Enlightened Leadership Blog | Fueling the Chain Reaction of Creativity | November 2025

Have you encountered days that feel more like a business and life experiment than the execution of a strategic and well-aligned plan designed and controlled by you?

Although we equip ourselves with budgets, strategic plans, and long-range plans, research and metrics are not a foolproof way forward. We still have to figure stuff out as we go. We try a little bit of this, some of that, more of this, less of that.

We aren’t adults in chemistry class. There is no written procedure list for us to follow to ensure success. There is no careful measuring to prevent mistakes. There are no goggles to protect our eyes from an unforeseen mess.

We are capable experimenters and problem solvers, courageous explorers, and when we really let ourselves explore unleashed, we are bold creators. We are the ones igniting the chain reaction to fuel us forward.

Defining the Chain Reaction

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the phrase chain reaction? Chemistry? Physics? Fire? For purposes of this Enlightened Leadership piece, I’m referring to any situation that sets off another event and another, and so on.

You may be thinking, I do set off the events that are happening in my life.

Ask yourself this game-changing question, Am I setting off events in my life that I want to happen?

Anyone can set anything into motion. If we are combusting drama, angst, dread, we are fueling an unfulfilling chain reaction that fires up a peaceless fury.

Starting the Right Chain Reaction for You, Right Now

Starting anything new is challenging. How do we begin?

Look at the past with gratitude.
Commit to moving forward toward what you want.
Do a new thing; experience anything new to you.

Saying Yes vs Saying No

Starting a new series of events can create a sense of fear. How do you know you are starting with the right thing? You don’t know for sure. You do know yourself like no one knows you, so you will find your way.

What I’ve learned from experience is that what you say yes and no to and what you allow or invite into your life impact the entire chain of events (big and small) that follows.

Continuing the Chain vs. Stopping

When you move forward toward what you want, you open your mind more and more. It feels good and aligns with your goals and priorities as you step into the best version of yourself.

However, there are times when you set something in motion and realize it’s not for you, or you do not want more of it. That’s normal. And that is when you adjust accordingly.

Fueling the Chain Reaction of Creativity

When a chain reaction sets off another event and another, and so on, it can involve, or lead to, creativity. What do I mean?

Let’s walk through three examples, with each bullet representing part of the chain reaction. These examples are true to me and shared to help you reflect on events in your lives. As you read them, start thinking about how you have fueled your own chain reactions of creativity.

Watch a show to unwind and relax; discover new music

I enjoy watching a TV series or movie to relax. I loved the series Suits and my favorite character quickly became Donna played by Sarah Rafferty. The series ended.
When I heard that Sarah Rafferty was starring in My Life with the Walter Boys as Katherine, I was excited. I got immersed in the series, season two more than season one.
During season two, some of the music caught my attention. This led me to find the season two playlist. I listened to every song.
Then I created my first playlist for 2026 and a few of the standout songs made my list.

If I had not watched Suits to relax, I would not have watched My Life with the Walter Boys to unwind, and I would not have discovered new (to me) music to fuel me, or have been inspired to include this as a real-life, example here.

2. Commit to writing; publish a book

In 2020, I started journaling thoughts to promote professional and personal growth.
This led to creation of the Enlightened Leadership Blog on my company website Enlightened Leadership Blog – JLM & Associates Consulting.
My creativity was ignited and there was no turning it off. In August 2022, I committed to write my first book.
I immersed myself into this special project, got in a “zone” and got it done.
“Align Your Business with the Real You” was published April 29, 2025.
If I had not unleashed my desire to write in 2020, I would not have started the Enlightened Leadership Blog, and I would not have been in the creative mind space to crave an immersive writing experience, and the unrelenting desire to publish “Align Your Business with the Real You.”

3.Commit to experiencing something new; adopt a new hobby

While authoring my book, I committed to trying something new and exciting.
In fall of 2023, I booked my first horseback riding lesson. I find peace and calm when I’m with horses; this carries into my work and fuels me in ways I never imagined.
On April 29, 2025, the publication day for “Align Your Business with the Real You”, I went on my first horseback riding trail ride.
I wasn’t fixated on book sales or metrics or social media. I was fixated on doing something new to commemorate a special accomplishment, in nature, on a horse named Luna. Then, I was energized to get back to work.
Horses are part of the real me now. I experience calm during my time with horses. Afterwards, my clarity increases, decision-making quickens, creative thinking intensifies, and a sense of accomplishment lingers.

If I had not committed to trying something new on the day I launched something new, I would not have experienced my publication day for “Align Your Business with the Real You” on April 29, 2025 with a horse named Luna, in a way I will cherish forever.
After reading these examples, what examples from your experiences came to mind?

Applying the Chain Reaction of Creativity to Your Experience

Let’s go through an example together now.

Recall an outcome that you enjoyed or felt proud about accomplishing. It can be anything personal or work-related.

How far back can you trace the chain reaction of events that led to this positive outcome?

Do you remember saying yes or no along the chain reaction? To what did you say yes or no?

Did you make adjustments along the way? What were they?

Did this chain reaction involve, or lead to creativity? How so?

Keep Fueling

Keep fueling and exploring unleashed as bold creators. You can ignite the chain reaction to fuel yourself forward as many times as you want. It’s your fuel and your chain reaction. It’s your lived experience.

By Jennifer Musser

See more and order Align Your Business with the Real You Here The Book – JLM & Associates Consulting and Align Your Business with the Real You: Connect with Yourself, Create What Matters Most, and Define Your Success by Jennifer Musser | Barnes & Noble®

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