In this episode of Discovering You, host Victoria welcomes Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, senior research scientist at Yale and author of The Creativity Choice. Together, they explore the science behind creativity—dispelling myths, explaining how personality and mindset influence creative confidence, and offering strategies to overcome blocks. From the role of emotion regulation to the surprising power of frustration, Dr. Pringle shares actionable insights drawn from both research and personal experience. Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how creativity works—and how they can cultivate it in everyday life.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and DISC “TV Dads” Analogy

02:00 – Meet Dr. Zorana IPringle and her new book

04:00 – Childhood moment that sparked her fascination with creativity

06:00 – What is creativity? The science-backed definition

07:30 – Creativity beyond the arts: Engineering, relationships, and everyday life

08:30 – The Four Cs of Creativity: Mini, Little, Pro, and Big C

09:30 – Fixed vs. Growth Mindset and their influence on creativity

11:00 – Understanding creative self-efficacy and how it evolves through a project

13:00 – How introverts and extroverts experience creative confidence differently

15:00 – The emotional rollercoaster of creative work

17:00 – Emotion regulation and how it supports creativity

19:00 – Chronotype and your creative schedule

22:30 – Redefining creative productivity: Writing vs. rewriting

24:00 – Strategies for overcoming creative blocks

27:00 – Why psychological safety fuels innovation and collaboration

29:00 – Practicing what you preach: Zorana’s personal lessons writing the book

32:00 – Final takeaway: Creativity is a long-term, recommitted choice

Key Takeaways:

• Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s about solving problems in novel and effective ways, whether in business, relationships, or daily life.
• Creative confidence (self-efficacy) grows over time and doesn’t require being doubt-free.
• Mindset matters: Believing creativity can be developed helps unlock it.
• Emotions, even negative ones, can fuel innovation if understood and regulated well.
• Psychological safety is crucial for team creativity—it enables risk-taking without fear of punishment.
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach to being productive—know your chronotype and lean into your unique rhythm.

Notable Quote:

"Creativity is a choice. Not an easy one, but one you can recommit to—again and again—as you navigate the ups and downs of turning ideas into action."

Learn More: https://www.zorana-ivcevic-pringle.com/

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