Creativity Coaching Isn’t a Fad — It’s a Response to a Real Need
Let’s set the record straight: creativity coaching isn’t just some flash in the pan trend. It’s not woo-woo, wishy-washy, or a weird side-hustle for failed artists. It’s a grounded, growing profession, and the data backs that up.

So… what actually is creativity coaching?
Creativity coaching is specialised support for people who want to live and work more creatively, whether they’re professional artists, side hustling makers, or anyone with a spark they’re ready to stoke. A good creativity coach isn’t just waving pom-poms from the sidelines; they’ve usually walked the creative path themselves. They know the highs, the lows, the blank pages, the burnout, the breakthroughs.

It’s not therapy. It’s not business consulting. It’s personal, purposeful, and tailored to helping you show up for the creative work that matters most to you.

“But I’ve tried brainstorming and it was a waste of time…”
You’re not alone. Some creatives have had a bad run in with group brainstorming sessions or forced idea workshops that left them feeling drained and underwhelmed. And the research agrees, classic brainstorming (especially in big groups) often leads to fewer quality ideas, groupthink, and watered down contributions.

But here’s the thing: those critiques are about outdated processes, not coaching.
One-on-one creativity coaching isn’t a whiteboard full of post-it notes, it’s a deeper, more focused way of supporting your creative mind and your real-world progress. The difference is night and day.

A growing global movement (yep, even here in NZ)
Coaching as a whole is booming. In 2024, the global industry pulled in around $6.25 billion, and it’s heading for $7.3 billion by 2025. That’s not small change. And within that growth, creative coaching has quietly carved out its place. There’s a clear shift happening: more people want support that honours the messiness, meaning, and magic of creative living.

This isn’t just a corporate trend, it’s a human one.

Creative minds need more than motivation, they need momentum
Research shows that when coaching integrates creativity, things like flow states, play, intuition, and problem-solving, clients don’t just feel inspired. They take action. They stick with their goals. They experience real, lasting change.

When creativity is treated as central, not a nice-to-have or fluffy bonus people flourish. Ideas turn into outcomes. Dreams into deadlines. That novel gets written. That business gets launched. That self-doubt gets a polite kick in the pants.
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Bottom line? Not all creative exercises are created equal. But real creativity coaching done well, with care and structure and lived experience, helps people do better work, live truer lives, and feel more at home in their own creative skin.

And in a noisy world? That kind of support isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.

James Price
Creative Coach | Aotearoa born, globally focused
Website: www.jamesprice.pro
Email: james@jamesprice.pro

James Price – Creative Biography (Digital Media & Creative Practice)

James Price is a multidisciplinary digital media artist, creativity consultant, and educator whose work explores the living nature of creativity in a digitised, distracted world. With roots in early childhood education and nearly two decades of visual storytelling, James brings a unique sensitivity to how we play, process, and participate in the making of meaning, both online and off. (Below is an example of James’ love of black and white photography.)

His creative practice is grounded in the belief that creativity is not a luxury but a life force, something to be nurtured, not merely performed. Through immersive digital works, reflective media, and collaborative experiments, James creates spaces (both literal and virtual) that invite curiosity, presence, and connection. Whether crafting short-form video narratives, visual essays, or creative toolkits, his work encourages audiences to slow down, notice more, and reimagine their relationship with technology, self-expression, and time.

James’ evolving body of work is informed by his advanced study of art and creativity and his experience designing playful, open-ended learning environments for young children. He brings that same ethos into his creativity consultancy, where he works with artists, educators, and purpose-driven professionals to develop mindful, sustainable, and resonant creative practices. James specialises in helping people reconnect with their creative identity while navigating the digital landscape with clarity and confidence.

As the host of The Groovy Creative podcast, James extends this conversation to a global community sharing insights, stories, and strategies for reclaiming creativity as a soulful, lifelong practice. His work lives at the intersection of human-centered design, digital expression, and the radical act of making space for imagination in everyday life.

Based in Aotearoa New Zealand, James continues to explore the dynamic potential of creative media as a tool for self-inquiry, cultural dialogue, and joyful disruption. Email James and say Hi!

Listen to The Groovy Creative Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Hey hey, friends of The Groovy Creative! ✨ I’ve been quietly running an experiment behind the scenes over the past few weeks trialling ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, not just out of curiosity, but as deep research for some juicy upcoming podcast episodes. Let me tell you: these tools are not just hype, they’re here to stay, and they’re already reshaping the way we think, plan, and create.

Each of these platforms has brought something unique to the table. ChatGPT has been my witty, thoughtful brainstorming buddy. Copilot slides into workflows like a quiet genius, while Gemini has surprised me with moments of brilliant insight. The best part? When I combine them, letting their strengths overlap and balance out, it’s like having an all-star creative advisory board in my pocket. Together, they’ve helped guide some of the smartest business decisions I’ve made lately. And yep, they were spot on.

Here’s the thing: AI isn’t a gimmick or a threat, it’s the dawn of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Just like electricity, the internet, and the printing press before it, AI is changing the game. And the creatives, solopreneurs, educators, and artists who embrace it, not resist it, will be the ones who thrive. It’s not about replacing human creativity. It’s about amplifying it. Enhancing it. Unleashing it in ways we couldn’t even imagine a few years ago.

