Process + Signs of Resistance - 9/27

 Chapter 2: Process

1. "Creativity isn't a product, it's a process. It's a process that helps us to notice new objects and events, make new connections, and see the world in different ways...Most important, creativity is a process that all of us can use" 

• Creativity stems from being knowledgeable and open minded. We have to except that we're all students of life and constantly learning from our environment. The better we become at observing without judgement, the easier it will be to understand the minds of others. Understanding the minds of others, allows for new ways of thinking to grow within us. Learning from the mistakes of others is part of becoming knowledgeable about life.

1. "Creative people are observers. Observing simply means moving through the world with wonder, using our senses, taking notice of and capturing anything and everything that strikes us, without judgement."

• Creative people are innovative thinkers. They can think outside of the box and are unconventional individuals. A part of positive psychology involves self-reflection and identifying character strengths. Positive psychologists help people identify, build, and focus on their character strengths. Creativity is one of the 24-character strengths. People with the character strength of creativity love learning new things. Creative people are scholars at heart and use their wisdom to produce ideas. Ironically, not all artists are creative. In order to be creative, we need to have an open mind, the willingness to learn, and the courage to be authentic.

1. "In our idealized perceptions of artists, we often position them as magical people who make things perfectly the first time, or if not the first time, inevitably through their relentless pursuit of perfection." 

• Artists often feel pressure to produce art that is "perfect". Perfection is subjective and an unnecessary pressure. Most people live life with the belief that they have an "imaginary audience". This idea of an imaginary audience stops them from being authentic and unique. They believe everyone is judging them and begin to make decisions to satisfy the expectations of others. Some people subconsciously limit themselves in order to be accepted socially. Extremely insecure people are constantly working towards perfection because want to be accepted and crave external validation.