The joy of the creative act always comes with hot waves of frustration—even desperation. Why?
Because our brain is a master at visualizing ideal results.
But imagination is usually far ahead of our skills—and developing them takes patience and practice.
We just can’t catch up.
Radio producer Ira Glass called this The Taste Gap—the space between our ability to envision something extraordinary and our current ability to manifest it.
To fix the gap the following three steps can help:
Step 1 — Acknowledge Frustration
The heat sparked by frustration is part of the deal.
Every artist, designer, or entrepreneur knows it’s there, lurking behind every corner that leads to innovation and quality.
Step 2 — Reinterpret Frustration
What if frustration is benevolent? What if it’s the universe’s way of asking:
How serious are you about this?
Frustration isn’t a wall—it’s a stress test for your desire.
Step 3 — Use it
What does frustration in the creative process actually tell us? Could it be a sign that we’re on to something that truly matters to us?
If we start seeing it as a hint of meaning, frustration can become our compass.
Use the Heat
So, the goal isn’t to avoid the heat, but to seek, embrace it, and use it.
A creative mind always gravitates towards unfamiliar territories, because it knows that’s the place where deep excitement and real growth are waiting.
Bottom Line
Frustration isn’t the enemy.
It’s our creative companion,
our dance partner,
and our navigator
on the odyssey toward a life full of meaning and adventure.
Return to the Notebook
If this sparked something in you—a memory, a disagreement, a question, or a story—write it down.
Not polished. Not perfect. Not for approval.
Just honest thoughts.
And if you’d like, send it to me. I’d love to hear it. I’ll be sharing selected reader reflections in my Open Notebook, alongside my own raw extended versions of Tuesday Thoughts.
Thanks for your valuable Attention.
See you tomorrow.
Sergio