Have you ever thought you either have a creative spark or you don’t? I used to worry that I was just an ordinary person trying to masquerade as someone imaginative. But guess what? Creativity isn’t just that sudden flash of genius, and it’s not limited to artists or those who are labeled “creative.” The secret ingredient to unlocking your creativity is actually persistence, as highlighted by researcher Sam Turner in a recent study.
In a fascinating series of studies published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers from Northwestern University asked participants to brainstorm unique Thanksgiving menu items. They worked in two 10-minute sessions with a break in between. After the first session, participants were asked to predict how many ideas they would generate next. Interestingly, they consistently underestimated their potential. The second session not only yielded more ideas but also much more creative ones.
This pattern continued in subsequent studies. For example, a group of comedians was asked to devise funny punchlines for scenarios. Even these professionals misjudged their creative output in the second round. Turner states, “People often underestimate how many creative ideas can emerge if they keep working on a problem instead of throwing in the towel after mediocre results.” The most innovative ideas often come after discarding the initial, less impressive ones. If you quit too soon, you might miss out on your best ideas.
I’ve found myself stuck while writing, thinking I’m not good enough—essentially giving up because the results weren’t stellar. But Turner reminds us that creative thinking is often a messy process, filled with trial and error. The “Aha!” moment may be just around the corner following a frustrating period. The first solutions are often just a warm-up; you have to push through that phase to reach the good stuff. What really sets apart the achievers is their determination.
So, I’ve adopted a new mantra that I’ll repeat to myself every time I sit down to write: Just keep going, even if it feels terrible. Dismiss the negative inner voice and the frustration that comes with every not-so-great idea. Just keep going. If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this helpful link. There is also a great resource for pregnancy and home insemination here.
In summary, creativity is a journey that requires perseverance. Embrace the messy process, push through the frustration, and you’ll find your best ideas waiting on the other side.