The Creativity Choice

The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action

Regular Price $30.00

Regular Price $40.00 CAD

Regular Price $30.00

Regular Price $40.00 CAD

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On Sale

May 6, 2025

Page Count

304 Pages

ISBN-13

9781541704329

Description

Based on twenty years of research, a Yale scientist dispels the myth that creativity is a trait that you’re born with—instead, creativity is a decision that you make again and again

Anyone who has ever participated in a brainstorming session will know that most of us do not lack ideas. Yet, many people never breathe life into these ideas. To turn inspiration into real achievement, you must decide to act—and then decide to act again and again, despite obstacles, until your thoughts take shape and come to life. This is what psychologist Zorana Ivcevic Pringle calls the creativity choice.

Drawing on decades of research into the science of creativity, The Creativity Choice teaches readers how to bring ideas out of your mind and into the world. With stories ranging from an entrepreneur who built a national nonprofit, to a YouTuber who turned a hobby into a professional career, to a business leader who established a company culture of innovation, Pringle illuminates how people make creative ideas happen. She shows what it takes to get started, the psychological and emotional tools needed to navigate the creative process, and the social conditions that allow creativity to succeed. Through this book, you’ll learn how to bridge the gap between having the first spark of an idea and actually doing something with it. 

Praise

“In this groundbreaking book, Zorana Ivcevic Pringle shatters the myth that creativity is an innate gift reserved for the fortunate few. Instead, she unveils a powerful framework that reframes creativity as a series of deliberate choices that anyone can make. Whether you’re tackling an ambitious project or seeking fresh inspiration in daily life, The Creativity Choice equips you with the tools to transform your ideas into impactful action and meaningful accomplishment.”
  —Marc Brackett, bestselling author of Permission to Feel
“Consider this book your creativity coach: it shows how anyone can embrace creativity in their everyday lives. A must-read for all who want to grow their own creativity, support the creativity of a team, and lead for creativity and innovation.”
  —Scott Barry Kaufman, coauthor of Wired to Create
“As a scientist-turned-biotech CEO, I never thought of myself as ‘creative’ until I read The Creativity Choice. This book challenged my views and beliefs, illustrating how small decisions and persistence can lead to transformative ideas and actions, much like scaling a startup. Pringle masterfully blends personal stories, cultural insights, and the role of emotions in daily life to illuminate the science behind turning ideas into action. She offers an inspiring and practical guide for anyone who seeks to harness creativity.”
  —Marina Udier, CEO, Nouscom
“A must-read for anyone who values creativity. A thought-provoking book that is rooted in science, storytelling, and daily realities. I enjoyed the insights that will allow you to find your own creative influences.”
  —Kim Schaefer, CEO, Museum of Illusions
“As someone who’s spent a career helping innovators and entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and into the public domain, I’m grateful for Pringle’s work. I’ve never read a clearer, more thoroughly researched, or more thoughtful framework for why to be creative, and how we can all nurture creativity as a skillset. In the age of AI, when the last thing that will set humanity apart from machines is our creativity, I cannot think of a timelier moment for this book.”
  —Kate Goodall, cofounder, Halcyon, and managing partner of Halcyon Venture Partners
“I am always impressed by the creativity of Pringle’s research on creativity. In a scientifically based book that is very readable, Pringle marshals evidence from the psychology laboratory, interviews with especially creative people, and real-world settings to provide hope that we can all be more creative. You will enjoy reading this book and, more importantly, it will impact your life!”
  —Peter Salovey, Sterling Professor of Psychology and president emeritus, Yale University
“While the outcomes of creativity can be beautiful, enervating, inspiring, even life-changing, the process of creativity is often messy, frustrating, confusing, even painful. Pringle’s insightful approach takes away the mystery of creativity and offers pragmatic strategies for reclaiming it as a skill that can be cultivated and practiced. Creativity should bring joy to our lives, and this book helps readers reclaim it has their own.”
  —Anne Fullenkamp, senior director of creative experiences, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
“I’ve seen the impact of creativity in helping over one thousand ODF startups launch and raise over two billion dollars. The Creativity Choice will help those seeking to overcome rigid or stifling environments and turn ideas into action.”
  —Julian Weisser, CEO, ODF
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