Mindset Transformation to Unlock Creativity
Fast Ways to Break Mental Barriers
Have you ever sat staring blankly, feeling your creativity slip away?
Or perhaps you’ve watched others have a seemingly effortless ability to bring ideas to life while you struggle at step one?
Believe me, I’ve been in both of these places. And, it matters little whether your project is a work idea, a new process or your latest creative art or work piece - the feeling is the same.
And, what I’ve learned as a writer and as a creativity coach is that the key to unlocking this creativity isn’t about finding more time or waiting for that golden beam of inspiration to hit, instead it’s about transforming your mindset.
Sounds implausible I know, but let me explain…
Understanding your Creative Mindset
Rather than creativity being a natural gift only given to a chosen few ’special’ people, it’s a natural ability we all have. Think of it like a muscle. If you strengthen and work on that muscle, it can be improved. Creativity is not a fixed trait. And, understanding this is your first step towards transformation.
Having a creative mindset isn’t about being artistic in the traditional sense, it’s about approaching life with curiosity, openness and a willingness to explore possibilities. It’s about seeing connections where others might see chaos and finding solutions where others see nothing but dead ends.
But, the truth is that our minds are often our biggest obstacles. Years of self-doubt, societal conditioning and that ever present fear of judgement all create mental barriers that feel impossible to get over.
The good news is, though, these barriers are more malleable than they first seem. Let’s get into it and see how…
Signs your Mindset is Blocking your Creativity
Before we can transform our mindset, we first need to recognise the signs that it’s holding us back. Here are some of the most common creative blocks I’ve come across in myself and those I coach.
Self doubt and imposter syndrome takes over and makes you believe you can’t do it or don’t have enough skills
Negative self-talk can be a constant nagging in your head with phrases like “you don’t have what it takes, you’re not good enough,” which paralyses and makes you freeze.
Perfectionism can make you think you can’t put anything out until it’s pristine, so you constantly work on it never releasing anything.
The other side of perfectionism is that you’re afraid to start working on things until you feel you can do them perfectly. This is simply fear pretending to be excellence.
Worry and fear of what others will say or think is a big one and puts you off from starting, so you won’t be in a vulnerable position.
Comparison-itis is a big problem when you’re feeling inadequate and you see someone doing something well and seemingly easily, it can make you wonder why you can’t do the same.
Believing there’s not enough time, resources or opportunities can really limit your creative potential before you even begin exploring it.
So, now we’ve listed some of the ways we self-sabotage and block our creativity, let’s look at how to work on these.
Embrace Imperfection
Instead of thinking of imperfection as a negative, see it as a necessary part of the creative process.
Every first draft I write is terrible and I hate writing first drafts but I know it’s a part I have to get through to get to the bit where I can really bring it alive.
Instead of thinking of this imperfection as a sign of your own weakness or lack of ability, reframe this as a system. It’s a necessary step along the way to get to the end result.
Develop a Growth Mindset
Replace thoughts of “I can’t” with “I can’t yet”. This reframe can really help open your mind to possibilities and puts a more positive spin on challenges.
Alongside this, when you face a challenge, ask yourself, “what can I learn from this?” That way you’re already thinking about how you can improve the situation the next time by implementing the things you’ve learned.
Create a Safe Space for Exploration
Carve out specific times and places to do your creative work, where judgement, especially self-judgement is not allowed. I love first thing on a morning, but you might prefer an evening or some other time.
You could start a morning journal practice, or make a weekly creative date with yourself, or carve out an area of your home where creativity is allowed to flow. I have a cosy chair in my office space for creativity.
Build Confidence Through the Small Stuff
If you start with smaller projects that you know you can complete quickly, you’ll give yourself some quick wins, which is an enormous boost and a way to motivate you to keep going, which is particularly important when starting something new.
Each of these small wins will give you the confidence to try another, and another until you’re fully committed and full of momentum for the bigger stuff.
Actionable Exercises to Help Get you Started
The Five Minute Flow
Set a timer for five minutes then create without stopping to think. Write, draw, brainstorm, mind-map, without editing or worrying if it’s any good, just get it out. You will be surprised at the results.
The goal isn’t to create something groundbreaking, instead it’s to prove to yourself that you can create on command. The more you do this, the more you’ll get better at it.
Mindset Journaling Prompts
Here’s a few prompts for you to try and just let your mind go and see where it takes you.
Try answering these questions -
> What would you create if you knew you couldn’t fail?
> When do you feel most alive?
> What story am I telling myself about my creative ability?
The Daily Creative Ritual
Choose one really small creative ritual to do every day for a week. It might be writing three sentences, taking one photograph, mapping out a project idea.
This one is all about consistency. Here you’re allowed to be imperfect, the idea is to train yourself to think creatively every day for a few minutes.
The Permission Slip Exercise
I’ve used this one before, but it’s such a good one I’m repeating it here. Write yourself a permission slip to create imperfectly, to experiment, to fail.
Keep it somewhere visible as a daily reminder that you don’t need external validation or perfectionism holding you back, you can just see where your creativity takes you.
Moving forward
Transforming your mindset isn’t a one-time thing, it’s a journey, a pathway and a very rewarding one.
When I first went down this path in 2024, I realised so many things about myself and my own mindset that I hadn’t even realised I’d been allowing to hold me back and it freed me in ways I never would have imagined.
Every time you choose to create despite fear, every time you embrace imperfection and every time you celebrate your wins, you’re rewiring your brain for creativity.
Remember creativity isn’t just for artists and writers, it’s also about how you approach life, solve problems and express yourself. So whether you’re a writer, artist or a business owner working on your next marketing strategy, your mindset is the key that can unlock limitless possibilities.
So, next time you feel stuck, try returning to these principles and remind yourself creativity isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present and willing to experiment. Your creative potential is waiting to be unlocked and starts with believing in the possibility of transformation.
What small step can you take today to begin that transformation of your creative mindset?
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