We are creatures of habit. Save for few, we crave certainty and safety. Neither traits that lead to much creativity. So let’s examine what’s behind this and what we can do to make certain that certainty doesn’t hinder us. Show Notes:* People Fear Leaving Their Safe Harbor of the Known and Venturing Off into the Unknown. Human Beings Crave Certainty—Even When it Limits Them. * Safety/security is a foundation of Maslov’s hierarchy of human needs* We aren’t as open or adventurous as we give ourselves credit for* The Only Certainty is that Nothing is Certain.* Out of everything I ever share in the course of this podcast, this is the only thing that I’m 100% sure of—I think* Embrace it, like death, uncertainty is just a part of life* Be Stupid. – Renzo Rosso, Founder of Diesel Clothing Line* Be a table rasa, a blank slate free of past bias* Let go your ego, you can’t be expected to know everything* Eff know-it-alls, no need to let them* I Have Devoted My Life to Uncertainty. Certainty is the Death of Wisdom, Thought, Creativity. — Shekhar Kapur, An Indian International Film Star/Director* There is no “sure thing” in creativity* Leave yourself open to the possibilities, let new buds bloom* Paranoia Will Destroy Ya’. — Ray Davies, The Kinks* The need for certainty can make you cling to ideas that otherwise make no sense* Certainty can be handcuffs, stifling your creativity to find new solutions* Go Out on a Limb, That’s Where the Fruit Is. — Mark Twain* Most innovation starts with smart risk* Creating new stuff is the thrill of your work (I hope)* Don’t Wait Until You Have Enough Facts to Be 100% Sure, Because by Then it is Almost Always Too Late. — General Colin Powell* Before sending soldiers into life-threatening battle, the military must be 70% sure of the mission* If that seems low, it’s not; after 70%, the battlefield changes so much that it’s a whole new situation* Technology can help strike a balance between balance and risk* You can test multiple approaches at an affordable cost* Squeezing out uncertainty without losing its magic is not more possible to build a process around Transcripts: Welcome to Episode 14 of Navigating the Fustercluck—a podcast full of snackable insights to help you navigate the love/hate world of creativity. My name is Wegs, like eggs with a W, joining you from Deaf Mule Studios in Dallas, and today we’re here to talk about The Certainty Trap. And the certain failure that comes with the Certainty Trap. Especially when it comes to creativity and innovation. Let’s dive right in…According to inspirational speaker and guru, Robert S. Sharma… People Fear Leaving Their Safe Harbor of the Known and Venturing Off into the Unknown.  Human Beings Crave Certainty—Even When it Limits Them.  According to Maslov and his famous hierarchy, security is one of our most basic needs.  Deep down inside there’s a longing for stability, consistency and permanence.  Perhaps we long for the certainty of security so badly that we’re willing to settle for the mere appearance of it.  Waging war for comforting absolutes, regardless if there is proof to the contrary. And since we used war as a metaphor, let’s move on to famed American Diplomat, Richard Holbrooke… You Have to Test Your Hypothesis Against Other Theories.  Certainty in the Face of Complex Situations is Very Dangerous.  Certainty can be dangerous. Then why do we seek it? Certainty certainly feels good.  It feels confident.  It feels strong.  But it will also feel like a ton of bricks landed on your head if you follow it blindly.  No matter how sure of yourself and your position, you may want to pay attention to make sure you’re not following some illusion. The Only Certainty is that Nothing is Certain. – Pliny the Elder, a Roman philosopher who sounds like a character from the Sm...