Author of seven books, including The Accidental Creative, Herding Tigers, Die Empty, Daily Creative, The Brave Habit. I help creative pros and leaders to be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.
How To Think In Systems - from Todd Henry
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Old rules no longer apply, leaving creative pros to carve new paths amid the chaos. In this week's email we focus on three actionable ideas from the latest Daily Creative episode featuring interviews with Robert Siegel and Seth Godin. Dare to Embrace ChaosThe bravest leaders don't just tolerate uncertainty—they invite it into the room. Rather than seeking the comfort of certainty, they learn to see times of upheaval as windows for reinvention. It’s in the confusion where bold moves are made. As Seth Godin reminded us, “The only reason you have the position you have is because the system changed in a way that let you get in,” and new chaos means new opportunities. The real risk is standing still while the system shifts around you. Are you willing to get uncomfortable and take the next step forward, even when you can’t see the whole path? How will you proactively seek out one new, uncomfortable challenge this week, instead of waiting for certainty? Choose Less to Achieve MoreYou can gain more by doing less—intentionally. Our creative instincts tempt us to add more ideas, more strategy, more features, but overloading strips away clarity and impact. Focus—real focus—is knowing what to leave out so you can do what matters most. By cutting the noise, we reclaim the space for our best work to shine. What are you willing to drop so your priority can truly stand out? What will you intentionally say ‘no’ to or remove from your plate this week to help you prioritize your next meaningful steps? Experiment Relentlessly, But Start SmallYour next breakthrough won’t come from perfect planning, but from persistent, small-scale experimentation. Brilliance doesn’t mean having a master plan that never fails. The most successful creative leaders deploy lots of arrows, trying small bets with fast feedback—knowing that every unexpected hit or miss is part of the process. As Seth Godin advises, “We succeed with the smallest possible market, not the biggest possible market.” By seeking to delight a focused, eager group, you lower the stakes, learn quickly, and adapt faster. Stop aiming for the one big moment—instead, treat every effort as a learning opportunity. Where can you test a new idea on a smaller scale right now? What experiment can you run this week with a small, trusted group or audience, rather than waiting for the perfect launch?
P.S. If you'd like to hear the full interview with Robert Siegel and Seth Godin, 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.
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Todd Henry
Author of seven books, including The Accidental Creative, Herding Tigers, Die Empty, Daily Creative, The Brave Habit. I help creative pros and leaders to be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.
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