In this transformative episode of Discover Your Brilliance, Matthew Greger dives deep into the heart of creative expression—not as a talent reserved for a select few, but as a skill that everyone can grow. Through his teenage journey of learning to weld without guidance, Matthew reveals how failure is not the end but the birthplace of creativity.

Drawing from Think Brilliance and insights from his mentor Brendon Burchard, Matthew explores why creative expression matters, how curiosity fuels creativity, and the ripple effect creativity has on communities and teams. From battling perfectionism and fear of criticism to simple practices like daily journaling, doodling, or surrounding yourself with inspiration, this episode offers practical ways to unlock creativity in your everyday life.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not creative,” this episode will change your perspective. Creativity is a choice, a practice, and a path to becoming the fullest version of yourself.

Takeaways:

• Creativity is a skill that anyone can nurture; it's not just for the talented few.
• Failure is merely a stepping stone in the creative journey, not the end of the road.
• Curiosity is the fuel for creativity; ask 'what if' and explore new possibilities.
• Embrace the messy middle of creativity—it's where the real magic happens and growth occurs.
• Surround yourself with inspiration, whether from nature, art, or even the culinary world.
• Creative expression has a ripple effect, inspiring connection and innovation within communities.

Welcome to discover your Brilliance, the podcast that helps you unlock your potential and ignite the spark within.

I'm your host, Matthew Greger, certified high performance coach, author of Think Brilliance, and a passionate believer that curiosity and creativity can change everything.

Let's find your shine and light up the world.

Hi.

Welcome to discover your Brilliance, the podcast where we explore the power of curiosity and creativity to unlock your potential and ignite your unique brilliance.

I'm your host, Matthew Greger, and today we're diving into a topic that's not just important, it's transformative, and that's creative expression.

Let me start with a story.

When I was a teenager, I decided, really on a whim that I wanted to learn how to weld.

Now, I didn't have YouTube tutorials.

I didn't have much more than a manual to guide me and no mentor.

All I had was a library book, a welding rod, and a whole lot of curiosity.

The first time I tried, it was a disaster.

My welds were weak, brittle, and they fell apart the moment I tested them.

They just weren't good.

I remember staring at the mess I made, thinking, what am I doing?

Am I not cut out for this?

But then something clicked.

I realized that failure wasn't the end.

It was just part of the process.

So I kept going.

I experimented with angles, adjusting the grip, and practiced holding the rod steady to create that perfect arc.

Each attempt taught me something new, and I slowly, painfully slowly, I started to see progress.

But here's the thing.

It wasn't just about learning a skill.

It was about learning how to think differently.

Welding taught me that creativity isn't just about making something beautiful.

It's about solving problems, adapting to challenges, and finding new ways to approach the task in front of you.

Have you ever tried something new and felt like giving up?

That's where the magic happens.

That's where creativity comes alive.

Not in the moments when everything's easy, but in the moments when you're staring at a pile of broken welds wondering if you've got what it takes to keep going.

So you've got to just keep going.

So let me read a section from my book on creative expression.

Brendon Burchard, the world's leading life coach and motivational expert, as well as my personal mentor, says it best when he says that we all want meaningful pursuits, to pursue things in which we can find passion and enjoyment.

When we don't find those things, we are not creatively expressing who we are in our work or becoming who we want to become.

To achieve what we want to have in life.

He asks us to be fully engaged and to bring aliveness.

This is the vitality, enthusiasm, energy and joy and spirit into what we do.

By doing so, we are being who we truly are and creatively adding the value that we know we can.

Are you creatively expressive at work?

Are you being who you truly are and adding the value that you know you can creatively do?

Brendan's description of creative expression sets the tone for why creativity is important.

Engaging creatively, both personally and professionally, cultivates a vibrant and rewarding life.

This interaction between life and work boosts our capability to innovate, solve problems, and form deeper connections with others.

Now let's talk about why creative expression matters.

It's not just about art or music or writing.

Those are incredible outlets.

Creative expression is about how you approach life.

It's about how you solve problems, connect with others, and even how you see yourself.

Think about it.

Every time you try something new, every time you take a risk, you're engaging creative expression.

It's the act of putting something out into the world that didn't exist before, whether that's painting, a business idea, or even a conversation.

And here's the kicker.

Creativity isn't a talent reserved for a select few.

It's a skill.

It's a muscle you can build.

And like any muscle, it grows stronger the more you use it.

So how do you express yourself creatively in your life?

Maybe it's through your work, your hobbies, or even the way you solve everyday problems.

Take a moment to reflect on that.

It could be the way that you make your bed.

It could be the way that you cook.

You are expressing yourself creatively when you do those things, and you learn something new every time you do.

That can be applied in different areas of your life.

Now I know what you might be thinking.

Matthew, that sounds great, but I'm not a creative person.

And to that I say, nonsense.

Creativity isn't about being the next Picasso or Shakespeare or.

Or the next Master Chef.

It's about curiosity.

It's about asking, what if.

What if I tried this?

What if I took this thing and could make something out of it?

What if I looked at this problem from a different angle?

What if I gave myself permission to explore, even if I didn't know where it would lead?

In my book, Think Brilliance, I talk about the power of curiosity and creativity to solve problems and discover new ideas.

And one of the key takeaways of this is you don't have to have all the answers.

You just have to be willing to ask the questions.

Questions are one of my favorite things.

I know it can even drive my family, the people I work with, with all the questions that I ask.

So let's talk about the barriers to creativity.

Because let's face it, there are plenty.

Fear of criticism, perfectionism, self doubt.

These are the voices in our heads that say you're not good enough or why even bother?

But here's the truth.

Those voices are liars.

Creativity isn't about being perfect, about being brave.

It's about showing up when you're scared and saying, I'm going to try anyways.

One way to achieve these barriers is to start small.

I mean, really start small.

Commit to just 10 minutes a day of creative exploration.

It could be journaling, doodling, brainstorming ideas, whatever feels right for you.

And remember, it doesn't have to be perfect.

In fact, it shouldn't be.

Creativity thrives in the messy middle.

Meaning you don't need to be a mess, but the messy middle is just trying to figure it out.

When you're in that middle of trying to find the flow state, when you're trying to find the way to move forward, here's another tip.

Surround yourself with inspiration.

That could be reading books, visiting art galleries, taking a walk in nature, or watching your favorite cooking show, learning about gardening, taking a garden tour.

Just look@the gardenconservancy.org and you might find a garden tour in your area.

Those inspire me greatly.

Fill your mind with beauty and wonder, and watch how it sparks your own creativity.

So what's one small step you can take today to express your creativity?

All right, let's shift gears and talk about the ripple effect of creativity.

Because when you express your creativity, it doesn't just impact you, it impacts everyone around you.

Think about the last time someone shared something creative with you.

Maybe it was a story, a piece of art, or a fantastic meal, or even just an idea.

How did it make you feel?

Inspired?

Connected.

Seen, that's the power of creative expression.

It creates connections.

It fosters empathy.

It inspires others to tap into their own creativity.

Leaders who embrace this, who encourage creativity in their teams, don't just drive innovation.

They create cultures of brilliance.

So let me ask you, how can your creative expression create a ripple effect in your community?

As we wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with this thought.

Creativity isn't just about what you create.

It's about who you become in that process of creating.

So go out there, be curious, be bold, and most importantly, be you.

Thank you for Joining me on Discover your Brilliance if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who could use a little inspiration today.

Until next time, keep discovering your brilliance and find your shine.