London Writers' Salon cover image

London Writers' Salon

#135: Anne-Laure Le Cunff — The Science of Creativity: Using Tiny Experiments to Unlock Growth, Learning, and Better Writing

Mar 8, 2025
In this captivating discussion, Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a former Google digital health lead turned neuroscientist and founder of Ness Labs, shares her journey in creativity and writing. She discusses using tiny experiments to break free from traditional career paths, shifting her focus to writing in public, and growing her newsletter to over 100K subscribers. Anne-Laure delves into the psychology of procrastination as a tool for self-discovery and emphasizes flexible ambition over rigid goals, inviting listeners to embrace curiosity in their creative journeys.
01:08:13

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Redefining success involves adopting a personalized and experimental mindset to alleviate feelings of inadequacy and social comparison.
  • Embracing a flexible approach to goal setting allows individuals to view their ambitions as hypotheses, fostering adaptability in the creative process.

Deep dives

The Challenge of Social Comparison

Climbing the social ladder can lead to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy when comparing oneself to peers. Individuals often question their own progress and success by observing those around them who seem to be advancing more quickly or achieving more significant milestones. This social comparison fosters a detrimental mindset, where perceived failures can overshadow legitimate accomplishments, creating unnecessary pressure. The podcast emphasizes the importance of redefining success to alleviate these harmful feelings, encouraging listeners to adopt a more personal and experimental approach to their ambitions.

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