“A woman’s health is her greatest asset; invest in it wisely.” -Unknown

The Mystery of Menopause

The first time I heard the word “menopause”, I was 14 years old. 

I remember thinking a lot of things about it. First of all, why was the word “men” in there? Second, how does it work? How do you know when it’s started, when it’s over, when you’re in the middle of it? When will it happen to me?

It was a word shrouded in mystery and hushed acknowledgement. It was complicated, poorly defined, and faraway. 

But there is something we do know about menopause, and that is: it happens to women everywhere, en masse, all the time.

So, naturally, there must be a bunch of products people have designed to make the years women spend in menopause easier, right?

Well…not really. 

Besides supplements, if you search up “menopause products”, you will mostly encounter a barren wasteland of search results. 

This isn’t to say women experiencing perimenopause or menopause aren’t interested. 

In fact, the market for “femtech” relating to all things menstruation, menopause, and female hormone cycles is ripe with demand. 

Today, I’m going to give you 8 reasons why you- regardless of your field, education level, background, or gender (I’m looking at all the tech bros out there)- should fill the gap in the menopause market. 

…If not just because it addresses a huge but invisible injustice in the healthcare space, because it taps into one of the largest and most powerful economic driving forces of the world- aging women. 

#1: By 2025, over 1 billion women globally will be experiencing menopause.

I’ll say it now and I’ll say it again: menopause is not a niche issue.

Actually, it’s a global phenomenon that will affect over 1 billion women in 2025, according to projections from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

This shift means a significant portion of the world’s population will be navigating menopausal symptoms, yet the medical and technological advancements in this space remain insufficient. 

Unlike other major life transitions, menopause has historically been underfunded, understudied, and under-discussed in both the healthcare industry and society at large.

The implications of menopause extend beyond personal health—they affect workforce productivity, economic structures, and even healthcare systems. 

Women in midlife represent a growing segment of the workforce, yet many face significant challenges due to unmanaged symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and cognitive changes. 

The lack of comprehensive solutions often forces women to reduce work hours, take career breaks, or even leave jobs entirely, affecting financial stability and contributing to gender disparities in career advancement.

So there is an urgent need for new solutions, whether in healthcare, workplace policies, product development, or education. But innovation in this space isn’t limited to medical professionals—there’s room for entrepreneurs, technologists, designers, educators, and researchers from diverse backgrounds to make a difference.

#2: Most FemTech has been active in menstrual health and pregnancy, with midlife women’s health largely underfunded.

Over the past decade, FemTech (female-focused technology and healthcare solutions) has seen rapid growth, with billions of dollars invested in products and services aimed at menstrual health, fertility, and pregnancy. 

However, midlife women’s health—especially menopause—remains significantly underfunded and underserved. 

According to a Forbes report, while the global FemTech market is projected to reach $50 billion by 2025, the vast majority of funding has gone toward reproductive and maternal health, leaving menopause-related innovation lagging far behind.

This funding gap is largely due to historical biases in medical research and a lack of awareness about the widespread impact of menopause. 

Despite the fact that every woman who reaches midlife will experience menopause, it has been treated as an afterthought in healthcare and innovation. 

The result? 

Women facing symptoms such as hot flashes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular risks, cognitive decline, and metabolic changes often struggle to find tailored solutions beyond hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which remains controversial for some due to concerns about potential risks.

The underfunding of menopause-related innovation isn’t just a problem—it’s a massive opportunity.

The market for menopause solutions is wide open, and you don’t need to be a doctor or scientist to contribute.

Entrepreneurs, researchers, and creative problem-solvers from all industries can help close the gap.

#3: Less than 2% of biomedical research funding goes toward menopause, leaving a bunch of room for innovation.

This World Economic Forum article states,“According to Imperial College London, less than 2% of medical research funding is spent on pregnancy, childbirth and female reproductive health. The statistics are abundantly clear: Women are being medically denied and left with profound unmet need. 

A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls for major reforms, recommending that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) establish a dedicated institute for women’s health research and that Congress provide increased funding to close the gender gap in medical research. 

The World Economic Forum also highlights that the healthcare system’s failure to prioritize women’s health results in poorer medical outcomes, increased economic strain, and diminished quality of life for millions of women.

With such a glaring lack of research and funding, there’s massive potential for groundbreaking innovation—and you don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist to make an impact.

Right now, the lack of funding is a barrier—but it’s also an opportunity. 

If even a fraction of the energy that’s gone into other medical research were directed toward women’s health, we could completely change how women experience midlife and beyond. 

Whether through research, technology, or advocacy, there’s no better time to innovate in menopause healthcare.

#4: Menopause symptoms cost billions annually in sick days, early retirements, and decreased productivity. 

