We value our instinct over their input

Howard Roark, the fictional architect who testified in court about individualism and the value of ego, made this observation about the creative process:

No work is ever done collectively, by a majority decision. Every creative job is achieved under the guidance of a single individual thought. An architect requires a great many men to erect his building, but he does not ask them to vote on his design.

Roark’s testimony has become somewhat of a manifesto for the modern individualist. For those of us with the spiritual drive to pursue our creative vision, independent of other people’s opinions, we heed his words.

Because we value our instinct over their input. We treat unsolicited feedback as the disruption that it is, and don’t allow it to confuse our plans.

If that describes your personality as a creative person, welcome to the club. And the good news is, there are numerous tools to help uphold your cherished values as the ruler of your creative soul.

One that’s been a godsend for me is called the input embargo. Setting limits on the level and frequency of feedback during the creative process.

For example, if you’re feeling particularly vulnerable in the early stages of a new project, and scared of being persuaded out of something you really believe in, decline all input. Even if people send you their opinions on your designs, simply don’t read the comments.

Fight the urge. Do a feedback fast until such time that you’re confident enough to hear contrary opinions.

It requires a lot of restraint, but it’s worth it for the sake of your nervous system.

Similarly, never approach friends and family for validation on your new idea. Their bias of them knowing you too well will get your ego involved too early on in the process. Wait until your project is live and exists in the world before you tell your inner circle.

People spend years in those kinds of feedback loops, and it’s one of the chief reasons their projects never ship.

But by using the input embargo, they can reduce the number of project delays and derailments. Ultimately breaking the indecision cycle through the forcing function of setting healthy boundaries.

Now, there’s one final point about individualism we need to discuss.

If you are someone who judges yourself not according to other people’s opinions and standards, but on the basis of your own record of creative achievements and values, take caution.

Living a life of individualism and unhindered expression is deeply frustrating. For you and others.

Because if you’re impervious to people’s opinions, they’re not going to be happy about that. Nothing irritates people more than someone with a strong sense of self. When an individual doesn’t need to rely on the judgments of others in order to be content and satisfied with their creative identity, that’s a threat.

Some people will even stare at you with sudden resentment because they’ll sense your happiness, security and immunity to their opinions.

Stay strong. Stay true. You are still the architect of your life, and you don’t need other people to vote on its design.

How will you set boundaries with people whose is input not desired or required?