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Why It Can Be Harder for Creatives to Achieve Their Goals

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Perhaps, like me, you’re a very creative person. A dreamer. An idealist. And you have big goals and dreams you’d like to achieve. If that’s the case, I’m about to share information that will be very beneficial to you. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, this information is vital—I know so from experience.

The Dreaded Question

It was a hot, stuffy afternoon in Bangkok. We were having lunch at an outdoor food cart.

“So, how’s your business going?” asked my entrepreneur friend.

My heart accelerated. My body tensed up. I so disliked that question. “I’m getting there,” I mumbled between two bites of Pad Thai.

Almost a year before that, I had left my job and apartment in Montreal and flown to Thailand with the intention of “making it happen.” I spent that year in Thailand hustling, starting a bunch of projects and quitting them all, one after the other, most often due to being distracted by a new idea or simply losing interest. I wasn’t making any progress, and my savings were drying up.

“What’s wrong with me?” I remember thinking. The thing was that it wasn’t just that year in Thailand that was concerning; I had been hustling for five years, getting nowhere close to having a profitable business. “Why do most entrepreneurs I know have no problem building businesses, often in just a few months, and I can’t?”

I got the answer a year later.

It’s Because of Vata

A year later, I heard an Ayurvedic expert, Sahara Rose Ketabi, explain on her podcast why creatives (like me) often struggle to achieve their goals. It was one of those light-bulb moments.

Before I share this golden information with you, I think it’ll help to quickly explain what Ayurveda is.

Ayurveda is a holistic health system that comes from India. According to Ayurveda, there are three main archetypes or energy types (called “doshas”): Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each archetype has a specific set of characteristics that influence our physical health and psychology. Everyone has the three archetypes but in different proportions. We usually have one dosha or archetype that’s predominant.

Why does it matter?

Well, highly creative people tend to be predominantly Vata dosha. If you look at the characteristics of this dosha below, you’ll quickly understand why Vata can be problematic when it comes to pursuing goals.

Vata Dosha: The Creative Type

People who are predominantly Vata tend to be very “heady,” creative, and imaginative, with thousands of ideas constantly spinning in their heads like tornadoes. They may be artists, philosophers, or visionaries. They tend to be free-spirited and a bit obsessed with freedom. On top of that, they may also:

  • Change their minds often.
  • Get easily distracted and be very susceptible to “shiny object” syndrome.
  • Have difficulty focusing on one thing at a time.
  • Be massive multitaskers.
  • Get easily excited but then quickly lose interest and get bored.
  • Be good at starting projects but not at finishing them; they have difficulty following through on their ideas.
  • Be obsessed with freedom and “allergic” to structure.
  • Overthink their ideas, which commonly leads to “analysis paralysis,” anxiety, and even insomnia.

If you’re highly creative, you likely recognize yourself in some of the above. You can also already see why it can be difficult for Vata people to achieve their goals.

That being said, there are ways to make it easier for us creatives to succeed in life. The key is to enhance the qualities of the two other doshas within us. (Remember that we all have the three energies within us, just in different proportions.)

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” – Andrew Carnegie

Pitta Dosha: The Action-Taker

Pitta people are usually organized, active, and high achievers. They tend to have type A personalities and more self-discipline and willpower than the other archetypes, and they have no difficulty taking action and following through on their ideas. Contrary to Vata, they love structure and having routines.

On the downside, they may overwork themselves and experience burnout, and they can be impatient and controlling.

A typical Pitta person could efficiently work as a manager or CEO or be an entrepreneur. Athletes and politicians are also very Pitta.

Kapha Dosha: The Nurturer

The third archetype is Kapha. Kapha people tend to be naturally grounded and present. They are friendly and have a calm and nurturing energy. However, when their Kapha energy is out of balance (when it’s in excess), they can become lethargic and stuck.

How to Achieve Goals as Vata Dosha (the Creative Type)

Achieving goals is very Pitta. Therefore, to increase our chances of success, we must enhance the Pitta qualities within us. Plus, since Vata is very heady and prone to anxiety, it’s also essential to ground ourselves and be more present in our everyday tasks (i.e., enhance the Kapha within us).

Here are a few specific things you can do to help you achieve your goals as a creative:

  1. Make sure to write your goals down and read them every morning and night. That may be the simplest thing you can do to stay focused on your vision and avoid getting distracted. Although this strategy is beneficial to everyone, it is critical for highly creative people to achieve their goals.
  2. You can also write down why each goal is important to you and the benefits you’ll gain from achieving each goal; that will help you stay motivated and not lose interest in the middle of a project (it’ll help you follow through).
  3. Write down your top three priorities for the following day sometime the night before. Make sure to tackle those first. Vata people tend to be all over the place, and staying focused on what moves the needle is essential to make our goals come true.
  4. Practice ‘just in time’ learning—only feed your mind information you plan on using and implementing right away. This will reduce the risk of information overload and the feelings of anxiety that come with it.
  5. Try committing to one primary project at a time (or one idea or strategy) and finish it before starting a new one. Finishing what we start is an important habit to develop for success.
  6. Have an accountability buddy, join a mastermind, or hire a coach. It’ll help you stay focused on your goals and progress faster.
  7. Avoid multitasking. I know how difficult this can be for us Vata. I can eat lunch while watching a YouTube video and searching for something on the Internet all at the same time. But that’s just not efficient.
  8. Ground yourself daily, whether it’s by going for a walk in nature, practicing yoga, or doing breathing exercises or any other mindfulness practice you enjoy.

These Strategies Will Increase Your Chances of Success

Some highly creative people have enough Pitta energy to achieve their goals without too much difficulty. However, for very Vata people like me, it can be challenging to progress toward our vision. Thankfully, there are ways to make it easier on ourselves.

After years of inefficient hustle, I finally managed to become a location-independent entrepreneur. However, the journey was painful, and I wish I had known about Ayurveda ten years ago—it would have made my life so much easier!

I hope this information can serve you well, too.

Emilie is a certified life coach, spiritual entrepreneur, and creator from Canada (currently living in Mexico). She specializes in helping people clarify their purpose and make a profit from it (on their terms). You can get her free guide, “The Fastest Way to Uncover Your Purpose and Calling” or connect with her through her website consciousoriginals.com.

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Change Your Mindset

The Secret Daily Routines Behind History’s Most Brilliant Thinkers

Uncover the daily rituals and hidden habits that powered history’s most brilliant minds to success.

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Why Daily Rituals Matter

Every great achiever has one thing in common: discipline. Behind the novels, inventions, discoveries, and masterpieces are small, consistent habits repeated daily. (more…)

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Did You Know

How to Turn a Simple Link-in-Bio Into a Powerful Brand Hub

Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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Personal Development

These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident

Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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Success Advice

Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)

The surprising truth about leadership styles that can make or break your team’s success.

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Why one-size-fits-all leadership doesn’t work
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Leadership has always been as much about people as it is about performance. Ken Blanchard, in his influential book, “The One Minute Manager”, put it simply: different strokes for different folks. (more…)

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