Menopause, a natural phase in a woman’s life, often brings symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life and her professional performance. Recent studies have quantified this impact, revealing substantial economic consequences for both individuals and organizations.

A comprehensive study by the Mayo Clinic estimated that menopause-related symptoms lead to an annual loss of approximately $1.8 billion in work time in the United States. When accounting for direct medical expenses, the total economic burden rises to $26.6 billion annually. The study highlighted that menopausal symptoms adversely affect work performance, with severity correlating strongly with negative work outcomes. 

Beyond absenteeism, presenteeism—where employees are physically present but less productive due to health issues—also contributes to economic losses. Research indicates that women experiencing menopausal symptoms report higher levels of work impairment and increased healthcare utilization compared to those without such symptoms.

#5: Many low-income communities lack access to hormone therapy or specialist care. 

Menopause is a universal experience for women, but access to effective treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and specialist care is not equally distributed. 

Women in low-income communities often face significant barriers to accessing these essential health services, leading to disparities in menopause management and overall health outcomes.​

Research indicates that socioeconomic status significantly influences the utilization of HRT. 

A study found that women with moderate to high incomes were three times more likely to use HRT compared to those with low incomes. This disparity is attributed to factors such as lack of healthcare coverage, limited access to healthcare providers, and insufficient information about treatment options. 

Additionally, women from disadvantaged backgrounds often experience an earlier onset of menopause and report more severe symptoms. Despite this increased need, they are less likely to receive appropriate care, exacerbating health inequities.

Addressing these disparities is crucial for promoting health equity and ensuring that all women have access to effective menopause management.

#6: Specialized sleep technology for menopausal women has not been developed yet. 

Menopause often brings about significant sleep disturbances, with studies indicating that 40–60% of menopausal women experience sleep problems. These disturbances can severely impact quality of life, leading to fatigue, mood disorders, and decreased productivity. Despite the prevalence of these issues, there remains a notable gap in the development of specialized sleep technologies tailored specifically for menopausal women.

While general sleep aids and cooling products exist, few are explicitly designed to address the unique challenges posed by menopause-related sleep disturbances. 

For instance, some companies have introduced cooling mattresses and temperature-regulating bedding aimed at alleviating night sweats and hot flashes. However, these solutions are often generalized and not specifically tailored to the menopausal demographic. 

Moreover, comprehensive wearable devices that monitor sleep patterns in conjunction with menopausal symptoms are still underrepresented in the market.

#7: Most meal planning services and food products overlook the needs of women experiencing menopause.

Nutrition plays a major role in managing menopausal symptoms, yet most meal planning and food product development overlook the needs of this demographic.

This oversight leaves a substantial gap in the market for solutions tailored to alleviate menopause symptoms and promote overall health during this transitional phase.​

During menopause, decreased estrogen levels can lead to various health concerns, including bone density loss, increased cardiovascular risk, and weight gain. Incorporating specific nutrients, such as increased calcium, phytoestrogens, vitamin D, and omega 3 fatty acids into the diet can help mitigate these risks. 

The limited availability of menopause-focused meal planning services presents a significant opportunity for innovation.

#8: Menopause increases the risks of many chronic diseases.

Menopause marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, characterized by the cessation of menstrual cycles and a decline in estrogen levels. This hormonal shift is associated with an increased risk of several chronic diseases, making it a critical period for proactive health management.​

Below are just a few examples of the health risks menopausal and postmenopausal women face.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

The decline in estrogen during menopause contributes to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Estrogen is known to have a protective effect on the heart and blood vessels.

Its reduction leads to changes in body composition and lipid metabolism, increasing the risk of conditions such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Research indicates that women experience a notable increase in CVD risk during midlife, coinciding with the menopausal transition.

Osteoporosis

Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density.

Post-menopausal women experience accelerated bone loss, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

The World Health Organization notes that the loss of bone density at menopause significantly contributes to higher rates of osteoporosis and fractures among women.

Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes

Menopause is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. This elevates the risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The hormonal changes during menopause can lead to visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and unfavorable lipid profiles.

