Creativity and Praising Effort Deliver Long-Term Success

While praising innate abilities such as intelligence may provide a short-lived ego boost, it can also create a fixed mindset that stifles growth. Conversely, celebrating effort fosters a growth mindset and sets the stage for continuous improvement and success. But how can creativity enhance the effectiveness of praising effort? Let’s explore the profound connection between effort, creativity, and long-term success. 

The Problem with Praising Intelligence and Talent

Traditionally, society has placed a significant emphasis on praising intelligence and talent. While acknowledging someone's innate abilities may seem like a positive reinforcement, it can have detrimental effects in the long run. When individuals are consistently praised for their intelligence or talent, they may develop a fixed mindset. This mindset implies that abilities are static and cannot be changed, leading to several problems:

Fear of Failure: People who believe that their intelligence or talent is fixed become risk-averse. They avoid challenges that could potentially expose their limitations, fearing that failure would undermine their perceived innate abilities.

Reduced Resilience: A fixed mindset makes individuals less resilient in the face of setbacks. When they encounter difficulties or obstacles, they are more likely to give up, believing that they lack the innate capacity to overcome these challenges.

Stunted Growth: Those who are focused on preserving their existing intelligence or talent are less inclined to invest the time and effort needed for growth and improvement. They miss out on opportunities for personal development.

The Power of Praising Effort

In contrast, praising effort encourages a growth mindset, where individuals believe that they can develop their abilities through hard work, dedication, and learning from their mistakes. This mindset shift has been linked to greater long-term success. Here's how praising effort can lead to success:

Encourages Resilience: When effort is celebrated, individuals are more likely to persevere through challenges. They view setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as signs of their inadequacy.

Promotes Continuous Improvement: Praising effort encourages individuals to focus on the process rather than the outcome. They are more willing to put in the work required for improvement, leading to tangible progress over time.

Builds Confidence: The sense of accomplishment derived from putting in effort and seeing improvement boosts self-confidence. This, in turn, motivates individuals to tackle more significant challenges.

Unleashing Creativity to Boost Effort

Creativity plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of praising effort. When we encourage creativity alongside effort, we create an environment that fosters innovation, problem-solving, and adaptability. Here's how creativity and effort are interconnected:

Problem Solving: Creative thinking allows individuals to approach challenges from different angles, increasing their ability to find solutions. When effort is praised in a creative context, individuals are more likely to experiment and persevere in finding unique answers to problems.

Adaptability: Creativity encourages individuals to think outside the box and adapt to changing circumstances. Those who are praised for their effort within a creative framework develop the resilience to navigate unexpected challenges effectively.

Intrinsic Motivation: Creativity often springs from intrinsic motivation – the joy of exploring new ideas and possibilities. When effort is coupled with creative pursuits, individuals are more likely to maintain their enthusiasm and commitment to their goals.

In a world that values innate intelligence and talent, it is crucial to recognize the long-term benefits of praising effort. By doing so, we foster a growth mindset that promotes resilience, continuous improvement, and self-confidence. However, the power of praising effort is amplified when combined with creativity. Creativity not only enhances problem-solving and adaptability but also fuels intrinsic motivation.