Creative vs. productive headspace?

Been thinking about how there are times when I am hyper focused on the task at hand. I can get a lot done extremely quickly when I’m in this headspace, and, logically, caffeine tends to help get there.

When I’m here, I’m way more focused on completion of the task than on the process and what I’m gathering along the way.

I spend the majority of my time here.

Creative headspace

In a creative headspace, I move way slower on the work I do. I am more thoughtful with each step, considering more options, with higher levels of scrutiny.

I observe and reflect along the process instead of flying through it.

This headspace is more fun to be in. The work feels more fulfilling and more challenging.

I also think I do a better job when I’m here.

In this space, failures hit harder, though. There’s more emotional investment, more tied to ego, closer to 100% effort, and it sucks when 100% isn’t enough.

Also, less in bulk amount of output is accomplished here because things move more slowly

Where?

There’s probably a nice balance somewhere between the two because both have their pros and cons.

The questions become: do way less to be in creative headspace more? how much less? depends where you want to go, I suppose. But when you don’t have the full picture of where one vs. the other will take you in the long run, the only way is to try it or find someone that has awesome articulation of this abstract idea.

Probably takes a deep understanding of your goals and personality too.