How the art of average can lead to greatness

I’m back! It’s been a while since my last newsletter, so first off—THANK YOU for opening this email. Whether you’re curious about what Bead and Proceed has been doing, intrigued by the subject line, or simply looking for a break from work, I’m thrilled you’re here.

So, what’s new? I’m embracing a consistent approach this year. You’ll hear from me once a month, and I promise this won’t be a space for fluffy updates. Instead, you can count on thoughtful, actionable content packed with tools, resources, and insights to help you elevate your sustainability, creativity, and leadership.

Let’s make 2025 a year of growth—together.

Maybe this resonates: the constant need to get things perfect often stops us from even starting. Perfection isn’t just paralysing—it can even become an excuse. I’ve seen it in the sustainability space, where chasing “sustainable perfection” leads to burnout and decision paralysis.

But here’s the truth: progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about momentum. It’s the small, consistent actions we take—even when it feels like we’re getting nowhere—that add up over time.

So, here’s my promise: these newsletters will come once a month, imperfect but consistent. They may not resonate with everyone, but they’ll reflect the beauty of showing up, flaws and all.

Because being average isn’t a failure—it’s worth celebrating.

Why we need to celebrate Creative Averageness?

The word "average" originates from the Old French word avaria, which referred to "loss incurred during shipping" or "damaged goods"—a reminder that not everything arrives intact, but it still holds value. In creativity, this is a powerful lesson: when we obsess over perfection or attach our ego to a polished result, we stop ourselves from taking risks, trying new things, and embracing the messy process of making.

True innovation thrives when we let go of the fear of failure and embrace the idea that some creations might be "damaged goods." By celebrating our averageness—our imperfect attempts—we create space to test, experiment, and fail fast. These so-called failures aren’t wasted; they’re essential steps toward breakthroughs.

Making time to create for the sake of creating, without worrying about the outcome, is how we move past the "damage" and unlock our greatest ideas. It’s in the doing, not the perfect finish, that innovation is born.

And why does it need to specifically relate to something that is creative? Because nothing targets our vulnerability more than sharing what we have personally created. Creativity is inherently intimate - we pour our personal time, energy, and emotion into the work, exposing parts of ourselves we usually keep hidden.
 
And I believe, confidence is like a muscle. The more we practice this, the more we start to see positive shifts in both our personal and professional lives.

What’s the latest average creation you’re celebrating?