As a Master Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Brain Untrainer, and Coach, I regularly work with individuals who feel stuck, trapped in loops of self-doubt, burnout, and mental roadblocks. Often, the real issue isn’t a lack of ideas or talent. It’s a lack of creative flexibility and a mindset that’s become fixed in frustration.
One of the most inspiring stories I’ve had the privilege to witness is that of Mary Coz, a student in our Life Coach + NLP Practitioner Training program. Mary had created something incredible—a unique number puzzle she believed had the potential to rival Sudoku. For over 11 years, she refined her idea, iterated versions, and approached countless publishers. Yet the response was silence, closed doors, and disappointment. Despite her dedication, her belief in the puzzle’s commercial potential began to fade. She was burnt out and emotionally exhausted.
Enter Mary’s brother, Peter Malliaros. With a background in entrepreneurship and a keen eye for mindset, Peter made an astute observation: the real challenge wasn’t Mary’s product, but her neural patterning—a deeply ingrained loop of frustration and anticipated failure. Mary wasn’t lacking in creativity. After all, she used it to invent her puzzle in the first place. But she was stuck in a fixed idea of how her creation “should” come to market.
What Creativity Really Means
Many think of creativity as simply the act of producing something new. But research tells us otherwise. According to a 2016 review published in Frontiers in Psychology, creativity is the ability to generate ideas that are both novel and useful. Importantly, it requires cognitive flexibility—the capacity to switch perspectives and break habitual thought patterns.¹
That’s exactly what Mary needed. She didn’t require more work on the puzzle itself—she needed to rewire how she thought about success, opportunity, and distribution.
Unlocking a New Vision
When Mary and I began working together, it was clear that her brand needed a creative shift. The original puzzle was called Buskpal—a name that lacked immediate resonance or clarity. Given its diamond-like shape and its goal of sharpening the mind, I suggested a new name: DiMINDz—a play on “diamond” and “mind.”
Mary loved it. A small act of creative rebranding became a catalyst for a much larger mindset shift. We continued to pitch the product—to publishers, distributors, even major media outlets. One distributor offered us a deal to stock DiMINDz in Aldi and Woolworths… for five cents per copy. A hard no.
Even though The New York Times had recently acquired the viral game Wordle for an undisclosed sum, other major players like News Limited failed to seize the opportunity DiMINDz offered. Rejections continued, often due to closed submission policies, lack of literary agents, or legal red tape like refusing to sign our Non-Disclosure Agreement.
At that point, many would have quit. But as Richard Branson once said:
“I’m not a quitter. I’m a tryer” – Richard Branson
We took that to heart.
Creativity + Grit = Momentum
Psychological research backs what we did next. A 2018 study published in Personality and Individual Differences found that creativity, when combined with grit—the perseverance to push through obstacles—is a powerful predictor of long-term success.² This blend of flexible thinking and relentless action was exactly what Mary embodied.
So we backed ourselves.
On May 6, 2025, we launched DiMINDz independently on Amazon. On its first day, it hit #5 in the Sudoku category. Within days, it became a #1 Amazon Best Seller, eclipsing Sudoku itself.
“It took 11 years to bring this product to life—but only a few months of the right mindset to bring it to the world”- Mary Coz, DiMINDz creator.
The Science Behind Creative Breakthroughs
From a neurological perspective, creativity isn’t just a personality trait—it’s a trainable cognitive function. According to neuroscience research published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, creativity is associated with increased activity in the default mode network (DMN), a brain system involved in imagination and introspection.³ By “untraining” habitual thought patterns and shifting into states of curiosity and possibility, we can literally open new neurological pathways that fuel innovative thinking.
In NLP, we call this pattern interruption—deliberately disrupting entrenched thought loops to invite new interpretations and strategies. When you’re stuck, it’s not your intelligence that’s failing you. It’s your rigid thinking. And that, fortunately, is changeable.
Final Thoughts: Creativity Is a Choice
Mary’s story is proof that creativity isn’t just for artists or inventors. It’s for anyone facing a challenge with no clear solution. Whether you’re trying to launch a product, change careers, or simply find your way forward in life, your ability to shift perspective is your greatest asset.
And if you need a little help getting unstuck? That’s where I come in.
👉 Want to see DiMINDz in action?
Check it out here: DiMINDz on Amazon or visit the DiMINDz website.
🚀 Ready to unlock your creativity?
Book a free strategy call here: Life Beyond Limits
References:
- Benedek, M., & Fink, A. (2016). Toward a neurocognitive framework of creative cognition: The role of memory, attention, and cognitive control. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 611.
- Karwowski, M., & Lebuda, I. (2018). The Big Five, the Huge Two, and the Complex Creativity. Personality and Individual Differences, 118, 96–100.
- Beaty, R. E., et al. (2016). Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest. Neuropsychologia, 92, 92–97.
