012: Don't lock yourself in a vault

Today we're focusing on what I’ve termed the secret recipe effect: the idea that we have to be really secretive about our ideas and about what we’re working on.

Episode transcript:

Good morning Daily Peppers, and welcome to another episode of the Daily Pep. If you're looking for some rebel rousing or you're sick of being your very own personal dream chitter, you are in the right place. So there's never been a time in history where we've been so connected, and I'd argue there's also never been a time in history when there has been so much scope and potential for comparison.

Comparison is one of the things that comes up time and time again, especially online, and we'll explore that more in future episodes. Today I really want to focus on what I've termed the Secret Recipe effect. The idea that we have to be really secretive about our ideas and about what we're working on and that we have to keep them in a vault. Legend has it that there's loads of our biggest food brands and they have secret vaults that contain their super secret recipe and only one person in the world knows the code. Or maybe they split the recipe in half and one person knows one bit and one person knows the other and they don't know who the other person is, so nobody really knows the full recipe.

To me, the secret Vault effect is like the adult version of Remember when you were a child and during tests you cover your arms right around your head in a really exaggerated manner to stop people from stealing your answers. Now, while it might make logical sense for big conglomerate food corporations to protect their recipes and vaults, I think it's fair to say that for us creatives, it can be a bit overkill. And when we do create our own version of the secret vault, it is actually more to our detriment than it is to our supposed safety. Because when it comes to your ideas, locking them in a vault can be a recipe for some serious loneliness. If you're not willing to share what you're working on with other people, not only are you pretty much becoming your own island, but you're also starving yourself of the flavours and the nuance that other people can bring. And that's before we even get started on how if you did want to lock your best ideas into a vault, you would have to lock yourself into a vault. Because the truth is, you are the secret ingredient. No one can copy you because they don't have your unique combination of experiences, stories, skills, strengths and perspectives.

So unless you fancy locking yourself in a vault. And I mean, whatever floats your boat. But personally, I do not abandon the idea that your creativity needs to be secret. Of course, still take caution, copyright exists for a reason. And do be careful who you share your ideas with. Not necessarily because they could be stolen, but because ideas are precious and sensitive things and any criticism or critique in their early development can kill them before I can say the word vault. But don't take so much precaution that you end up unintentionally starving yourself of bringing other people joy, of finding like minded people, of putting great shit into the world and starving yourself of your potential to make the world a brighter place. So I hope you find reassurance in the fact that no one can do what you do in the way you do it.

And instead of locking yourself in a vault, you give yourself the gift of company and stimulation of like minded people and you can actually enjoy your creativity. That's it for today's Daily Pep. If you know someone who you think would love the show or could do it, a bit of encouragement early in the morning, go share it with them now because this podcast is designed to be the exact opposite of putting yourself in a bowl. So see you tomorrow and have a fabulous day.

Episode transcript automatically produced by Castmagic.io

ABOUT THE DAILY PEP! PODCAST

A short, snappy and sassy daily podcast to keep your internal - and external - dreamshitters at bay!

The Daily Pep! is the rebel-rousing, daily podcast for couragemakers, creative, multi-passionate and unconventional women.

If you’re surrounded by people who don’t get who you are or what you do, if you want reminders you’re on the right path (no matter how scary it feels), or you’re sick of being your very own worst enemy, this is the podcast for you.

Every weekday, your host - writer, coach and professional rebel-rouser - Meg Kissack helps you build a creative and wholehearted life, one day at a time. Through short and snappy insights, reminders and stories, The Daily Pep! is here to remind you you’re not alone, and that everything changes when you believe you matter. Each episode is short and snappy, designed to fit in with (or help you start) your habits and routines.

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