In the creative process, it's vital to know exactly what You want to create. There can be so many different voices in our heads, telling us what we should & shouldn't do, but the voice that's most important is Our own. It's hard at times to separate which is which, but I do attempt to make a concerted effort to create with pure intentions & that yields the best results.
What I do first is ask myself why I'm making something. Is this to please other people, or myself? For this to be a positive experience, I need to ensure that I'm creating for the right reasons. Of course, there are times when I have to consider the opinions of others, like when I have to create a custom order to a customer's liking, but I still have to put the same amount of care into it as I would personal projects.
Otherwise, I need to consider how much I enjoy what I'm making for myself. I should feel that buzz of excitement when I get an idea in my mind, & that drives me to complete the project. this feeling doesn't come from trying to impress others, it comes from wanting to live up to my own potential.
I ask myself questions all along the way. Do I like this color? Do I like this style? What makes it more me? Answering questions like these will take me down a road of self-discovery where I create something from personal intention. The results are more organic this way rather than being overly concerned about what someone else would do.
Art is taking risks that come from a personal preference. There's no sense in trying to be like anybody else, because if you try to do that, it won’t lead to You. It's better to create for Yourself & You do that by knowing your style & your truth.