Thought to Action

1. Normalize conversations about menopause. Menopause is still a taboo topic in many cultures. A layperson can help break the stigma by discussing menopause openly with friends, family, and colleagues.
2. Advocate for menopause-friendly workplaces. Many women suffer in silence at work due to symptoms like brain fog, sleep disturbances, and hot flashes. Let’s push for workplace policies that support menopausal employees. Supporting HR initiatives or signing petitions for legislative changes can make a real difference.
3. Support organizations focusing on menopause research. Men and women alike can back businesses and researchers focusing on menopause. For example, support can be investing, sharing their work, or simply choosing products that benefit menopausal women. If an entrepreneur in his network is working on a menopause-related innovation, he can offer mentorship or support.
4. Be a listener without jumping to being a “fixer”. Sometimes, we just need someone to listen without judgment. If a woman in your life shares her struggles with menopause, resist the urge to offer solutions unless she asks for them. Just acknowledging her experience with a simple “That sounds really challenging. How can I support you?” can go a long way.
5. Be curious, kind, and present. Whether it’s attending a menopause-awareness talk, joining a couple’s health checkup, or just being present when she’s struggling, showing up without making menopause feel like a taboo subject helps remove stigma.

Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3820128

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/menopause-and-workplace-productivity/menopause-and-workplace-productivity

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-study-puts-price-tag-on-cost-of-menopause-symptoms-for-women-in-the-workplace

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10347781

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause

https://www.forbes.com/sites/reenitadas/2019/07/24/menopause-unveils-itself-as-the-next-big-opportunity-in-femtech

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/01/women-healthcare-gap

https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2024/12/to-advance-womens-health-research-nih-should-form-new-institute-and-congress-should-appropriate-new-funding-says-report

https://www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/how-your-background-can-affect-your-menopa

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1026537114638

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11297189

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6092036

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000912

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/menopause

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10672665

The post 8 Reasons You Will Regret Not Innovating For Menopause appeared first on Green Also Green.

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci

One of the most well-known figures to represent Renaissance culture is the world’s favorite creative genius, Leonardo DaVinci. A painter, engineer, and scientist, he lived dozens of lifetimes in one. 

How did he do it? 

And why have so few managed to do it since?

This is a good question, an important one in a world so simultaneously plagued with problems and blessed with beauty. 

For many of us, living the life of a Renaissance person seems like a romantic pipe dream. 

Indeed, it seemed not so long ago that we were all starry-eyed toddlers who had seven answers whenever an adult hovered over us and asked that expansive-but-terrifying question: “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?”

Fast forward twenty, thirty, or forty-plus years, and those pipe dreams have been flushed away. 

But what if there was still time, and a strong need, for more people with DaVinci careers?

I’m not describing an alternate universe; I’m describing our reality. 

Now, here are 4 easy lessons that you can apply from DaVinci himself to make it your reality too. 

#1: Study Nature Closely

When designing his flight machine, DaVinci sketched an entire folio titled Flight Of Birds. He studied their wings, how air passes over them, and was even the first to document a maneuver called dynamic soaring. According to this research paper, his description pre-date the first “generally accepted explanation of the physics” of this technique by almost 400 years.

What can you take from this?

Observe patterns, systems & behaviors in the natural world. 

The original creative genius is natural selection herself.

#2: Embrace Experimentation. 

Another branch of Davinci’s legacy concerns his sketches of human anatomy. 

At the time, dissection was against the law unless you were a physician- he wasn’t. Nevertheless, he still dissected human remains, drawing what he saw and providing us with breakthroughs about the functions of bones and muscles in the body. 

Another example is DaVinci’s water vase experiment, which sought to test the theory that gravity is a form of acceleration. Ultimately, engineers at Caltech have confirmed that his understanding of gravity was centuries ahead of its time, and that he was able to calculate the gravitational constant with 97% accuracy. 

But what about the experiments that didn’t quite go to plan?

His Last Supper painting, whose experimental pigment didn’t stick to the wall, leading to quick degradation. 

His rejected plans to cast the bronze doors of a cathedral in Piacenza or design the dome for the cathedral of Milan.

In fact, for most of his life, DaVinci’s idea of himself was far from “creative genius”.

He considered himself a failure.

He experimented anyway. 

He tested his ideas (especially if they seemed unconventional).

He embraced failure. 

We need to do the same. 

#3: Self-Direct Your Education. 

Leonardo DaVinci was not what you would call “well-educated” in the traditional sense. He received the usual schooling of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but no “higher education” at university. 

In fact, it was only once he was about 30 years old that he started diving deep into the realms of advanced geometry, arithmetic, and Latin. 

At the end of the day, DaVinci was self-taught. 

He did his own experiments. He led his own research. He came up with questions and sought to answer them on his own terms. 

To what end? 

Making connections. 

The curse of being endlessly curious is that you are endlessly unsatisfied by the curriculums created by others. 

However, once you start to direct your education to learn about what truly fascinates you, you realize that the blessing is in gaining your own unique problem-solving vision that single-field, single-culture, single-skillset individuals just don’t have. This turns you into a creative genius.

DaVinci created a curriculum that answered all his questions, and for you to do the same is easier than it’s ever been before. 

