The 9-Second Version.
How you view your creativity shapes how far it can go. Seeing creativity as expandable rather than fixed is proven to lead to greater performance, confidence, and results.
Discover.
“I’m not the creative type.” “I’m full of self-doubt.” “I wish I had that kind of imagination.”
I hear versions of this all the time at events and workshops. But here’s what the science shows:
Your beliefs about your creativity directly affect how much of it you can access and apply.
A recent study of 948 university students provides a clear, data-driven look at how our beliefs about creativity affect our actual creative output.
Here’s the breakdown:
Seeing creativity as expandable predicts higher performance. Students who believed creativity could be developed scored significantly higher on creative thinking tests. A major factor was motivation: 33.3% of the boost was explained by increased motivation to be creative.
Seeing creativity as fixed predicts lower performance. Students who believed creativity was a fixed trait scored lower on the same tests.
This study builds on the famous, pioneering work of Carol Dweck by applying her mindset theory directly to creativity. It confirms: If you believe your creativity can grow, it’s far more likely to.
Think.
Do you see your creativity as a fixed trait, or a skill that can be stretched?
How might that belief be shaping your confidence, your ideas, or your willingness to share?
What might shift if you focused less on whether you’re creative, and more on how far you could expand your creative ability?
Do.
Adopt (or reinforce) your belief in expandable creativity.
Pick one quick way to put that belief into motion this week:
- Read the research cited above. Let data replace doubt.
- Write a future snapshot: Describe what a “highly creative version” of you might look like one year from now. What do they do differently?
- Test a new creative habit: Try free writing for 5 minutes, block time for uninterrupted idea generation, or share a budding idea in a meeting—especially if it makes you nervous.
Keep it simple and small. Incremental progress builds momentum.
To your creative success…
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About Josh
Josh Linkner is a New York Times bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, venture capital investor, professional jazz guitarist, and a globally recognized innovation expert. To learn more or to explore a collaboration, visit JoshLinkner.com