Explore how creative habits, when directed with this intention, can lead to extraordinary success.
Understand why some of the most intelligent creatives face challenges and how we can all turn old mid habits into fresh empowered opportunities every day.
When we talk about the power of being intentional, it’s understanding the job is to acknowledge and mine our unique quirks—whatever they are—to turn them into something that drives success. That's self-mastery in action.
I am pleased to report that according to my research, companies which prioritize creativity actually see a much bigger impact on their bottom line? A study by Adobe found that creative businesses tend to have a market share that’s 1.5 times larger than their less creative competitors. This just goes to show how crucial creativity can be in achieving extraordinary success.
Now, why do some of us face challenges, even when we’re full of brilliant ideas?
It’s often because of things like overthinking or striving for perfection. We might overanalyse things to the point where we can’t make a decision, which is actually more common among highly intelligent people. But here’s the good news: recognising these tendencies means we can start turning them into opportunities. For example, instead of letting perfectionism hold us back, we can use it to set high standards while also learning to take action even when things aren’t perfect.
Making decisions can be challenging, but by first understanding why we’re struggling, we can apply the right strategies to overcome indecision. Whether it’s simplifying options, setting a deadline, or practicing mindfulness, these solutions can help us make decisions with greater confidence and ease.
The goal isn’t to make the perfect decision every time, but to keep moving forward, learning, and growing with each choice we make.
When you find yourself unable to make a decision, the first and most important step is to understand why you’re stuck. Once you’ve identified the root cause, you can apply the right strategy to waste no time moving forward. Here’s a deeper dive into both identifying the reasons for indecision and practical solutions to help you break free from it.
Understanding the reasons behind our inability to make decisions is a crucial step towards overcoming indecision and moving forward with confidence. Let's delve deeper into some common causes that can leave us feeling stuck and explore how recognizing these factors can empower us to make clearer, more decisive choices.
When faced with too many options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. The abundance of choices can create a sense of paralysis, making it difficult to commit to just one path. This overload of information and possibilities can cause our minds to spin in circles, endlessly comparing and contrasting without reaching a conclusion. Acknowledging that having numerous options is contributing to your indecision can help you take steps to simplify your choices, perhaps by prioritizing what truly matters to you and eliminating less important alternatives.
Fear of making the wrong choice is another powerful barrier to decision-making. This fear often stems from worrying about potential negative outcomes or the judgment of others. It can create a mental roadblock where the risks of action seem to outweigh the benefits, even when the consequences aren't as dire as they appear. Recognizing this fear allows you to reframe your perspective, understanding that fucking around and finding out is a natural part of unavoidable personal development that we never outgrow—I hear even in the afterlife we are still learning shit. Taking action, even imperfectly, is better than remaining stagnant.
Flip a Coin (As a Last Resort): While it may seem simplistic, flipping a coin can sometimes reveal what you truly want. If you’re secretly hoping for one outcome over another as the coin is in the air, you’ve identified your choice.
Perfectionism plays a significant role in hindering decisions for many people highly skilled at what they do. The most passionate are the most ardent sufferers of this sweet but unhelpful state. The desire for everything to be absolutely perfect can fuel us; demanding that all be absolutely perfect can lead to endless tweaking, second-guessing and feedback seeking, preventing you from finalizing decisions and moving forward. By identifying perfectionism as the root cause, you can start practicing self-compassion and setting realistic standards for yourself. Embracing the idea that "good enough" is often sufficient can free you from the constant pursuit of an unattainable ideal and allow you to make decisions with greater ease and move onward with speed and energy.
Sometimes, a lack of sufficient information keeps us from deciding confidently. Not knowing all the details or understanding the full scope of a situation can make any choice feel risky. Recognizing this gap encourages proactive steps to gather the necessary information, consult knowledgeable sources, or seek advice, thus equipping you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.
