There’s always a risk, that once we’ve found a good idea, if we modify or change it in some way, we may lose the essence of it. Unable to move forward, for fear of losing an initial idea in the pursuit of a greater one, the work halts and is left in limbo.

I used to be grateful for the undo option, as I could go back if I’d found I’d taken a wrong turn. Undo seems like a creative safety net. Freedom to take a chance, to see where the work may go, and if we make a mistake, we can always retract. It certainly has its uses.

But we must commit at some point. And I think there’s an art to doing so.

You see, I think it’s very hard to let go of work. And when we have an undo option, we can postpone finishing the work indefinitely. if we so choose. But we have a duty to clear the decks at some point. To close off work that has gone on for too long. So that we can make space for new work to enter our lives. And we must also learn that the creative process is made up of a series of commits, of decisions to get to the finishing line.

I don’t like having limitless options. I work better when I am forced to commit, knowing full well that I cannot go back. It’s taught me to trust myself more. It’s also taught me to go with the flow.

The creative process is much like a performance. You are running live and anything may happen. Unintended results can bring inspired consequences. Committing to something I did not intend, can be a real power move.

Commitment is now a welcome part of my tool set. A key skill.

It helps bring purpose and intent to the fore in my work. And if I’m uncertain, it allows me to draw a line under it, so that I can be free to move on.