Ever feel like your creativity resembles wrestling an octopus? Each tentacle represents a different project, interest, or idea… slipping, sliding, wriggling free, and constantly demanding your attention. Welcome to the reality of creative living. It's messy, chaotic, and brilliant - if you know how to embrace it.
A Curious Historical Note
Believe it or not, octopus wrestling was once a real sport, especially popular on the West Coast of the United States in the mid-20th century. Divers would plunge into the ocean, grappling with these intelligent, slippery creatures, attempting to bring them to the surface. It was unpredictable, thrilling, and often chaotic… err… much like the creative process itself. Though the sport has thankfully fallen out of favour due to environmental and ethical concerns, the metaphor remains vivid and compelling.
Why Creativity is Never a Neat Process
The image of the solitary genius, calmly crafting masterpieces in isolation, is a compelling myth. Real creativity looks more like a wrestling match: sweaty, messy, and unpredictable. In the Make Happen Method, we call this Wrestling the Octopus. It's the art of managing and thriving in creative chaos, accepting multiple ideas and projects without drowning in overwhelm.
Your challenge isn't having too many ideas. The frustration arises when you expect creativity to behave neatly, linear, and tidily. It's this expectation, not the creative chaos itself, that causes stress and burnout.
Embrace the Beautiful Mess
True innovation happens when you stop trying to control creativity and instead dive fully into its rich complexity. Your creativity isn't confused; it's dynamic. Every passion, interest, and unfinished project is an untamed tentacle of innovation, waiting for you to courageously engage.
Here's how you start embracing your creative octopus:
Exercise: The Octopus Map
Time to visualise and clarify your octopus right now:
Draw Your Octopus: Grab a large piece of paper. In the centre, draw a circle representing your core creative self. Radiating outward, sketch eight lively tentacles.
Label Each Arm: Assign each tentacle a current passion, project, or idea competing for your attention.
Assess the Grip: Beside each tentacle, rate on a scale from 1-10 how strongly this idea grips your focus and energy.
Spot the Synergy: Step back and look at your octopus. Which tentacles overlap or support each other? Draw connections between those that could reinforce and enrich one another.
Prioritise Action: Circle the tentacle that's currently most exciting or crucial for your creative growth. Commit to taking one small, concrete action toward this project within the next 24 hours.
Key Insights from Wrestling Your Octopus:
Clarity through Complexity: Visual mapping reduces overwhelm and uncovers hidden connections.
Action Over Perfection: Don't wait for total clarity—act now to keep momentum alive.
Iterative Evolution: Creativity thrives on continuous exploration and revision, not fixed plans.
Relevant MH Distinction: Wrestling the Octopus
"Like choosing to be an octopus wrestler, the path of creativity is not easy. You're grappling with numerous ideas, challenges, and possibilities simultaneously - like trying to pin down a slippery, eight-armed creature."
Remember, wrestling your creative octopus isn't about victory or defeat… it's about learning to move gracefully with each unpredictable twist and turn, engaging fully, and celebrating the exhilarating thrill of uncertainty.
Ready to dive in and embrace your creative octopus? Your next brilliant breakthrough awaits in the beautiful chaos.