Harness all the books, podcasts, YouTube videos, blogs, AI agents, and social media platforms that stimulate your curiosity.

Stop trying to make sense of your interests. 

Start following them. 

#4: Make Creativity A Habit. 

Arguably the most important of DaVinci’s creations was the creation of a habit, or perhaps several habits that changed the way he saw and responded to the world, ultimately creating a creative genius.

So, what can you do to replicate DaVinci’s genius (or maybe just his habits) in our fast-paced, hyper-productive, mostly-online world?

Make time daily to create.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Go out for walks in nature. Bring a sketchbook and pencil with you. Spend a few minutes looking closely at one component of your surroundings, and sketch it as you observe it.
• If you’re working on a design, product, or engineering problem, look at how nature solves similar challenges.
• If you’re learning something new (coding, art, engineering), try unconventional methods without worrying about failure.
• When stuck on a project, ask: “What would happen if I did the opposite?” or “What rule can I break?”
• Pick a subject unrelated to your field and explore it (e.g. read a book or article about it, listen to a podcast episode) —Leonardo studied everything from music to anatomy.
• Set up “apprenticeships” for yourself—shadow professionals or take online courses outside of your formal education.
• Schedule daily “idea time” (even 10 minutes) to brainstorm or sketch.
• Use cross-training: If you work in STEM, do something artistic like painting or writing to keep your creativity active. If you work in the arts, try a logic puzzle or engineering concept.
• Take Leonardo-style breaks: He believed stepping away from work helped ideas incubate—try taking walks, changing environments, or switching tasks.

Thought To Action 

1. Keep a Curiosity Journal: Note down observations about how things work or ideas for inventions, no matter how small.
2. Sketch For Your Brain: Draw diagrams and sketches to help process your thoughts and develop your ideas further. 
3. Study the “How” Of Everything You Find Interesting: Ask more questions and get in the habit of approaching all situations with curiosity and interest. 
4. Innovate Through Collaboration: Partner up with someone from another discipline to work on a project or to hear how they conceptualize particular challenges or ideas. 
5. Ask “What If” Questions: Regularly ask questions with a beginner’s mindset, asking the sort of “What if?” questions a child would. Make curiosity fun. 

Sources

Heydenreich, Ludwig Heinrich. “Leonardo Da Vinci.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Oct. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Leonardo-da-Vinci.

Papadopoulos, Loukia. “Experiments in Gravity: How Leonardo Da Vinci Was ahead of His Time.” Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2023, interestingengineering.com/science/leonardo-da-vinci-inner-workings-of-gravity. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Richardson, Philip L. “Leonardo Da Vinci’s Discovery of the Dynamic Soaring by Birds in Wind Shear.” Notes and Records: The Royal Society Journal of the History of Science, vol. 73, no. 3, 3 Oct. 2018, pp. 285–301, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsnr.2018.0024. Accessed 22 Feb. 2021.

The post 4 Secrets From Leonardo da Vinci On How To Become A Creative Genius appeared first on Green Also Green.

“When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of improvement accelerates.”  – Pearson’s Law

Why Journaling Works

Before we talk about journaling ideas, imagine wanting to lose weight without knowing how much you currently weigh.

You brazenly announce with a bold New-Year-Resolution sense of conviction that this is the year. Yes, now you will finally start eating healthy and working out. You will fit into your old jeans again. It will be different now. 

Why?

Well, because you say so. 

One of the many reasons resolutions like this fail is because they do not involve tracking progress. 

While it takes courage to announce your goals, and clarity to design the systems to achieve them, one essential component to drip-feeding yourself motivation when you’re on the verge of giving up is knowing exactly how you have moved towards your goals on a smaller scale. 

How much weight did you lose in the last month? How many steps did you take today? What weight are you lifting now compared to two weeks ago? 

It is not to trick yourself into thinking you are at your goal, but instead to highlight that your effort has made a difference. 

Maybe you haven’t lost 20lbs yet, but your hard work has already lost you 3, and you are able to run for 3 consecutive minutes instead of only two. 

So actually, you are getting better and you should keep going…just to see what happens. 

That said, tracking progress isn’t always as easy as it sounds, and if you’re tracking progress for a project that has less obvious indicators of success, and you yourself are a busy person with lots of competing priorities, using these journaling ideas to keep track of your progress requires some tips and tricks to get started. 

Here are three journaling ideas just to get you started…

Journaling Idea #1: Record Reps 

It’s fun to come up with goals…less fun to work hard on them. 

The reality of making your goals happen is that you have to put in regular, consistent action. Usually, it takes longer than you hope for and requires you to grow in ways you could never anticipate. 

In those moments, it’s easy to lose motivation. 

…Unless you have a tangible measure of just how far you have come in that moment.

