Keeping your finger on the creative pulse.

Here's my list of five points to follow to get through this challenge and not lose your temper or your client in the process; to come out the other end wiser and wealthier in substance and spirit:

1. Try to consider the suggested changes and your client objectively. Are the changes based on the client's more intimate knowledge of their business? Or, do they appear to be the client's ego-based efforts to be part of the creative process? You don't have to take changes literally on face value - and you don't have to react to them immediately. Tell the client that they have brought up some interesting issues and go away for awhile to consider them in calm. I like to take a walk and lots of deep breaths. Be willing to argue for a good creative idea, but write down your reasons to avoid lapsing into an emotional battle when you discuss things with your client.

2. Do the changes improve the message or dilute it? What I do to stay objective is to stick to the message, the process, and not focus on the form - how the message is being communicated. This applies to design, writing, music, photography, illustration, and a wide range of creative forms. The objective of the creation is always to communicate something - usually a product, service or image. Your best position as a creative person is as the expert interpreter of how well the creation communicates the message - stick with that and you avoid ego battles.

3. Can you work with the client's suggestions and come up with an even better idea? It's worth considering...go back to the drawing board and give it a go.

4. Play to your audience. As a creative person, your ideas may be far ahead of your time and the ability of the general population to "get it." Save those ideas and work for your personal work - it's expected that fine art is ahead of its time. Commercial work is a different matter. You have to communicate to the greatest number of people. This is an even greater challenge. But look at it this way, the world's most enlightened masters taught so that their words held valuable meaning to every person in their audience, from the simplest simpleton to the most advanced soul.

5. Let go of judgement and be willing to learn - Give up right and wrong for just a moment and look at the situation again. Take a deep breath and listen to what's behind the client's words. Sometimes the universe sends you important messages or lessons wrapped in the strangest packages. Maybe the client is saying something you really need to hear about this project or something else going on in your life; is there a deeper meaning to this situation? Right and wrong polarize your thinking, and it hinders your ability to find a creative solution to what appears to be a conflict of opinion or direction. Listen. Really listen. Look for common ground instead of differences.

Good luck. In the final analysis, you can say, "it's my idea, or creation, or whatever, and I can do what I want with it." Or, you can say, "I'm a hollow reed, and creative energy is using me to bring this idea into form...am I doing my best to allow that energy to express in this time and place."

You pick.