Some are blockers, some are builders
The most successful young people start with 'how', instead of 'no'.
I’ve noticed people fall in to two categories. Builders and blockers. More people come under one of the categories than the other. I’ll let you guess which!
Within the field I work people are expected to be problem solvers - but actually a lot of creatives are crippled with self-doubt and perfectionism, and it often gets in the way of solutions and new ideas.
People are envious of others who just ‘go for it’ and create something innovate. I find that weird. We can learn so much by being much more ready to embrace a problem and sort it creatively.
Most young people are naturally creative. Give a child a cardboard box and they’ll turn it into a spaceship, a castle, or a business headquarters before you’ve finished making a cup of tea.
Creativity comes naturally
However, as children grow into teenagers and then adults, they begin to absorb the attitudes of the people around them. Some learn to look at a challenge and immediately ask, ‘How could we make this work?’ Others learn to start with, ‘That won’t work because…’ Over time, those habits become part of their identity.
I often think of people as falling somewhere on a spectrum between builders and blockers. Builders see obstacles, but they don’t stop there they look for solutions. They understand that most worthwhile ideas start imperfectly and improve through effort, experimentation, and collaboration. They don’t assume success is guaranteed, but they’re willing to engage with the problem long enough to find a way forward.
Blockers, on the other hand, tend to lead with limitations. Their first instinct is to identify risk, difficulty, cost, or reasons why something cannot be done. Sometimes this comes from experience and caution, which can be valuable, but when caution becomes the default response to every new idea, progress slows to a crawl.
The good news is that being a ‘builder’ is something that can be learned.
One of the best lessons we can teach young people is that every problem has at least one possible next step. Not necessarily a complete solution, but a next step. Instead of asking whether something is possible, encourage them to ask what would make it possible. That small change in language alters how people think.
Creative young people also need opportunities to make things. Whether it’s writing, coding, designing, organising events, starting projects, or solving community problems, practical experience teaches them that ideas are only the beginning. Building requires patience, resilience, and the willingness to improve something over time.
“However, as children grow into teenagers and then adults, they begin to absorb the attitudes of the people around them. Some learn to look at a challenge and immediately ask, ‘How could we make this work?’ Others learn to start with, ‘That won’t work because…’ Over time, those habits become part of their identity.”
It’s equally important to allow room for failure. Many blockers develop their mindset because they’ve learned to avoid mistakes. Builders understand that mistakes are part of the process. They expect setbacks, learn from them, and keep moving. They don’t see failure as evidence that an idea was bad; they see it as information that helps make the next version better.
Perhaps the most important influence is the example set by adults. Young people pay far more attention to what we do than what we say. If they see parents, teachers, managers, and leaders responding to challenges with interest, determination, and problem-solving, they are more likely to adopt those behaviours themselves.
The best outcomes are people who can imagine something better and then help bring it into existence. Creativity provides the initial idea, but a builder’s mindset provides the momentum.
After all, some people start with ‘no’. Builders start with ‘how’.
Thanks for reading. I skipped a week last week for the first time in a while. It’s been a busy few months I suppose, and to be honest - I needed the break!
Always good to give yourself time when needed - but I’m back, and look forward to catching you again next week. 😊
“Beyond her exceptional teaching skills, HatchEd is delivered with warmth and empathy, combined with strong organisational abilities, creating a supportive and effective learning environment. The blend of professionalism and approachability sets her apart as both a teacher and an inspiration.”