This journaling idea will help you save up motivation for the days when you ask yourself if your goal has any merit.

On these days, record the reps.

Record the smaller steps.

Record the daily wins and the time you put in. 

You have made progress, I promise you. 

How To Do It:

1. Define Key Actions
   • Identify the specific, repeatable actions (the “reps”) that directly contribute to your goal.
   • Example: For fitness, it could be “workout sessions”; for writing, it could be “words written.”
2. Choose a Tracking Method
   • Use a consistent format like a table, list, or tracker template in your journal to record each action.
   • Include dates, details of the action, and any measurable outcomes (e.g., “wrote 500 words on Jan 15”).
3. Set Daily or Weekly Targets
   • Establish how often you aim to perform the action (e.g., 5 times per week).
   • Break it into manageable chunks to keep it achievable.
4. Note Qualitative Observations
   • After each “rep,” jot down how you felt, what worked, and what didn’t. This adds context to your progress.
5. Review Weekly
   • At the end of each week, summarize the total number of reps completed, what helped you stay consistent, and what barriers you faced.
6. Adjust as Needed
   • Use your review to refine your approach, adjust targets, or find ways to improve consistency.
7. Celebrate Consistency
   • Acknowledge your streaks and progress regularly to reinforce positive habits and keep motivation high.

Journaling Idea #2: Visualize Success

It seems counterintuitive to visualize success before you’re even there. It feels like you haven’t “deserved” the win. 

Except that you have. 

To align your mindset with a vision of success allows you to translate your mindset into actions that accelerate your progress. It takes a big highlighter to all the opportunities you have for success in your domain, gradually diminishing the gaps between your current reality and your ideal state. 

This journaling idea leads to an intuitive track of progress that motivates you consistently. 

How To Do It:

1. Set a Visualization Ritual
   • Dedicate 5-10 minutes daily (morning or night) to visualize your success. Use your journal to support the process.
2. Describe Your Ideal Outcome
   • Write a detailed narrative about what achieving your goal looks and feels like. Include sensory details, emotions, and specific achievements.
3. Create a Vision Board (Optional)
   • Use your journal to sketch or paste images, quotes, or symbols that represent your goal.
4. Write as If You’ve Achieved It
   • Regularly journal from the perspective of your future self, describing the day, your accomplishments, and how life has improved.
5. Identify Key Behaviors and Mindsets
   • Reflect on what the “successful you” is doing regularly. Write out these habits and compare them to your current actions.
6. Review and Update
   • Revisit your visualization weekly to adjust it as your goals evolve or become more refined.
7. Use Affirmations
   • Write affirmations related to your goal. For example, “I am consistent in taking action toward [goal].” Use these as daily journal prompts.

Journaling Idea #3: Celebrate “Lessons Learned”! 

Not all progress is about “wins”. Sometimes, progress is about lessons.

To not only acknowledge this but use it to your advantage, make a special effort to journal about what you have learned from all the times your efforts didn’t quite pan out. 

This will help you avoid the same mistakes, and to show more patience toward the process of trial and error that is often required to achieve big goals. 

How To Do It

1. Acknowledge the Failure
   1. Write down the event or situation where you fell short. Be specific and avoid judgmental language.
2. Identify Contributing Factors
   1. Break down the reasons for the failure. Was it lack of preparation, external circumstances, or unrealistic goals?
3. Extract the Lesson
   1. Reflect on what you learned from the experience. Write how it could help you avoid similar mistakes or improve next time.
4. Reframe the Failure
   1. Write a positive takeaway by reframing the failure as a stepping stone toward growth. Example: “Missing my deadline taught me to set reminders and plan earlier.”
5. Plan Your Next Steps
   1. Write an action plan for how you will apply the lesson. Be specific about changes to your approach, strategy, or mindset.
6. Track Improvement
   1. Use your journal to monitor whether implementing the lesson leads to progress in future efforts.
7. Celebrate the Growth
   1. Take a moment to acknowledge your courage to face failure and learn from it. Write about how the experience has made you stronger.

Thought to Action 

1. Gratitude + Goals: For each of the above journaling ideas, start each entry with one thing you’re grateful for and one small step you’ll take tomorrow.
2. Visualize Success: Use sketching or doodling to map out goals and progress instead of writing paragraphs.
3. Keep a Curiosity Journal: Note down observations about how things work or ideas for inventions, no matter how small.
4. Leverage Free Resources: Learn from free resources online to maximize your awareness of other disciplines, such as statistics, data analysis, and marketing in conjunction with the above journaling ideas.
5. Understand Your Metrics: Track and measure your own progress with progress trackers, making sure to carefully determine which metric will appropriately measure your progress. 

