When to Let an Idea Go

Creativity

Creativity is all about ideas, but not every concept can make it past the drawing board. Once we learn when and how to let go, our work becomes smarter and stronger.

Ideas are pieces of ourselves and though letting go of them is difficult, it’s an important part of creativity. Sometimes the idea doesn’t meet the objectives at hand, but sometimes it just isn’t the right time. Letting go doesn’t always mean forever.

We’ve come to realize that quitting an idea isn’t failure, but it takes practice. This week we discuss how to know when an idea is losing momentum, strategies for moving past ideas, and more.

Pair this episode with:

Cleo

Tequila

Hibiscus flowers, agave nectar, and dragon fruit powder — ingredients that suggest some sort of mythical quest is at hand. The Cleo does not require the slaying of fire-breathing beasts, but some mild exploration may be needed to gather all the cocktail’s elements.

At its core, the Cleo is your trusty tequila+lime+agave drink, but the dragon fruit, despite its name, adds a subtle dimension of flavor for an exciting twist on a classic.

Ingredients

2 ounces Casamigos blanco tequila
1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/4 ounce dragon fruit syrup
1/4 ounce agave nectar
Garnish: dragon fruit slice

Preparation

Dragon Fruit Syrup

In a saucepan, combine 250 grams granulated sugar and 250 grams water over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Add 25 grams freeze-dried pink pitaya (dragon fruit) powder and continue stirring until the powder hydrates.
Add 4 dried hibiscus flowers and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in 5 grams malic acid until all ingredients have coalesced. Allow to cool completely and strain out and discard solids. Will keep, tightly sealed and refrigerated, for up to 1 month.

Cleo