Friday, January 2, 2009

What are the ten characteristics Csikszentmihalyi says creative people have?

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi built on his work in the book Flow by interviewing people who achieved flow and contributed to improving society. He found that they had the following ten traits, some of which seem at first to be contradictory:


1. Creative people are full of energy, but they also know when to rest. They can charge their batteries at rest, but they are also capable of marshaling energy.


2. They are smart but naive. They know a great deal but can also be open to learning.


3. They are disciplined yet playful. They know when to be hardworking and diligent, but they can also have a playful attitude.


4. They are aware of reality but can also indulge in fantasy, going beyond what is know into the heights of the imagination.


5. They can be both extraverted, or externally oriented, or introverted, or inner directed.


6. They are humble yet proud. They know what they have accomplished but are aware of the role of fate in their achievements.


7.They do not follow gender roles, either masculine or feminine. They can choose the best parts of each gender's stereotypical roles.


8.They can be conservative but also challenge accepted ways of doing things. In order to be innovators, they can break with established methods.


9.While passionate about their work, they can also look at it dispassionately. 


10. Because they don't always follow established paths, they can be subjects of ridicule, but they also enjoy what they do so much that this criticism does not bother them. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

How does the choice of details set the tone of the sermon?

Edwards is remembered for his choice of details, particularly in this classic sermon. His goal was not to tell people about his beliefs; he ...