The Inner Studio - Riverside Architectural Press

PART FIVE | USING THIS LIFE TO BE CREATIVE AND WISE
way you are less likely to get stuck. Always have a fresh relationship
to your ideas. The stewing time is what you do when you
move between the three modes.
Jung suggested that when we become identified with our principle
function, we look down on our inferior function. The
problem is that we then begin to look down on other people who
may have this as their principle function. From this observation,
we can understand the value of not becoming too identified with
out own principle function and the value of self-reflection, particularly
when your relational world becomes charged.
Thinking Too Much
It is not uncommon in the design process to find ourselves “overthinking”
what we are doing and blocking our own creativity. But
like the other ways of getting stuck, thinking too much has a role
to play in design.
How do we recognize when we are thinking too much? The first
step is to become aware and accept that it is happening, so that we
can make a conscious decision to do something about it. The next
step is to find out exactly what is going on. Becoming conscious,
aware, or mindful of what we are actually doing is like turning on
a light. Once we have shed some light on the situation, we can see
what is happening and know what to do. Awareness gives us access
to more of our resources and helps us make better decisions. It is
also a gift because it allows us learn about the parts of ourselves
that we may have lost or given away long ago.
Obsessing about something or someone is not the same as thinking
too much. If that is what we are doing, we need to find out why
we are projecting so much of our mental energy onto that person or
thing. Why are we not putting this energy into ourselves? If we’re
obsessing about whether we will be successful or not, then we need
to ask why it is so important to us? We may never have realized that
we are putting so much life energy into this. We may not even know
what we want or what moves us. We may never have asked the
question, “What are my personal needs and desires?”
If our obsessive thinking is about our need to control people
and events around us, we need to become aware of it. If we accept
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