Confident Creator with Derek L. Zboran
When we stop striving and start becoming, creative joy naturally follows. Confident Creator is your invitation to rediscover creative joy through science, story, and playful action. Join Derek L. Zboran each week as he experiments with positive psychology tools in real life, talks with inspiring creators, and unpacks the science of less striving and more becoming. This is your strengths-based space for creative growth! A production of Golden Fleece Books.
Confident Creator with Derek L. Zboran
Broaden and Build: How Play Expands Creative Confidence
Discover why the most confident creators prioritize fun and play, and learn a practical exercise to identify playful activities that align with your strengths.
Key Concepts Covered:
The Fun-Confidence Connection
- Confident creators have fun regularly, even when busy
- Play makes you more resourceful, engaged, and confident
- Angela Duckworth's research on grit emphasizes discovery and exploration
The Strengths-to-Play Exercise
- Map your character strengths to areas of creative play
- Left side: List your signature strengths (use VIA assessment or self-identify)
- Right side: List specific areas you'd like to play in (podcasting, drawing, music, writing, etc.)
- Draw connections between strengths and play areas
- Get specific: Don't just say "music"—say "learn to play 'Johnny B. Goode' on guitar"
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson's Broaden and Build Theory
- Foundation: Positive emotions
- Broadening: Novel thoughts, activities, and relationships
- Building: Enduring personal resources (skills, resilience, social support)
- Result: Enhanced health and fulfillment
- Creates an upward spiral of continued growth
The Takeaway: Play creates positive emotions → broadens your perspective → builds lasting resources → increases confidence as a creator
Additional Resources:
VIA Character Strengths Assessment: https://www.viacharacter.org/account/register
Broaden and Build according to Dr. Barbara Fredrickson: https://youtu.be/Z7dFDHzV36g?si=y09x6wknxk59Qg0N
Book Mentioned: Grit by Angela Duckworth
Want to document your own confident creator journey? https://triumphwithyourtalk.com/