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DO NOT take pride in your work
For the design community, it is common knowledge that the ego has no place in collaborative output. For those outside of the design community, it may come as a shock to read the title of this article.
So let me explain…
Your First Idea is Rarely the Best One
It’s important to understand that our brain takes up an absurd amount of energy relative to its size in our body. Because of this, our brain, in order to save energy, tricks us. When we have our first idea, our brain encompasses it with positive chemicals to prevent us from using more energy coming up with alternatives.
There is a more scientific way to explain this, and if you’re interested, check it out here!
Taking pride in our work (or being told to), encourages us to trust this false sense of worth. Pushing through this stage and forcing yourself to keep having more ideas will almost always result in a better final idea.
(This concept is also mentioned in a terrific book, “Designing Your Life,” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.)
Ideate, Ideate, Ideate