Emotions also heavily influence our decision-making abilities. Feelings such as stress, anxiety, or even excitement can cloud judgment and lead to hesitation. Being aware that your current emotional state is affecting your ability to decide enables you to address these feelings directly. Techniques like Wim Hof to relax the mind and energize the body make the most of a short break. Alternatively a discussion with your AI chatbot can help clear your mind by organizing your thoughts and activate your decision-making capacity.
▼About Golden Rider
As you gaze upon the striking figure of the Golden Rider, enveloped in waves, I'd like to point out the significance of her hand gestures is intentional. Golden Rider, poised and regal, embodies both consistency and fluidity, a duality that is beautifully expressed through the mudras she holds.
In her right hand, the Prithvi Mudra—a gesture connecting the ring finger with the thumb—symbolizes the grounding energy of the earth. This mudra represents stability, strength, and the nurturing qualities of nature itself. Just as the earth provides a foundation for life to take root, thrive and bear fruit, the Prithvi Mudra activates for Golden Rider an energetic balance and resilience. Her golden form, reflecting the solidity and enduring nature of precious metals, is a testament to this unshakable grounding.
Meanwhile, in her left hand, the Varuna Mudra, created by joining the pinky finger with the thumb, channels the fluid, ever-changing essence of water. This mudra embodies emotional clarity, movement, and the nurturing flow of life. The Golden Rider, though solid and firm in her presence, also carries the grace and fluidity of water, capable among the waves of life while maintaining graceful equilibrium.
Together, these mudras capture the essence of masterful integration of the elements in her immediate environment though (see her eyes remain on her focus, which is not the waves). Like Golden Rider, we through these gestures, can prepare ourselves for more consistent peak performances. Our own habit becomes our portal to the perfection we'd love to see in our output. Our own intentional active cooperation and willingness to spend 16 minutes this way is the note that creates the harmony between stability and change, strength and grace. Golden Rider stands as a powerful reminder that within each of us lies the potential to cultivate both the steadfastness of the earth and the flowing resilience of water, allowing us to navigate life’s challenges with poise and confidence.
Right Hand - Ring Finger (4th) to Thumb: This position is known as the Prithvi Mudra. The Prithvi Mudra, or Earth Mudra, is associated with grounding and stability. It is believed to help increase vitality and reduce physical and mental weakness.
Left Hand - Pinky Finger to Thumb: This position is known as the Varuna Mudra. The Varuna Mudra, or Water Mudra, is connected with balancing the water element in the body. It is often used to improve hydration and maintain emotional balance.
These mudras, when practiced together, can symbolize a balance between the elements of earth and water, promoting stability and emotional fluidity.
▼More about preparing for creative sessions with intentional time dedicated to relaxing with this ancient technique
A Simple Guide to Mudras: Balancing Earth and Water Elements
Mudras are symbolic hand gestures used in yoga and meditation practices to influence energy flow within the body and mind. The word "mudra" comes from Sanskrit, meaning "seal" or "gesture," and these hand positions are often referred to as "yoga for the hands." The beauty of mudras lies in their simplicity and accessibility—you don’t need any prior experience or special training to benefit from them. By simply positioning your fingers in specific ways, you can harness the subtle energies within you to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Prithvi Mudra (Earth Mudra) - Right Hand
To practice the Prithvi Mudra, gently press the tip of your ring finger (4th finger) to the tip of your thumb while keeping the other fingers extended. This mudra is associated with grounding and stability, much like the element of earth it represents. By practicing Prithvi Mudra, you may experience an increase in vitality and a reduction in physical and mental weakness. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture to help you feel more rooted and connected to the world around you.
Varuna Mudra (Water Mudra) - Left Hand
The Varuna Mudra is performed by pressing the tip of your pinky finger (little finger) to the tip of your thumb, with the other fingers extended. This mudra symbolizes the water element, which is closely linked to fluidity, hydration, and emotional balance. Practicing Varuna Mudra can help you maintain proper hydration levels and manage your emotions more effectively, promoting a sense of calm and emotional clarity.
