Hey! Don’t steal my ideas.
Words from a recovering idea hoarder.
I used to be an idea hoarder.
Everyone knows someone who hoards things. Sentimental notes from a high school crush, trinkets from that Southeast Asia booze trip in 2008, or a childhood bedroom kept pristine by a parent awaiting your return home for the Christmas holidays.
That was me. But with ideas.
I wouldn’t share my ideas, or if I did, it would be with a trusted few. Some ideas came into reality; many didn’t.
My mind was filled with ideas; it became stagnant, and new ideas couldn’t come in. I was at capacity.
Then a shift happened. A major mindset shift.
Scarcity mindset → Abundant mindset.
From ideas are finite to ideas are infinite. Sharing ideas creates more ideas. Evolved ideas, better ideas.
Since then, I have more fulfilment sharing my ideas. Sharing ideas creates more discussions, more opportunities, more learnings.
How did this shift happen?
I began to trust in myself. My ability to create work and formulate insights unique to my experiences. The trust comes with a belief that opportunities will come when I share my insights and ideas.
Yes, some ideas won’t land. That’s okay. It’s not the right timing.
An idea out is better than an idea in.
If you’ve read The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, you will understand what I’m saying. I guess I was inspired by how he spoke to it so clearly.
Reading about something is one thing; identifying it in your own behaviours is a completely different kettle of fish.
Shifting that mindset is a step towards real change.
I like creating simple formulas for how things can work in my life. Then share them with others because it may help someone.
“Observations and experiences in (ideas in) + Sharing of ideas (ideas out) = evolves the idea and/or creates opportunities.”
Recently, I’ve had several conversations with people I look up to in the creative industry. I was vulnerable and shared my learnings. To my surprise, they resonated with the attachment to creative ideas and shared their practice of detachment when sharing ideas with others. Proof that this can be a learned behaviour.
How did this scarcity mindset develop?
Past experiences and influences. Upon reflection, many past experiences had learnings within them. Hard learnings. When the emotion was subtracted, the learnings became clear.
The past is not a reflection of the future. To learn from my past mistakes will only equip me for what’s ahead.
This may resonate with you, it may not. Timing is everything. Here’s to me sharing more ideas and creating more opportunities regardless.
‘At the end of it all. What are ideas without action.’
I appreciate your time and attention for getting this far in my Substack. If something landed for you leave a comment, or share with a friend.
As always, move with curiosity.
Willocks x