A top psychologist explains why self-doubt makes you creative

There are lot of benefits to being overconfident. Creativity might not be one of them.In a TED talk given earlier this year, psychologist Adam Grant explained how history's most innovative thinkerspeople who Grant calls "originals"manage to dazzle others with their fresh ideas.His conclusion: Self-doubt goes a long way.The research behind Grant's talk comes from his recently published book, "Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World." It explores creativity from behind the scenes, as Grant tries to learn what makes the most innovative people tick and offer tips for becoming more like them.As Grant explains in his talk, the kind of doubt that's useful to originals is a doubt that rejects the default option. Grant uses the example of internet browsers. He explains how people who actively seek out and download Google Chrome and Firefox tend to outperform and outlast people who use Internet Explorer and Safari, the default options on PCs and Macs.While simplistic, the example hints at the true power of doubt, Grant continues.When you're producing something original, there is the tendency to think the first idea must be the right idea (otherwise, you would have thought of something else).But Grant's research into originals argues people should be a little more patient with themselves. They should entertain the idea that they can come up with something truly brilliant; they just haven't given it enough time to rise to the surface.That's why self-doubt can lead to creativity: If you don't doubt yourself, you'll be more likely to accept your first idea as the most creative oneor, worse, the only one. Doubt pries open the window of possibilities.What Grant doesn't want people to do is internalize that doubt. In his talk, he offers a visualization of the creative process:This is awesomeThis is trickyThis is crapI am crapThis might be OKThis is awesomeThe problem, Grant says, is self-doubt too often paralyzes people at step 4. The doubt they feel about an idea becomes an all-consuming doubt about themselves and their abilities to create."And so the key to being original," Grant explains, "is just a simple thing of avoiding the leap from step three to step four. Instead of saying, 'I'm crap,' you say, 'The first few drafts are always crap, and I'm just not there yet.'"So doubt yourself, but only as a generator of new ideas. The best ones just need some time to be discovered.Join the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: Silicon Valley's most creative designer reveals the next wave of innovation ' and we can't wait
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