You know that moment when you have a hundred ideas swirling in your head, and you can't seem to focus on any of them? Or when you start a project, and then you get a new idea, and you abandon the first project to start the new one? Yeah, that's your high openness talking.
In my twenty years of practice, I've sat across from hundreds of people who describe themselves as "scattered" or "unfocused." They're not lazy. They're not defective. They just have a brain that's wired to crave novelty. And in a world that celebrates focus, that can feel like a flaw.
But here's what I've learned: high openness isn't a flaw. It's a trait. And when you learn to work with it instead of against it, something magical happens. You start to focus. You start to finish. You start to thrive instead of just starting.
Let me tell you about my client Rachel. She came to me saying, "I have a hundred ideas, but I can't seem to finish any of them. I start something, and then I get a new idea, and I abandon the first one." Sound familiar?
Understanding Your Open Brain
First, let's get clear on what we're talking about. High openness is a personality trait that describes how open you are to new experiences. It means your brain craves novelty and variety. You're curious. You're creative. You're always looking for the next interesting thing.
But here's the thing: in a world that celebrates focus, high openness can feel like a flaw. You're supposed to be focused. You're supposed to be disciplined. You're supposed to finish what you start.
But here's the tricky part: when you have high openness, that focused approach feels inauthentic. It feels like you're trying to be someone you're not. And when you try to be someone you're not, you're not at your best.
Pause & Reflect: Think about the last time you tried to focus on one thing. How did it feel? Did it feel natural, or did it feel forced? Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
The Filter Metaphor
Think of your ideas like a river. When you have high openness, your ideas flow like a river. They flow and flow and flow. And if you don't filter them, they just keep flowing and flowing and flowing.
But here's the thing: that flow becomes overwhelming. It becomes a flood. It becomes a flood that drowns your best ideas.
I remember a client named Marcus who told me, "I have a hundred ideas, but I can't seem to finish any of them. I start something, and then I get a new idea, and I abandon the first one." That's the filter.
Why Your Brain Does This
Let me explain the neuroscience in simple terms. Your brain has a reward system. When you experience something new, your brain releases dopamine. That dopamine makes you feel good. It makes you want to explore more.
But here's the thing: when you have too many ideas, your reward system gets depleted. It's like a muscle that's been overworked. It needs rest. It needs recovery. It needs time to rebuild.
And here's the tricky part: when your reward system is depleted, you can't just "push through." You can't just "focus harder." You need to filter. You need to choose. You need to finish.
The Four Types of Idea Toxins
1. Idea Overload
This is when you have too many ideas. You have a hundred ideas swirling in your head, and you can't seem to focus on any of them.
Examples:
- Starting a project, and then getting a new idea and abandoning the first one
- Having a hundred ideas, but not being able to focus on any of them
- Starting multiple projects, but not finishing any of them
- Having a hundred ideas, but not being able to choose which one to focus on
Pause & Reflect: Think about your idea overload. What are you doing that's causing idea overload? Write it down. Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
2. Idea Abandonment
This is when you abandon ideas. You start something, and then you get a new idea, and you abandon the first one.
Examples:
- Starting a project, and then getting a new idea and abandoning the first one
- Starting multiple projects, but not finishing any of them
- Starting a project, and then getting bored and abandoning it
- Starting a project, and then getting a new idea and abandoning the first one
Pause & Reflect: Think about your idea abandonment. What are you doing that's causing idea abandonment? Write it down. Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
3. Idea Perfectionism
This is when you're a perfectionist about your ideas. You want your ideas to be perfect before you start. You want your ideas to be perfect before you share them.
Examples:
- Wanting your ideas to be perfect before you start
- Wanting your ideas to be perfect before you share them
- Wanting your ideas to be perfect before you finish them
- Wanting your ideas to be perfect before you share them
Pause & Reflect: Think about your idea perfectionism. What are you doing that's causing idea perfectionism? Write it down. Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
4. Idea Comparison
This is when you compare your ideas to others. You compare your ideas to others' ideas. You compare your ideas to others' success.
Examples:
- Comparing your ideas to others' ideas
- Comparing your ideas to others' success
- Comparing your ideas to others' success and feeling inadequate
- Comparing your ideas to others' success and feeling inadequate
Pause & Reflect: Think about your idea comparison. What are you doing that's causing idea comparison? Write it down. Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
The Filter Framework
Step 1: Identify Your Best Ideas
The first step is to identify your best ideas. You need to know which ideas are worth finishing. You need to know which ideas are worth focusing on.
Ask yourself:
- Which ideas excite me the most?
- Which ideas align with my goals?
- Which ideas align with my values?
- Which ideas align with my strengths?
Pause & Reflect: Think about your best ideas. What are they? Write them down. Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
Step 2: Filter Your Ideas
Once you've identified your best ideas, you need to filter your ideas. You need to choose which ideas to focus on. You need to choose which ideas to finish.
Example: Instead of having a hundred ideas, choose three. Choose three ideas to focus on. Choose three ideas to finish.
This isn't being unfocused. It's being strategic. It's filtering your ideas.
Step 3: Finish Your Best Ideas
Once you've filtered your ideas, you need to finish your best ideas. You need to finish what you start. You need to finish what you start.
Example: Instead of starting a hundred ideas, finish three. Finish three ideas. Finish what you start.
This isn't being unfocused. It's being strategic. It's finishing what you start.
Step 4: Reflect and Adjust
Once you've finished your best ideas, you need to reflect and adjust. You need to reflect on what worked and what didn't. You need to adjust as needed.
Example: At the end of each week, reflect on what worked and what didn't. Adjust as needed. Don't be afraid to change things up.
This isn't being weak. It's being strategic. It's adjusting as needed.
The Scripts That Actually Work
Let me give you some real, practical scripts you can use. These aren't perfect. They're not magic. But they're a starting point.
When You're Tempted to Start a New Idea
Instead of: "I'll just start this real quick."
Try: "I'm going to finish what I started first. I'll come back to this later."
You're not being unfocused. You're being strategic.
When Someone Asks Why You're Not Starting Something New
Instead of: "Sorry, I'm just scattered."
Try: "I'm finishing what I started first. I'll come back to this later."
You're not being unfocused. You're being strategic.
When You're Feeling Overwhelmed
Instead of: "I can't handle this. I'm too scattered."
Try: "I'm overwhelmed. That's okay. I'm going to finish what I started first. I'll come back to this later."
You're not being weak. You're being strategic.
The Long Game
Filtering your ideas isn't a one-time thing. It's a practice. You'll have days where you're focused. You'll have days where you're not. You'll have days where you're somewhere in between.
That's okay. That's human.
What matters is that you keep showing up. That you keep filtering your ideas. That you keep finishing what you start.
Because here's the truth: your high openness isn't a flaw. It's part of who you are. And when you learn to work with it, it becomes a strength. You become more focused. More finished. More fulfilled.
And that's a gift.
If this feels like a struggle you can't solve alone, it might be your unique wiring. High-openness people often need specific strategies that honor their creativity while building focus. Let's decode it together at MyTraitsLab.
