Trisha’s anecdote really resonated with me because as a kid, I would hoard my candy too. Overtime I’d usually forget about it and it would eventually go bad or I’d lose interest in it. I carried this tendency into adulthood but instead of candy, it applied to ideas.
If I had an idea, I’d often set it aside, waiting for the optimal time to bring it into the world. But usually I’d end up forgetting the idea, or when I remembered it, I’d no longer have the inclination to use it.
This idea hoarding was part of scarcity mindset, where I was afraid I would run out of ideas and wanted to have some saved for later. Or I was afraid of the criticism (or lack of interest) I’d face once I put an idea out into the world.
Seth Godin writes about this in his insightful book The Practice: Shipping Creative Work:
“Hoarding your voice is based on the false assumption that you need to conserve your insight and generosity or else you’ll run out of these qualities. Hoarding is a way to hide from the fear of being insufficient. Hoarding isolates you from the people who count on you and need you the most.”
When I had the realization a few years ago that I wasn’t going to run out of ideas, but would actually come up with more ideas if I put them out in the world, it marked a real turning point for me. I began producing more, sharing more, and engaging more authentically online. Ideas flow now more easily whereas they had felt stymied before.
I’d love to hear from you—how do you deal with idea hoarding?
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Book Recommendations
Check out Trisha Speed Shaskan’s excellent books for young readers. They’re always full of lots of humor and heart!
Leif love
Leif isn’t much of a hoarder, but he does love shredding and accumulating paper. This photo is from a few Christmases ago when we let him go to town on the wrapping paper. It was a joy to see!
Take care everyone!