Operating from the “creative” side of my personality, I remember having a hard time starting, building or creating things. I think two reasons, first when I would understand and see how to build it, I would lose interest, my curiosity, energy, excitement and motivation for the idea would dissipate. Second, I think maybe because in my head, while it’s in my head, the idea is perfect, it’s untainted. It can’t be questioned, criticized, exposed of all its faults, mistakes and imperfections. Maybe third or related to the second, always waiting for the “perfect” idea to build and ship.
So I began to see some negative consequences start build up because of this mindset, I had more ideas than output or product, basically I had an abundance of ideas with nothing to show for it. Without ever going through the process of starting and building things or starting and not finishing, I was losing valuable experience and learning the process of creation. I was missing the opportunity for feedback and developing my ability to communicate and articulate my work. I was avoiding failure and criticism, which in turn only protected my Ego and prevented me from learning and embracing humility.
I realized anyone and everyone can have ideas, it’s like criticism anyone can complain or point out things but the real work and speciality is seeing solutions and acting on it. The same thing, anyone can have ideas but the blood, sweat and tears is bringing that idea to life. The real intrinsic value isn’t the product or output, it’s the person created through the process of bringing an idea to life.
So what did I do? I decided to put into action on all my ideas. I have a sketchbook, that I throw down all my ideas. Good or bad. Possible or impossible. I might not be able to act on them immediately but if I create the action to write them in my sketchbook than that’s where the live, and I’ve already brought them to life. It’s not a green light or red light that I will go through with them, but at least I’ve put them in a place that allows for more thought and development. Because sometimes, I’ve found a lot of ideas I didn’t have the knowledge, insight or experience to even get started until years later. I guess the difference here is that, previously I felt finished or satisfied with just the thought of an idea and it could just end there. Now here, I see ideas as unfinished, undelivered momentum toward a final deliverable.