Are you confused about how to proceed with your hottest new idea or project? Puzzled? Baffled? Disoriented? If so, take heart. Confusion is not always a bad thing. In fact, it is often a natural and healthy part of the creative process. The weirdness enters when you start to judge yourself for being confused. Then, instead of benefitting from this normal stage of "not knowing" you end up in endless rounds of self-talk, procrastination and wasted worry—none of which will serve you on your way to creating something new and wonderful.

Promotional Consultant Today helps you get the most out of confusion with these tips.

What is confusion, really? Technically speaking, it's a state of mind in which the elements you are dealing with appear to be indiscriminately mixed, out of whack or you are unable to interpret them to your satisfaction. In other words, its a state of not knowing. Everyone from Einstein to Mickey Mouse has had this experience. It comes with the territory of exploring new horizons. Yet our fundamental discomfort with not knowing prevents us from mining the value of this time in which great breakthroughs can emerge.

There is no need to fight confusion. Let it be. You must pass through this stage on your road to creation. Fighting confusion only makes it worse. Even while your conscious mind is telling you you're confused, your subconscious mind is processing a mile a minute to come up with some pretty amazing solutions.

Look at it this way: First, we refuse (to have our status quo threatened). Then, we get confused (trying to sort out all the new input). Next, we try to diffuse the process (by regressing or denying.) Eventually, we get infused (inundated by new insights). And, finally, we get fused (connecting with previously unrelated elements to form a new and unified whole).

Your next step? Allow confusion to be what it is—the catalyst for new solutions in your life. And if you really can't stand the confusion, know there are some simple things you can do to move beyond it:

  1. Take a break from the problem at hand

  2. Get real clear about what's confusing you

  3. Talk about your confusion with trusted friends or co-workers

  4. Seek out missing information

  5. Redefine your problem or challenge

  6. Pay attention to your dreams and other clues bubbling up from your subconscious

Still confused about your next step? Let's make it clear. Read PCT, coming to your inbox tomorrow.

Source: Mitch Ditkoff is co-founder and president of Idea Champions, a highly acclaimed management consulting and training company headquartered in Woodstock, New York. He specializes in helping forward-thinking organizations go beyond business as usual, originate breakthrough products and services, and establish dynamic, sustainable cultures of innovation.