"If I knew what I was going to be doing, I probably wouldn’t have called myself Childish Gambino." — Donald Glover
Lightbulb glowing brightly, symbolizing creative experimentation and professional growth
Multi-disciplinary creator Donald Glover didn’t plan for Childish Gambino to become iconic—he was just following a creative impulse. The name popped up from an online Wu-Tang Clan Name Generator. There was no massive strategy behind it; just a guy playing around online, asking, “What if?” Even as the persona of Childish Gambino achieved musical success, Glover has stated that he always saw it as a character—one he has recently retired.
This raises a question for all of us, especially those who juggle multiple creative pursuits: how often do we hold ourselves back because we’re waiting for things to be “perfect” before we begin? How much time do we lose by overthinking the endless options? We think too far ahead, stressing over the outcome instead of focusing on the spark that got us excited in the first place.
As we enter the last stretch of the year, it's easy to feel like time is running out to get things right. But what if we used this season to experiment instead of perfect? There's still time to start something, even if it feels unfinished.
When was the last time you approached something purely for the joy of it, without overthinking the results? What project are you avoiding right now because you think it’s not “ready”? Perfection is a trap, and if Donald Glover had waited for the perfect name or timing, we might never have seen Childish Gambino at all.
As a multi-creative, I know this challenge well. But watching my six-year-old dive headfirst into his ideas without hesitation constantly reminds me of the power of play. When an idea strikes him, he doesn’t worry about whether it will work or not—he’s simply excited to try. He builds, tests, rethinks, and creates, fully in the moment. The process is the point for him, and there’s something to learn from that.
Creativity thrives in motion—not in waiting for perfection.
So, what would it look like to give yourself permission to experiment? To follow that curiosity, knowing that you can refine it later?
The truth is, creativity thrives in motion—not in waiting for perfection. How can you experiment more with your ideas? What would you create if you weren’t afraid of it being imperfect?
Image of a paper aquarium crafted by my six-year-old, capturing his playful creativity and confidence in the present moment
Start small, take a chance, and let the process surprise you. You don’t need to know where it will lead. That’s part of the fun.
As we close out the year, there's no better time to lean into experimentation. The act of creation is what counts, not the polished end result. Lean into the experiment and trust that something unexpected, and possibly extraordinary, will emerge on the other side.
The easiest, and arguably most effective, method for turning our goals into reality is to take a cue from Donald Glover—or my six-year-old—and just "follow the fun." As Donald Glover points out, "That's the only thing we have." With an overwhelming amount of content and products around us, pursuing what sparks our curiosity is the key to creating something that is uniquely and unmistakably ours.
As we embrace the joy of creative experimentation, it’s essential to stay connected to resources that can help fuel our journey. By choosing to Experiment Like a Kid, Create Like a Pro, we open ourselves up to new ideas and possibilities. To support you along the way, look out for the upcoming Happy Rocket newsletter on November 1, 2024. I’ll be sharing valuable insights on creative exploration, along with practical tools, strategies, and opportunities specifically designed for multi-disciplinary creators.
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