Some of the greatest performers and creative geniuses of our time are so successful because they have insecurities.

In general, having low self-esteem and insecurities in one’s abilities can spur people on to become more creative than their secure counterparts, research investigations have recently found.

Insecurities and Biochemistry

In her book Molecules Of Emotion: The Science Behind Mind-Body Medicine, neuroscientist Dr. Candace Pert explains that peptides, the chemicals in our bodies that equate to emotions, are released more when we have insecure thoughts about ourselves.

These insecurities trigger peptides to be released which bring on a biochemical release of amino acid chains, which causes a firing of neurons that open up the left and right side of the brain in order for the individual to be more creative.

Why Insecure People Get Creative

Socially, this can be explained in a different way to the scientific explanation involving biochemicals and peptides.

Insecure people are generally quite negative about other people, situations and themselves. To counteract the negative feelings, insecure people get creative.

They do things that inspire themselves and possibly others. These negative tendencies can lead to discovering and creating amazing things, but insecure people may not be satisfied by what they achieve.

Creating things and making something incredible is a way that insecure people can prove their worth. By writing songs that touch the hearts of thousands or creating business ideas that will set them up financially for the rest of their lives, being creative allows insecure people to validate themselves and their insecurities.

Having low self-esteem is simply one way to get the creative juices flowing and whilst secure people can be creative geniuses too, this is simply one of the newest findings from psychological research.

Everyone Has Insecurities

Even people we know to be creative geniuses such as Meryl Streep have admitted to having insecurities that spur them on.

I have varying degrees of confidence and self-loathing,” she explained in previous interviews. “You can have a perfectly horrible day where you doubt your talent… Or that you’re boring and they’re going to find out that you don’t know what you’re doing.

The trick is to harness your insecurities and use them to your advantage. What do you feel insecure about? Write a list and brainstorm ways you can get around this feeling and turn it into something magical.

What do you think about this research? Have your insecurities ever spurred you on to do something creative? I can think of a couple of times mine have personally, and I’d love to hear about yours in the comments.

References:

  1. http://www.lifehack.org

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