can be broken down into more specific steps…

Here’s what it might look like for video editing:

1. Edit the narration/story

2. Level & clean up the audio

3. Find & add background music

4. Add B-Roll, stock footage, titles, and motion graphics

5. Review and make any final tweaks

6. Export the video

But you don’t have to stop there: Each of these steps can also be broken down into their own process.

A System Leads to Consistency

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” — James Clear, Atomic Habits

Consistency matters.

I wouldn’t have made it as a creative professional if I didn’t develop systems and processes.

I wouldn’t be at this convention right now.

I wouldn’t have this newsletter.

This is the benefit of a step by step creative process that covers the essentials.

It leaves room for your creativity and curiosity to flourish.

Your Turn

If you’re struggling to consistently produce content:

Analyze your current creative workflow. Put it under a microscope.

Ask yourself questions like:

• What are the essential steps in my creative process?

• Where in my process can I create a template or checklist?

• Do I have a specific structure or framework for my writing or videos?

• Do I approach each video’s editing process in a specific order?

• Does any part of my process feel directionless or chaotic?

Remember: Having systems in place doesn’t mean being rigid and uncreative. You can and will adjust things as you learn and grow.

So do yourself a favor:

Develop systems. Create checklists. Build frameworks.

Make your creative process easier.

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