Visual IDEAs Newsletter
Posts
What is the "Big Picture Paradox?"

What is the "Big Picture Paradox?"

In this issue: Victim mindset vs Opportunity Mindset, a deep dive into creativity, the "Big Picture Paradox" and why the grass is greener on the other side.

PJ Milani
July 29, 2025

🤔 INTERESTING

Illustration by milaniCREATIVE.art showing two contrasting responses to life’s challenges using a wave metaphor. In the top panel labeled “Victim Mindset,” a worried character crouches on a raft as a giant wave labeled “Life” looms behind them. In the bottom panel labeled “Opportunity Mindset,” a determined character stands up confidently on the same raft, ready to ride the same wave. The image contrasts fear versus empowerment in the face of adversity.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn

Defined by helplessness or defined by determination.

❝

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.

Randy Pausch

This issue of Visual IDEAs is brought to you by:

Create How-to Videos in Seconds with AI

Stop wasting time on repetitive explanations. Guidde’s AI creates stunning video guides in seconds—11x faster.

Turn boring docs into visual masterpieces
Save hours with AI-powered automation
Share or embed your guide anywhere

How it works: Click capture on the browser extension, and Guidde auto-generates step-by-step video guides with visuals, voiceover, and a call to action.

Best part? It’s 100% free.

👉 Download the extension now

📐 DESIGN

Youtube thumbnail for a podcast with PJ Milani (milanicreative) on the show Creator Alchemy with Corey Wilks.

Check out the full podcast here

I was thrilled to join my good buddy, Corey Wilks, Psy.D., on his podcast, Creator Alchemy a few weeks ago. We jump straight into this deep dive on:

creative philosophy
the psychology behind consistent output
how to overcame decades of creative paralysis
my approach to handling imposter syndrome
the constraints that fuel creativity
why "good enough" might be the secret to unlocking your creative potential.

You can also check out this awesome summary article Corey wrote with key takeaways (and visual metaphor examples!)

🔮 ENCHANTING

Illustration by milaniCREATIVE.art of a series of stepping stones leading across a blue river toward a distant red diamond on a small island. The closest stone is labeled “FOCUS HERE,” while the diamond is labeled “AIM HERE.” The foreground is clear, while the background is slightly blurred, emphasizing the message to focus on the next step while keeping the long-term goal in mind.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn

The “Big Picture Paradox”

The bigger your vision, the smaller your focus needs to be.

It's a bit counterintuitive, but those who achieve the impossible are not staring at the top of the mountain.

They're focusing on the next foothold.

🧠 ANALOGY

Illustration by milaniCREATIVE.art showing two panels about perception and effort. In the top panel, a small blue character stands on dry, yellow grass looking at greener grass ahead, with a label “What people want.” In the bottom panel, the same scene is shown again—but this time, a second character is revealed watering the green grass, labeled “What people don’t see.” The image conveys the message that desirable outcomes often come from unseen effort.

Share your thoughts on LinkedIn

The grass is greener where you water it.

🤓 WHAT I’M READING NOW

“Let’s Make Letters” by Kelcey Gray

One of my favorite bookstores is Kinokuniya (a Japanese hobby store/bookshop) where I always stumble across visual treasures. Last week's find: "Let's Make Letters!" by Kelcey Gray.

Of course, I got home and discovered it's selling on Amazon for a third of what I paid. Classic! 😅

But honestly? No regrets. The book is packed with exercises that'll actually level up my lettering skills, and sometimes supporting a great bookstore is worth the extra cost. Plus, there's something about discovering a book in person that Amazon just can't replicate.

An example of the lessons inside the book, Let's Make Letters

Highly visual book

An example of an exercise in the book, Let's Make Letters

Lots of fun exercises like this

Rate this week's newsletter:

Your feedback helps shape the best visual newsletter possible.

🔥 Loved it! | 👍 Solid. | 🫣 Could be better.

Say hi 👋🏻 on Twitter or LinkedIn

If you'd like to join the 26,223 subscribers getting Visual I.D.E.A.s straight into their inbox, subscribe below:

Thanks for reading! Reply any time with feedback or questions.

I made this newsletter with beehiiv, my favorite tool for easily creating and growing a newsletter.

When you’re ready, I’ve built a course to teach Thinking in Visual Metaphors: Join the Waiting List

*By making a purchase through any of our affiliate links, we receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us on our mission to provide quality visuals and education. Thank you for your support!

Reply

or to participate.