As a child, I spent a lot of time on my grandparents' 240-acre farm in southern Illinois—often in and around the old barns and chicken houses. 

I have always thought "starting from scratch" meant making something out of little or nothing, like chickens scratching in the yard searching for food or my grandparents cooking a meal from a few basic ingredients.

However, the phrase actually dates back to the late 1700s and refers to a line or mark drawn as a boundary or starting point. Like in a race or a boxing match, the scratch line marked the start of the competition.

As creatives, we often pride ourselves on our ability to create something from nothing.

However, just as successful athletes train long before the starting line, we create innovative and successful ideas based on what we bring to the starting point. 

So, what are the essential ingredients for a strong start?

1. Curiosity.

As a designer, each client and industry presents a new challenge.

The key to success is to approach each project with a curious mind. Observing carefully, asking insightful questions, and immersing yourself in the subject at hand will lead to better results.

In fact, not having deep expertise in a topic can be an advantage, as it allows you to identify what others may miss due to their familiarity.

2. Broad interests.

Creativity is seeing the world in new ways and making connections between seemingly disparate ideas. To do this, we must have a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw from. 

The more you immerse yourself in a wide range of subjects and disciplines, the more valuable and effective your work will be. 

A recent study comparing all Nobel Prize winners in science to typical scientists of the same era showed scientists with broad hobbies and interests were significantly more like to win the prize. An active interest in music correlated with a 2x greater chance. An active interest in art increased the odds by 7x while performing had a 22x effect. 

For creative people, starting from scratch isn't making do with what you have but rather what you bring to the starting line.