Balancing Earth and Water
When practiced together, these mudras create a harmonious balance between the grounding energy of earth and the flowing energy of water. This combination can help you achieve a sense of stability while also encouraging emotional fluidity. Whether you’re feeling scattered or overwhelmed, incorporating these mudras into your daily routine can bring a gentle, soothing energy into your life, helping you navigate challenges with grace and resilience.
The grace of mudras lies in their simplicity. You just your hands and a few moments of mindless practice. As you explore these comfortable gestures, allow yourself to tune into the subtle shifts in your energy and notice how they affect your overall well-being within minutes with long lasting effects (your mileage may vary).
By thoughtfully exploring and understanding these underlying causes of indecision, you empower yourself to address them directly. This self-awareness is the first step towards developing strategies and habits that support confident and effective decision-making, transforming moments of uncertainty into opportunities for growth and progress.
Recognizing when you’re overthinking can be a game-changer, especially for creatives who often find themselves caught in the web of their thoughts. Here are three ways to identify when you might be overthinking, followed by some practical habits anyone could adopt to break free from this cycle.
Recognizing when you're overthinking is not about identifying a flaw; it's about discovering an opportunity to harness your brilliant mind in ways that empower you. Imagine being able to turn what feels like a mental roadblock into a powerful engine for creativity and progress. This isn't just possible—it's within your reach. Acknowledge it, own it and onward.
You may start by noticing when you’re stuck in a loop of thoughts, circling the same idea over and over without moving forward. This isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s your mind’s way of telling you that you've already exhausted the terrain; it’s time to pause, breathe, and take a step back. Overthinking often masquerades as thoroughness, but it can lead to unnecessary delays in bringing your ideas to life. If you find yourself hesitating over a decision, remember: it’s better to take an imperfect step than to remain frozen by the fear of making the wrong choice.
Now, let’s talk about setting yourself free from this cycle. One powerful habit you can develop is giving yourself a set amount of time to make decisions. Picture this: the next time you're choosing a color palette for a project or deciding on the direction of a piece of work, set a timer. Tell yourself, "In 30 minutes, I will have made my decision." This practice isn’t just about being decisive; it’s about learning to trust your instincts, recognizing that your first thought is often as valid as your fiftieth.
Another transformative habit is embracing the “good enough” mindset. Perfectionism can be a creative’s greatest asset and their biggest hurdle. Instead of waiting for everything to be flawless, challenge yourself to set a limit on revisions. Imagine you’re working on a painting or a piece of music—after three rounds of tweaks, it’s time to let it go, to share it with the world or to move on to your next creation. This isn't about settling; it’s about recognizing when something is truly complete, even if it doesn’t feel perfect.
And finally, there’s the magic of starting your day with a "creation first" ritual. Picture yourself sitting down every morning for a short, 15-minute burst of creativity, where the only rule is to create without judgment. Whether it’s sketching, wouldn't it be nice if journaling, or brain-dumping, this time is sacred. It’s a commitment to yourself that this creative action comes first; these are ways to prime your next immediate creative output. By prioritizing creation over rumination, you’ll find that overthinking starts to fade, replaced by the joy of seeing your ideas come to life.
We can frame it like this: overthinking isn’t a problem—it’s a sign of your incredible depth and thoughtfulness. With the right habits, you can turn it into a superpower, one that fuels your creativity and propels you toward your goals. Any time you observe a spiral into overthinking, know that it’s just a clear invitation to shift into gear and apply this way of working that results progress and embraces the opportunity to leverage the energy from old habits into new directions.
Finally, it’s all about having a positive outlook. When we embrace our traits—like our attention to detail or our deep thinking—and learn how to direct them in ways that support our growth, we can truly transform our personal and professional lives. Research by Carol Dweck on growth mindsets is a perfect example of this. She found that those of us who see challenges as opportunities are more likely to achieve success. It’s all about shifting our perspective and using our unique traits to our advantage.
