Ever felt like you have to stick to one perfect plan and ignore all your other cool ideas?
Me too. I used to think I had to pick just one project and ditch the rest. But what if starting many ideas—even if you don’t finish them all—is the secret sauce to true creativity?
The year is 1481. A 29-year-old Leonardo da Vinci (yes, that one) was commissioned to paint The Adoration of the Magi. But halfway through, he left it unfinished.
Leonardo was the king of jumping from one project to another. He didn’t see unfinished work as failure—he saw it as part of the process. His curiosity made him the genius we still fangirl over today.
As creators, we're like kids in a candy store—so many ideas, so little time. But sometimes, we tell ourselves, “If I try to do everything, I won’t do anything well.” This kind of thinking is like putting our creativity in a straitjacket.
Ever ditched a fun idea because you were too busy being “focused”? Yeah, me too. It’s like being at an all-you-can-eat buffet but only eating breadsticks.
Here’s a wild thought: embrace slow multitasking. Instead of chaining yourself to one project, let yourself hop between them.
Give this a whirl:
- Start many projects: Don’t stress about finishing them all. Leonardo didn’t.
- Rotate focus: When one idea gets dull, switch gears.
- Learn from each: Every half-baked idea teaches you something… like why cakes need baking powder.
By playing the field with your projects, you become a more balanced and, dare I say, happier creator.
Why do we think we must finish every project? Is it fear of failure or a belief that only one project matters?
Imagine if every idea you started was a chance to learn something new. What if your best work comes from trying many things, not just one?
As a creator, you’re meant to explore many ideas. The notion that you must finish everything is just a party pooper. The best creators dabble, stumble, and grow.
Your Move: Today, revive an old idea. Give it a shot—no pressure, no perfectionism. Just play. Who knows?
You might make your own Mona Lisa… or at least something that will make you smile!