So yes, I’m leaning all the way in. AI isn’t the enemy of the artist, it’s the brush, the lens, the stage light of a new era. And I’m excited to keep exploring this tech with you on the podcast, where we’ll unpack how to stay human and groovy in a world that’s evolving faster than ever.

More coming soon… 

Creativity isn’t linear… thank goodness.
Most creatives don’t march a straight line from A to B. We zig, we zag, we loop back, and sometimes we launch ourselves into the unknown just to see what’s out there. That’s not confusion. That’s our method. Our lives and work are shaped by a spirit of fluidity and exploration, one that resists staying in the same lane for too long. While conventional careers often cling to structure and predictability, creative paths thrive on change. On variation. On trying something new just because we can.

This restless energy we carry, it isn’t a flaw. It’s a drive. A hunger to stretch, evolve, and peel back another layer of who we are and what we’re here to express. Reinvention, for a creative, isn’t a midlife crisis. It’s fuel. It’s how the best ideas get born.

You’ll see it most clearly in the way we work. Many of us ditch the traditional job ladder for freelance gigs, passion projects, side hustles, or whole new industries. Why? Because we want our work to grow with us. Every pivot we make, whether it’s swapping corporate for creative, or client work for something personal—isn’t a retreat. It’s a recalibration. And sometimes those bold sidesteps lead to unexpected breakthroughs. The kind you’d never get by coloring inside the lines.

But it’s not just about work. The creative instinct to shift and reshape extends into how we live. Maybe that’s moving cities, building an unconventional home life, or finding community in surprising places. We design lives that match our need to feel inspired, challenged, and aligned with purpose. And yes, that often means learning to live with a bit of uncertainty. Because uncertainty, for us, isn’t a threat, it’s a doorway.

So if you’re someone who’s always shifting gears, trying new things, reinventing your workflow or yourself, know this: you’re not scattered. You’re agile. You’re awake. In a world that changes fast, that’s a creative superpower.

And now, add to that the tools of today, AI, remote work, digital media—and suddenly the boundaries are gone. The gatekeepers are gone. The rules? Optional. We have more power than ever to explore, build, connect, and reimagine how we show up in the world.

The challenge now isn’t staying the same. It’s staying you, through all the shifts, tools, and turns. That’s the sweet spot. That’s where creativity, courage, and meaning collide.

In an online world that’s constantly refreshing, reshuffling, and resharing, it’s easy to feel like you’re stuck dancing to someone else’s algorithm. Social media can be a powerful amplifier, sure, but relying on it as your creative HQ is like building your dream house on rented land. One policy change, a shadow ban, or a random outage, and poof, your connection to your audience can vanish like disco smoke in a wind tunnel.

Your website, on the other hand? That’s your digital home. Your domain. Your rhythm. You own it, you control it, and every pixel of it works for you. The time and love you invest into crafting your site, whether it’s writing thoughtful blog posts, updating your services, or fine-tuning your SEO is cumulative. It builds authority. It creates searchable, lasting value. Unlike a reel that disappears into the abyss after 48 hours, a great blog post or resources page can keep welcoming new visitors years down the line.

And let’s talk networking, real, human, “hey, let’s actually connect” networking. Personal relationships, email newsletters, podcast shoutouts, and being featured on other people’s platforms? These build trust and loyalty far beyond the surface-level scroll. A kind conversation or a helpful recommendation goes deeper than likes ever will. Pair that with an inviting, well organised website, and suddenly you’ve got a cozy creative space where people don’t just visit, they stay, explore, and come back for more.

Social media still has a place, it’s a great dance floor for visibility, but don’t let it be the only stage you perform on. Your website and your relationships are where the real grooves get built.

I personally recommend and use Format! Designed to be used by creatives, their system is great, their customer support team are amazing, and they have some great pricing too! You can check them out at their website www.format.com

#socialmediamarketingtips #website #webdesign #websiteseo #seo #gremlins #tiktok #FacebookPage #instagram #Twitter #Youtube #fun 

Creativity Coaching with James Price

Fuel your ideas. Reignite your spark. Find your creative groove.

I’m James Price, a lifelong storyteller, photographer, creativity coach, and I have just completed a Diploma in Art & Creativity (Advanced) Level 7. My journey through nearly two decades of visual storytelling, hands-on education, and deep dives into the psychology of creativity has shaped a unique approach to coaching that’s playful, soulful, and powerfully effective. Whether you’re a stuck artist, a curious dabbler, or a professional creative in need of fresh direction, I help people unlock their creative flow by blending practical strategy with joyful exploration.

With a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, a Level 7 - Diploma in Art & Creativity, other Diploma’s in Creativity, Graphic Design, and Digital Media, my foundation is rooted in understanding how humans learn, grow, and express themselves. I’ve taught tiny humans to trust their imaginations, guided adults to reclaim their creative confidence, and captured thousands of stories through a camera lens. My coaching style blends mindfulness, experimentation, and a rebellious spirit to help you silence your inner critic and dive into the delicious mess of making.

As a creativity coach, I don’t just tell you to think outside the box, I help you kick the box over, paint it neon pink, and turn it into a puppet theatre if that’s what lights you up. From developing creative routines to crafting projects aligned with your values, my coaching is designed to reconnect you to your creative purpose. You’ll walk away not just with ideas, but with clarity, courage, and the groove to keep going.

If you’re ready to shift from stuck to sparked, let’s start a conversation. The world needs your weird, your wonder, your what-if. Let’s find your flow and make something groovy.