Stop Saying ‘I’m Not Creative’: Proven Steps to Rediscover Your Inner Innovator
You Were Born Creative—Let’s Bring It Back
You are a creative and creator at heart. Always have been. But somewhere along the way, that vital part of you may have gone dormant.
When did that happen? Maybe it was in elementary school when you were told to color inside the lines. Or the time you proudly shared something you made, and someone muttered, “That’s stupid.” Or perhaps it was when you dared to propose an innovative idea at work and were promptly told, “Stay in your lane.”
Here’s the truth: most of us lose touch with our creativity over time. The very quality that makes us uniquely human—the ability to create something out of nothing—gets muted. And yet, creativity is essential not only for achieving success but for living a life of meaning and significance.
The next time you hear someone say (or catch yourself thinking), “I’m just not creative,” gently push back. Creativity doesn’t vanish—it’s trained out of us. But here’s the good news: it can be trained back into us.
If you’re skeptical, try this thought experiment. Imagine walking into a classroom of 7-year-olds and asking if they can draw. Every hand will shoot up. Now picture asking those same kids a decade later—you’ll get excuses, eye rolls, or blank stares. When we get “serious” about life, we tend to leave our creative spark behind.
But losing creativity shuts down the very thing that enables us to solve problems, chase big goals, and live extraordinary lives. Creativity is the foundation of every solution, idea, and achievement that only you can bring to the table.
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Why Creativity is a Career Superpower
1. Creativity Fuels Innovation: New ideas spark innovation—the lifeblood of industries looking to grow and adapt. Innovators don’t just stand out; they rise up.
2. Creative Skills Are in Demand: Employers crave creativity, especially in leadership roles. These skills don’t just set you apart—they increase your earning potential.
3. Better Problem-Solving: Creative thinkers bring fresh solutions to challenges, making them indispensable—and well-compensated.
4. Entrepreneurial Edge: Creativity is the foundation of entrepreneurship, opening doors to market-changing ideas and financial success.
5. Learning Agility: Creative people adapt quickly and thrive in complexity. These traits open up opportunities others might miss.
Research backs this up. Harvard Business Review found that creativity enhances both leadership and financial success. Adobe reports that companies investing in creativity see higher growth. Gallup found teams embracing innovation are 20% more productive.
The bottom line: Creativity and innovation aren’t optional extras—they’re career and income game-changers.
Rekindle Your Creative Spark
Here’s the good news: creativity can be reignited. It starts with letting yourself dream and entertaining new ideas. For example, should I write a book about creativity? See what I did there? I entertained the idea and turned it into a possibility. That’s a habit you can develop too.
Until I decide on that book, here’s a list of creativity-enhancing lifestyle changes you can try.
Plus, check out a bonus video where I share how I built my first creative career, selling millions of albums in 15 countries. And don’t miss my guest episode on the Shoot To The Top podcast, where I share how I structure my day for maximum creativity.
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