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.

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.

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.