Positive Signs #46, 47, 48, 49, & 50 : Open Space

August 28, 2012

Positive Signs #46, 47, 48, 49, & 50

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

The Process of Gaining Expertise: unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, unconscious competence.

Christine Wong Yap, _Positive Sign #46 (The Process of Gaining Expertise)_, 2011; glitter and neon pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

To overcome the anxieties and depressions of contemporary life, individuals must become independent of the social environment to the degree that they no longer respond exclusively in terms of its rewards and punishments. To achieve such autonomy, a person has to learn to find enjoyment and purpose. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow (1996) 16.

Christine Wong Yap, _Positive Sign #47 (Autonomy and purpose)_, 2011; glitter and neon pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

A person who is constantly worried about how others will perceive her, who is afraid of creating the wrong impression or of doing something inappropriate, is ... condemned to permanent exclusion of enjoyment. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow (1996) 84.

Christine Wong Yap, _Positive Sign #48 (Worry and enjoyment)_, 2011; glitter and neon pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

Pleasure and Enjoyment. We can experience pleasure without any investment of psychic energy, whereas enjoyment happens only as a result of unusual investments of attention. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow (1996) 46.

Christine Wong Yap, _Positive Sign #49 (Pleasure and enjoyment)_, 2011; glitter and neon pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

Contrary to what we usually believe, ... the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times.... The best moments usually occur when a person's body or mind is stretched to its limits ... to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experience is something we make happen. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow (1996) 3.

Christine Wong Yap, _Positive Sign #50 (Optimal experience is something we make happen)_, 2011; glitter pen on gridded vellum; 8.5 × 11 in./21.5 × 28 cm

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Next: Positive Signs #51–55, more on passion, goals, and harmony.
See all Positive Signs.

Tags: autonomy, blank canvas, competence, dovetail joints, East River, enjoyment, Expertise, Flow, lounging, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, optimal experience, Pleasure, Positive Signs, running, soft serve ice cream, studio practice, Yorktown

Comments (1)

stamina says:

August 28, 2012 at 4:14 pm

cool! 🙂

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