September 11, 2012

Positive Signs #51, 52, 53, 54, & 55

Positive Signs is a series of interpretive diagrams, quotes, and speculations on creativity and optimism.

Goals justify effort justify goals.... There is a mutual relationship between goals and the effort they require. Goals justify the effort they demand at the outset, but later, it is the effort that justifies the goal. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow (1996) 224.

Christine Wong Yap, Positive Sign #51 (Goals and effort), 2011; glitter pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

If a person sets out to reach a difficult enough goal, from which all other goals logically follow, and if he or she invests all energy in developing skills to reach that goal, then actions and feelings will be in harmony.... In such a way, it is possible to give meaning to one's entire life. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow (1996) 214-215.

Christine Wong Yap, Positive Sign #52 (Difficult enough goal), 2011; glitter pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

4-axis model. Top axis, left to right: Intrinsic to extrinsic (motivation). Bottom axis, left to right: harmonious to obsessive (passion). Robert Vallerand (Edward Deci & Richard Ryan) (IPPA World Congress 2011)

Christine Wong Yap, Positive Sign #53 (Passion and motivation), 2011; glitter and neon pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

Passion: harmonious to obsessive. Persistance: flexible to rigid. Emotions: positive to negative. Inspired by Robert Vallerand (IPPA World Congress 2011)

Christine Wong Yap, Positive Sign #54 (Passion, persistance, and emotions), 2011; glitter and neon pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

With harmonious passion, the activity occupies a significant, but not overpowering, space in the person's identity and is in harmony with other aspects of the person's life. Robert Vallerand, On the Psychology of Passion (2008) 2

Christine Wong Yap, Positive Sign #55 (Harmony), 2011; glitter pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

Next: Positive Signs #56–60, on aesthetic experience.
See all Positive Signs.

 

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