How to overcome limiting beliefs to stimulate creativity and support innovation?

According to Adobe Global Study, as many as 75% of people believe that they are not using their creative potential. Many of us describe ourselves as uncreative, even though all of us are creative to a greater or lesser extent. So why do we only attribute creativity to artists, designers, or children, and let these limiting beliefs hold us back from being creative and innovating?

Surely there are people in your teams who are afraid of creativity. They assume that they are not creative and consider this a perfect excuse not to even try to come up with innovative concepts and creative solutions. Without even giving themselves a chance, they limit themselves and do not allow themselves to discover a different, perhaps better way of approaching a given task.

Creativity is one of the most important skills of the future, it can strengthen the personal brand and positively affect our value as a potential employee. It is therefore worth making an effort to reduce limiting beliefs and support the development of an innovative way of thinking. Let's take a look at some of the most common limiting beliefs around creativity and some ideas on how to overcome them. The next time you hear someone say, "Oh, it's too late for me to be creative," you'll know how to prove them wrong!

Myth 1: I am not creative

This is of course not true! Everyone can be creative. As children, we show a lot of curiosity and creativity, but unfortunately, as we grow older, we forget to nurture them. We stop being so curious about the world, we explore and discover less and less. We spend much less time practicing creativity every day. We develop certain limiting beliefs because our work begins to be judged by others and we fear rejection, belittling, or ridicule. We compare ourselves to other people and don't want to be seen as different or weird. Because of this, we tend to do things in exactly the same way that is accepted by most, allowing less and less creativity in our lives. The good news is that it can be changed! The creative life is in our hands and we can awaken our creativity at any time. Sounds great, right? All we have to do is… let it happen – find time and a supportive environment, stimulate our mind regularly and look for creative aspects in our daily activities, including our work.

Myth 2: I am too old

Creativity has no age limit. Many people discover their creativity in old age and experience the so-called. late bloom. The belief that all inventors are young is a myth. It's never too late to discover new things, come up with great ideas and create. Engaging in creative activities stimulates our brains and helps us feel happier, younger, and fulfilled. My 42-year-old friend devotes her time to creative coloring and creating amazing masterpieces using the diamond embroidery technique. It brings her relaxation, fun and stimulates her mind.

Myth 3: Creativity is a gift given to a few

Creativity, like any other skill, can be acquired and patiently developed. We make excuses, telling ourselves that we are not talented and cannot create. We don't have to be "special" to be creative. Learning to be creative by engaging in different creative processes, whether at work or at home, is the best thing you can do for your brain. Opportunities to be creative are everywhere. Certainly, there are various initiatives in your workplace where you can submit your ideas. In every company, in every position, there is usually a lot of potential to be creative. You just need to actively look for the right opportunities and exercise your mind regularly.

Myth 4: I just need to wait for the right moment

Bad news! That "special moment" won't come if you don't create it. Everything is in your hands. Isn't it a great feeling that you have an influence on your creativity? You can feel creative and do creative things in ordinary circumstances. There is no need to wait for some special moment or meticulous preparation. All you need is your good will and commitment, that's all. Don't wait for favorable circumstances, just act and create! Upload and share your creative ideas at work. Impress your boss by sharing your ideas for process improvements and changes that will result in better use of the tools available - things you can influence. It's motivating. You will see how rewarding it is to watch your ideas come to life and be put into practice. A unique moment is always within your reach!

Myth 5: You need high IQ to be creative

Being a child prodigy is not a prerequisite for creativity. Curiosity about the world is more important. Many artists and designers don't have a super high IQ, but they still explore the world around them. Only some of the children who later amazed the world were extraordinary right out of the cradle, many of them showed neither a spark of extraordinary talent nor a high IQ. For example, young Einstein was not a child prodigy at all, and for a long time he did not speak at all. IQ is not a requirement for creativity, and that's the beauty of it. Creativity is available to everyone, without limits (except those in our heads).

Myth 6: Being creative is hard

Is not! You don't have to become the next Picasso or Banksy. You don't have to invent the iPhone. You can implement the creative process in your immediate environment, like home and work. There are always plenty of opportunities to get creative, even with the simplest things, like optimizing an email template for clients or coming up with a creative vision for wall decoration. Creativity is simple and you don't have to create great things. By taking small steps, you can achieve results and make an impact, so let go of thinking that creativity is difficult. It can be adapted to your current skill level, so don't be afraid to implement it right away.

Creativity is a skill of the future that has a big positive impact on your work and can contribute to your personal success as well as many positive organizational changes. Start with our basic creativity training to learn how to let go of limiting beliefs and how to build a creative work environment!