Creative Mindset’s Value for Entrepreneurs
You are what you think you are. This is not news. Our parents told us that since we opened our eyes. All the psychology books tell us this. So why do we keep on telling ourselves stories about what we can and cannot do and believe it? The most pressing question that you have to ask yourself as an entrepreneur is whether or not your brand can survive the stories you tell yourself. And the number one story that I hear is: “but I am not as creative as you.”
Self-worth vs Self Confidence
I have recently listened to a Goal Digger podcast episode with the theme “Your Self-Worth is your Ceiling.” In essence, it is about your self-worth and how our self-worth determines our level of success or not. Jenna Kutcher was in conversation with Jamie Kern Lima who is amongst others on the Forbes list of America’s Richest Women.
Yes, we all get it. We have to improve our self-worth. Not just self-confidence. Self-confidence is what you need to stand up in front of a bunch of people and talk your heart out. It comes and goes, whether you like it or not. Self-worth is the stuff deep down inside. And yes, in my opinion, you do not need to stand up in front of a crowd if you have a strong self-worth. You know what you know. You do not need to splash a lot of money to impress people. You know what you know. That is self-worth. The stuff that is directly correlated to the stories we tell ourselves. Positive Psychology 101.
Can we Get Out of Our Heads?
How many times have you heard yourself or someone else says: “but I am not a delegator,” or “I just don’t have your business savvy.” Navigating the stories we weave around our self-worth can either set us on a course toward success or anchor us in self-doubt. Small business owners and entrepreneurs, especially those grappling with a negative self-perception, should recognize how the stories they tell themselves impact their professional journeys. In addressing creativity, entrepreneurial skills, fitness, health, and the ultimate realization of business goals, the switch from a limiting mindset to an empowering one can be transformative.
The Starting Point to a Creative Mindset
The starting point is to understand that our internal dialogue—what we tell ourselves about our creativity and vision—can deeply influence how we externalize those thoughts into actions. For individuals who doubt their creativity, because they don’t fit the traditional mold of an artist or designer, there is a need to recalibrate this narrative.
Step 1: Recognize Your Unique Form of Creativity
Begin by listing past instances where you solved a problem uniquely or contributed an idea that swayed a decision or improved a process. Creativity isn’t confined to the arts; it’s prevalent in how you strategize, innovate, and adapt in the business domain.
Step 2: Reinforce a Growth Mindset
Adopt the principle that creativity is a skill that can be developed over time with practice. Encourage yourself to pursue learning opportunities, whether it’s a workshop on design thinking or a course on creative entrepreneurship.
Step 3: Challenge and Redefine Self-Imposed Limits
Confront the beliefs that question your entrepreneurial skills. Turn each doubt into a question to probe further: if you believe you’re not a ‘natural’ leader, ask what qualities you think a leader should possess and how you can cultivate them.
Step 4: Create a Healthy, Forward-Looking Self-Narrative
Forge a correlation between self-care and professional efficacy. Positive habits in fitness and nutrition enhance your energy levels and cognitive function, indirectly influencing your creativity and business performance.
Step 5: Visualize and Affirm Your Success
Visualization isn’t mere daydreaming but a strategic approach to goal setting. Engage regularly in envisioning your business milestones and affirming your path to success, focusing on the progress made rather than the perfection sought.
Remember, creativity is a spectrum. It doesn’t matter what others think as long as you persistently explore and hone your ingenuity without self-restriction.
By overhauling the stories that insist you lack creativity or entrepreneurial skills, you recalibrate your internal compass toward fulfilling your business aspirations. More than just a professional requirement, this process of rewriting limiting self-beliefs is a deep personal investment in becoming the most unrestricted, resourceful version of yourself.
Embrace your journey with a dynamic outlook. Your creativity is not defined by comparisons but by the uniqueness of your vision and the passion you pour into realizing it.
