100 Open Tabs

If you are a thinker like me, then you probably find yourself working on almost a million ideas at the same time. Usually it starts with a strong conviction about an idea or fact, and several research to validate what you are thinking. The problem is, something else could come up right in the middle of the whole research thing, that makes whatever new idea you think up even more exciting. I recently read an article about period poverty on UNICEF’s website and I immediately thought of how I could come up with solutions to that problem in my community. Meanwhile, I already have like a hundred and one open projects that started off exciting too but are somehow on a queue now.

I had a conversation with my colleague just few minutes after I read that post about how I could plan a project for secondary school girls in my community. You needed to have seen the whole excitement and energy running through me as I mapped out how the project would go. I made further research about similar projects online and found contacts of an organisation that produces sanitary towels from local reusable materials. I called and even requested for a physical meeting so I could properly discuss my project plan and how the partnership would work.

Well like you guessed, it’s been almost three weeks now and that idea has luckily joined the queue. It didn’t just join the queue, I kind of thoroughly analysed how my proposed project would solve the perceived problem. I didn’t think giving free sanitary towels would solve the problem. I thought about the sustainability of the proposed solution. What would happen when the girls run out of the free sanitary towel supply?

I recently came to the realization that this habit is actually unhealthy for the creative mind. If you initiate ideas and run with a blast of adrenaline just until you hit a wall, and suddenly abandon it and move to something else repeating the circle, that’s not good. What makes things work most times is the result of consistent effort in spite of everything.

I believe a better habit would be to try to see things through. Try to get closure on one thing before moving on to another thing, even if it doesn’t work out eventually. This habit would be very beneficial for your mental health and it would help improve your mental strength too. Most importantly, you’ll learn about your strengths and know where to channel the bulk of your energy.

So yeah, reopen those tabs staring at you now and do the needful. Cheers!