Sources

No external resources were used to research for this post. 

The post Unlocking 3 Easy Journaling Ideas To 10x Your Progress appeared first on Green Also Green.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.” -Maya Angelou

Creativity and innovation isn’t just for artists. 

It’s also for scientists and engineers, bankers and tech bros. It’s for mothers with screaming toddlers, and broke college students far away from home. 

Creativity lives within everyone, and it is for everyone. 

But even more importantly than this, we need creativity to solve the problems we face in our world. 

The issue?

We often turn away from exercising our creativity muscle due to fear of failure and embarrassment. 

It’s a stupid idea anyway. I’m probably not the first one to think of it. They will think I’m being weird. 

It is easy to have excuses like this. However, it stifles our development. 

So how do you finally, once and for all, learn how to be creative again- without the fear, the embarrassment, and the doubtful self-talk?

Practice. 

It’s not a quick fix, but it is an easy one. 

This Psychology Today article even suggests that “acts of creativity add meaning, shape, purpose, and richness to our days”.

This is to say, not only will practicing creativity make your life better, but it will also be fun, fulfilling, and add “richness” to your days. 

So how can you get started?

Let’s find out. 

What are the barriers to creativity and innovation? 

While we’re on the topic of using creativity to stimulate innovation, let’s talk about what innovation and creativity actually are. 

Wolfgang Grulke, author of Lessons In Radical Innovation defines innovation as “the change into something new, the introduction of novelties and the alteration of what is established”.

In other academic sources, creativity is defined as “the production of novel ideas that are useful and appropriate to the situation”.

So what are the implications of these definitions for us?

It means that to be innovative and creative, we need to change what is established into something new. 

Let’s consider that: creativity is changing what is established into something new. 

It is transformation. 

How does this take place? 

Is it through locking yourself in a room for weeks to write the next great classic novel? Is it by living isolated from society in the middle of the desert? Maybe for some. 

If you’re not willing to do either of those, however, the good news is that it’s actually a lot more simple. 

The formula is this: (1) recognize what is established and (2) identify how to transform it. 

If it’s this simple though, why isn’t everyone a creative genius?

Well, turns out these two steps are pretty difficult.

Here is a short list of just a few of the reasons why:

• Diminished engagement in artistic pursuits as we get older. 
• Low self-confidence
• Fear of failure
• Educational environments that stifle creative thinking
• Need for conformity
• And so on

The list is exhaustive and depressing. 

The good news is you don’t have to succumb to these reasons, nor do you have to let your creative potential dwindle. 

No matter who you are, what you do, or what problems you face, practicing creativity will make your life and work better. 

Want to know how to get started?

Keep reading. 

3 Simple Steps To Foster Creativity And Innovation

Now that we have discussed some of the common barriers to creativity, and you understand the importance of building the creativity muscle, what are some ways you can put this into practice?

Below are 3 simple easy strategies you can start applying today in order to get started!

#1: Use limitations as catalysts. 

This technique is all about setting arbitrary constraints to get your wheels turning. It’s about asking “What If”s several times to think in a way you wouldn’t have otherwise. 

What if your budget was $10? $100? $1000?

How would you create a particular artistic work if you only had half an hour? A day? A month? A year?

What if you had to cook dinner, but you were only allowed to use what you already had at home?

These limitations are only limitations in the superficial sense, because actually, they open your mind to several new possibilities. 

Concrete Steps Toward Creativity and Innovation

1. Set a specific problem or challenge: Identify a small, solvable problem in your life or work (e.g., how to organize your desk more efficiently).
2. Choose 3 tools or resources: Limit yourself to only three tools or items to solve the problem. For example, scissors, string, and a shoebox.
3. Write down possible solutions: Challenge yourself to come up with at least five creative ways to solve the problem using only those tools.
4. Think like a minimalist: Imagine you have to solve the problem with no access to technology or external help.
5. Ask “What if?”: Pose questions like, “What if I had to do this in under 10 minutes?” or “What if I had to explain this solution to a child?”
6. Test your solution: Try out your ideas practically and assess how well they work.
7. Reflect and iterate: After testing, write down what worked and what didn’t, and how the limitations pushed you to think differently.

#2: Break your routine. 

We are creatures of habit. 

In many ways, this is an incredible strength. 

When it comes to creativity though, it can hinder us. 

Habit shapes the way we see the world, and how we distribute our attention. By breaking out of this, we incrementally get to see the world from a new angle every time. 

Instead of eating the same recipe for dinner, try something new. Try vacationing in a new spot. Try listening to a new genre of music. 

Sometimes what we crave is the familiar, and that’s okay. 

