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BRAVE • FOCUSED • BRILLIANT 5 Things You're Not Managing (That Are Managing You) You’re talented, driven, and full of ideas. Why do you still feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like your best work is always just out of reach? In a recent conference talk in Scottsdale, Arizona, I shared five areas where creative pros must build discipline if they want to do meaningful work.

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In the latest episode of Daily Creative, I shared a live talk from Scottsdale, Arizona, drawing from my book The Accidental Creative.

In it, I shared why creativity doesn’t just “happen,” but instead results from intentional rhythms and disciplines, especially when life and work are unpredictable. If you don't manage them, they will manage you.

Here are five key concepts from the talk (and episode):

Focus is your most precious (and finite) resource.

In a world relentlessly vying for your attention—email pings, social media, endless meetings—it’s easy to believe that you’re “multitasking,” when in fact you’re just splintering the energy needed for real breakthroughs. The episode highlights the incredible cost (66+ hours a year!) of checking distractions every few minutes, and how true brilliance only happens in uninterrupted space.

Do you ever have time when you're off the grid? When no one else has the "override" on your attention? Your inbox represents everyone else's priority for your life.

When do you give yourself permission to be completely off the grid and let your mind settle?

Brilliance requires community—not isolation.

Creativity often feels like a solo sport, but the best work is generated in circles of trusted, challenging peers. Rather than seeking people who agree with you, find those who nudge you out of your comfort zone and inspire honest feedback.

Form groups of trusted advisers to meet with monthly, or even simple one-on-one “head-to-heads” to share stuck points and fresh sources of inspiration.

Who challenges and inspires you to see things differently in your day-to-day work?

Manage energy as much as your time.

We obsess over our calendars, but overlook the energy needed for emotional labor—the deep work that demands your full attention and heart.

Sometimes, you need to let go of “good” commitments to make space for “great” work to flourish. Look at your routines and obligations, pruning those that steal resources from what matters most, and approach your schedule as an integrated whole—not separate compartments.

Where can you clear space in your life to better nurture your energy for your most important work?

The quality of your input determines the quality of your ideas.

Creativity is “just connecting things,” but you can’t connect dots you don’t have. Be deliberate about adding new stimulus—books, podcasts, experiences—into your routine, and spend time digesting, reflecting, and applying what you learn.

Consider keeping better notes to capture insights as they come and scheduling “stimulus dives” to immerse yourself in new environments or ideas (even if they’re outside your comfort zone).

What regular habits are you building to ensure you’re constantly putting new, diverse information into your head?

Effectiveness is often inefficient—make time for back-burner creativity.

The push for short-term productivity can crowd out the messy, non-linear play that leads to breakthroughs. Dedicate time to think, dream, and explore ideas that may not have immediate payoffs—whether that’s working on personal creative projects or simply blocking “idea time” on your calendar. Trust that these inefficient practices compound into powerful, long-term impact.

How could you reclaim time (even 30 minutes a week) for open-ended creative exploration?

Every week is a chance to bring a little more intention, courage, and fresh practice to your creative game. As I share in the talk, “Mediocrity doesn’t just happen. It’s chosen—over time.”

Challenge yourself to prune, focus, and connect: that’s how you’ll build a body of work that makes you proud when you look back.

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P.S. If you'd like to hear our full episodes and interviews, they're free at DailyCreativePlus.com. Sign up and you'll get your own private podcast feed featuring bonus content and full interviews with all of our guests.

​ Todd Henry teaches leaders and teams how to be brave, focused, and brilliant. He is the author of seven books, and speaks internationally on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. ​TODDHENRY.COM​ ​​​​​

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