Dear Creativity,
I know you have watched me grow my creative toolkit, that little collection of tools I keep within reach—my bullet journal, colorful pens, calming scents, and small reminders that creativity is magical. It’s not just about pretty things. These are the items that help me listen to you, Creativity, and turn ideas into something real.
I was taking notes from a course I’m in on developing clear customer paths— the kind that guide people from first hearing about your work to becoming not just clients, but champions of it.
In the middle of all the strategy lessons, two sentences made me stop and scribble them down:
The right tools amplify strategy. The wrong tools create chaos.
Naturally, my mind went straight to journals.
I’ve tried so many—Commit30, Ink+Volt, Passion Planner, Laconic, you name it. Each had features I loved, but none fully fit the way I work. Some added structure that suffocated me, others left me too adrift. Eventually, I came back to the bullet journal.
At first, those blank pages intimidated me. But I’ve learned the minimal base structure is exactly what I need—it gives me the freedom to shape the process my way. Over time, I’ve pulled the best bits from everything I’ve tried and blended them into something that works for me and lets it evolve as I do.
I’m realizing that when I trust our partnership, Creativity, the right tools reveal themselves and amplify strategy. When I don’t trust it, I grab whatever’s closest—and chaos follows.
This has me wondering… what would happen if we trusted the tools that feel right, even if they look nothing like what anyone else is using?
Innovatively yours,
Dr. Abigail