But when we get stuck, or feel like we aren’t making progress, a little shift can be just what we need. 

Concrete Steps Toward Creativity and Innovation

1. Choose one daily activity to change: Identify something you do every day, like your commute, your lunch break, or your workout.
2. Plan one small change: Decide how you’ll do this differently. For example, take a different route, eat a meal from a different cuisine, or do your workout outdoors.
3. Explore a new medium or skill: Find a free resource online to try something new, such as watching a YouTube tutorial on origami or listening to a podcast outside your usual topics.
4. Interact with new people: If possible, initiate a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally talk to, even just a brief chat.
5. Notice and record the changes: Write down how this change made you feel, any unexpected observations, and what you learned.
6. Repeat daily for variety: Commit to one small routine-breaker every day for a week to build momentum.
7. Be open to discomfort: Remind yourself that unfamiliarity is a sign of growth and lean into it.

#3: Keep a curiosity journal.

Throughout my own life, the benefits of writing have manifested in a plethora of unexpected ways- from the solace of keeping a diary, to the intellectual fulfillment of hosting a blog. 

Yet another facet of my journaling habit that has hugely benefited me is keeping a small notebook to simply write down the things I’m curious about – an idea I want to explore, or a book I want to read. 

It can even be as simple as a thought-provoking question or a clever phrasing. 

Writing down what you’re curious about ensures that you remember it.

It creates a springboard for you to dive deeper into your interests, or to simply become aware of them in the first place. 

Ultimately, it is a habit of self-awareness, signaling to yourself “this is something I want to learn about”, “this is what I believe”, “this is who I want to become”, or “this is why the world is beautiful to me”.

Concrete Steps Toward Creativity and Innovation

1. Find or create a journal: Use a notebook, an app, or even a stack of sticky notes to collect your ideas.
2. Take 5 minutes to observe: Look at your surroundings with fresh eyes and jot down anything that sparks your curiosity. For example, how a particular building is designed or why your coffee cup is shaped the way it is.
3. Think like a child: Ask “Why?” about everything, no matter how simple or obvious it seems.
4. Add invention ideas: Write down any ideas for new products, solutions, or art—even if they seem unrealistic.
5. Revisit and build on ideas: Review your journal weekly to identify patterns or ideas worth exploring further.
6. Share your curiosity: Ask others about the things they’ve noticed or wondered about—it could inspire you further.

Thought To Action 

1. Ask Unconventional Questions: Practice questioning assumptions, e.g., “What’s the opposite approach to solving this?”
2. Keep a Curiosity Journal: Note down observations about how things work or ideas for inventions, no matter how small.
3. Try DIY Experiments: Use simple household items to recreate basic scientific experiments or art projects.
4. Nature Art Observation: Spend 10 minutes observing a tree, leaf, or pattern in nature. Sketch or write about its design and possible applications in everyday life.
5. Leverage Free Resources: Learn from free resources online to maximize your awareness of other disciplines, such as statistics, data analysis, and marketing. 

Sources

Chacón-López, Helena, and Ana Maeso-Broncano. “Creative Development, Self-Esteem and Barriers to Creativity in University Students of Education according to Their Participation in Artistic Activities.” Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 48, June 2023, p. 101270, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101270.

Cohan, Deborah J. “The Importance of Creativity | Psychology Today United Kingdom.” Www.psychologytoday.com, 1 Oct. 2022, www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/social-lights/202210/the-importance-of-creativity. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.

Nordin, Norshidah, and Mellisa Malik. “Undergraduates’ Barriers to Creative Thought and Innovative in a New Millennial Era.” Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 201, Aug. 2015, pp. 93–101, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.08.136. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

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“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Intro

Decision-making based on data is one of the most universally demanded skills of our time. 

Every day, we face the decision to act, speak, or drive change in a particular direction. It can be as small as what you choose to eat for lunch, or as big as whether you choose to follow one career versus another. 

What drives these decisions is often a mix of “gut instinct”, emotion, 

#1: Using Descriptive vs. Inferential Statistics in Decision-Making

Descriptive statistics summarize data, while inferential statistics help make predictions or decisions based on data.

One common fallacy among non-statisticians is to confuse statistics that generalize about a population with statistics that have already been measured and established. 

Imagine walking into a restaurant. You wonder what you will order. 

If someone handed you the menu, you would see a clear outline of everything available. This is like descriptive statistics, giving you an exact picture of the sample population. 

If you looked around, without a menu, and saw some people eating salads, you might infer that the restaurant orders salad. That is like inferential statistics. 

But why does it matter to you?

We are exposed to statistical claims every day, both in professional settings and personal life. How we understand these claims directly affects how we respond to them. 

If you want to respond better, start with your interpretation. Simple as that.

#2: Beware of Sampling Bias 

Ensure that your sample accurately represents the population to avoid skewed results.

Sampling bias is one type of selection bias. Often, it occurs when a statistical study selects its subjects in a non-random way. 

Importantly, this is not necessarily due to negligence. It can also take place whenever there are limited subjects available. 

For example, imagine you are in that restaurant we mentioned, and you wanted to know what other customers recommend you order. 

If you are only sampling customers in the restaurant right now, your responses will be biased. What if the usual chef was sick that day and the replacement messed up their orders? What if the lunch menu is terrible, but the breakfast menu is incredible? 

If you only sample other customers who are physically in the restaurant with you at the same time, you will not get an accurate understanding of the best item to order.  

Before jumping to conclusions based on other data in your life, consider this: you curate your own sample population; we all do. 

What perspectives are you missing and how do you fill that gap?

#3: Understand P-values 

A low p-value indicates strong evidence against the null hypothesis, but it doesn’t prove the alternative hypothesis.

First things first. What on earth are “p-values”, “null hypotheses”, and “alternative hypotheses”?

Essentially, a p-value tells you how likely it is for an event to come about as a coincidence. Low p-values suggest that the occurrence is unlikely to occur by chance, and vice versa. 

When evaluating data, a null hypothesis is the starting assumption that there is no causal effect in what you’re studying.

The alternate hypothesis is the opposite of the null hypothesis and suggests a causal relationship in what you are studying.

The goal of an experiment is usually to either provide evidence against the null hypothesis or fail to find enough evidence to reject it, thus supporting the alternate hypothesis.

This is important for everyone to understand, as it highlights the important fact that not all results from data suggest causation. 

Only the statistically significant results. 

Speaking of causation…

#4: Decision-Making Based On Correlation vs. Causation 

Correlation shows a relationship between two variables, but it does not imply causation. 

The human brain is conditioned to recognize patterns, and in many ways this is thanks to its causal structure. 

This is to say, we look for causation, not correlation, so it will be a perpetual struggle to untangle these from each other. 

Nevertheless, we must try. 

Identifying when correlation and causation are each at play is the key to thinking clearly about data-driven problem-solving, and solution analysis. 

Consider this Washington Post article, which explores the correlation between crime and police spending. 

Ultimately, the article concludes that there is “no correlation nationally between spending and crime rates”. However, causal research has shown that having more police typically leads to a reduction in crime. 

See how easy it is to make this mistake, and the difference it makes? 

#5: Beware of Confirmation Bias In Your Decision-Making 

Avoid interpreting data in a way that confirms your preconceptions.

One quote commonly attributed to Stephen Covey is that “we see the world as we are”. 

When using any data to make conclusions, it is vital to remember this. 

The fact of the matter is this: statistics are not untouched by human psychology. 

Actually, the human lens is exactly what gives any set of data true meaning. Because of that, it’s usually not “What is the data telling us?”, but rather “What do we want to hear?” The danger comes when what we want to hear from the data is aligned with what it is telling us. 

Identifying this bias is important, not just for our self-awareness as individuals, but as scientists, policy-makers, journalists, business owners, and consumers.

By uncovering our own confirmation bias, we will be more open to identifying new patterns and developing creative new approaches. 

Beyond this, addressing confirmation bias also serves to promote open-mindedness, which is crucial in a world of decision-makers faced with high levels of polarization. 

To Sum It Up…

Understanding statistics is no longer a task just for researchers or analysts—it’s essential for anyone looking to make informed decisions, whether in business, healthcare, education, or everyday life. 

By mastering these five concepts, you can approach data more critically, ask better questions, and ultimately make decisions that are not only data-backed but also rooted in accuracy and fairness. 

Thought to Action 

1. Diversity: Create diversity in any sample, survey, or research you conduct. Additionally, make sure to check for diversity behind the research you review as an outsider.  
2. Dive Deeper: Instead of assuming a specific cause for an event, ask “What else could be going on here?”
3. Challenge Yourself: Approach claims with a beginner’s mindset, considering what are the gaps in your understanding of the data. 
4. Beware of Data Dredging: Avoid searching for patterns in data without a prior hypothesis, as this increases the risk of finding spurious correlations.
5. Continuously Improve Data Literacy: Stay updated with statistical methods and best practices to make better-informed decisions.

Sources

https://www.britannica.com/science/confirmation-bias

https://hbr.org/2021/11/leaders-stop-confusing-correlation-with-causation

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-023-00778-7

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574513

https://golayer.io/blog/business/data-interpretation

https://researchmethod.net/data-interpretation

https://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations

https://www.princeton.edu/~smello/papers/cops.pdf

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