Filed under: Creative Personality, Giftedness, Talent Development | Tags: Characteristics of Giftedness
“Every gift contains a danger. Whatever gift we have we are compelled to express. And if the expression of that gift is blocked, distorted, or merely allowed to languish, then the gift turns against us, and we suffer.”
— L. Johnson
In the previous Blog entry I briefly mentioned some of the general traits of being Gifted. To further expand, the characteristics are usually broken down into six categories: General Intellectual Ability, Specific Academic Ability, Creative Ability, Leadership Ability, Affective/Social-Emotional Characteristics and Psychomotor Characteristics. Again keeping in mind that the Gifted person doesn’t have to display all of these traits to be considered Gifted.
The following information came from Duke University Talent Identification Program.
General Intellectual Ability
Specific Academic Ability
Creative Ability
Leadership Ability
Affective/Social-Emotional Characteristics
Psychomotor Characteristics
The more I learn about Giftedness, the more I have discovered an overlap amongst the creative, highly sensitive personality and giftedness. It appears the characteristics and traits run side by side. Inspired by the information I’m discovering, I’m beginning a series focused on Giftedness. I will explore such aspects as What is Giftedness, the different characteristics of being Gifted, the emotional challenges, misconceptions and so on.
What is Giftedness? Although many specialists have attempted to define Giftedness, due to conflicting definitions, there is still much confusion. One of the causes for the confusion is that Giftedness doesn’t always appear in a single skill, but can show up in a multitude of talents as well as emotional characteristics. Giftedness was once measured by academic achievement or extreme intelligence. However, traits such as highly empathetic, very observant, creative, highly curious and even underachieving are also part of the gifted person.
Stated in the 1972 Marland Report to Congress, gifted individuals display high performance in areas such as general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative or productive thinking, leadership ability, visual or performing arts and psychomotor ability. Giftedness doesn’t necessarily appear in all of theses areas, but can appear either in one or multiple of areas.
Joseph S. Renzulli, an Educational Psychologist, viewed the gifted as individuals who are capable of combining all three characteristics of above-average abilities, discipline or motivation, and extreme creativity and applying them to any area of human performance (1986).
Some of the basic gifted traits can be described as the following:
Highly motivated
Perfectionism
Sharp sense of humor
Highly sensitive and empathetic
Imaginative
Problem solving abilities
Very perceptive/observant
Intense interest
Insightful
Understands abstract concepts
Creative
Superior reasoning abilities
Highly curious
Unusual long-term memory
Contemplative
Learns rapidly
Overwhelmed easily by interests/abilities</em
If you think you might be gifted, you can run through the Gifted Self-Test found on Rocamora School’s website.
Other links:
NSGT (National Society of Gifted & Talented)
SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)
Gifted Adults
NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children)
Gifted 101
Filed under: Creative Process, Flow | Tags: adventure of creativity, creative spontaneity, Surrender to the creative process
Like getting in the car bound on an adventure, without a known destination, but to discover where the road might take you, do you yield to spontaneity? Are you one who comfortably dances with the mysterious, or do you become anxious by the unknown? How often does the artist approach the creation of an art piece with a distinct road map leading to the end product? Does a composer launch a piece of music with the finished result clearly calculated, knowing exactly how it will play out? Are the characters in a screenplay already evolved before the first act is written? Or in contrast, is it liberating to surrender to the natural creative process and allow alchemy to unfold?
Although we understand that the creative process doesn’t always operate with a blue print, it is tempting to grasp onto something concrete and secure in hopes of guarantying success. However, part of the beauty and thrill of the creative process is that it can have a life of its own and its destination refuses to be charted. Pre-planning and having expectations hinders our instincts and can prevent us from going down an unforeseen path; a path that might just uncover originality.
I have known artists and writers who played it safe by starting out with a sealed proof plan for their project, hoping this would avoid disaster. They go through great lengths to ensure the out come by over planning, over thinking and over researching. I don’t believe creativity can always been contained within the safe confines of a detailed map. Sometimes the most novel creations blossom within a loosely planned idea. When the artist allows him or her self to take risks and face the possibility of failure this opens the channels for one’s unique style to come through.
It is easy to become addicted to affirming ones talents and value as an artist by seeking guaranteed success. It requires practice, letting go of the seduction of predictability and the familiar. When you relinquish control, trust your intuition and allow the mystery of the creative process to guide you towards the splendor of the unknown, what can occur might be more than you had even imagined. So why not give it a try.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: being an artist, creative potential, Creative Process, evolve creatively, grow creatively, learn new things
by Lisa A. Riley
I don’t believe we ever reach the finish line and suddenly arrive at our full creative potential. Instead, we are in constant transformation, growing and expanding. When we expose ourselves to new things, either a new form of art, visiting a different country or learning about a whole new subject matter, we stretch beyond the boundaries of what is familiar. When we venture out of our comfort zone, we provide the creative soul fresh nourishment for new ideas and perspectives. This gives us the opportunity to redefine ourselves as artists, shedding what is no longer useful and meaningful and trying on what’s new and inspiring. As a result, the creative self keeps growing and progressing in ways that are surprising, in which alchemy can take place.
Filed under: Creative Process, Creativty & Wellbeing, Flow, Uncategorized | Tags: creative inspiration, Divine Discontent
by Lisa A. Riley
“Discover your own discontent, and be grateful, for without divine discontent there would be no creative force.”– Deepak Chopra
We all suffer to some degree of a chronic, low-grade discontent. So, we seek out the next goal to achieve, a new relationship, a new job, perhaps the next rush of adrenaline or the next “something else” that will bring fulfillment to our lives. The very thing we need to rid us of this unceasing desire and bring contentment. We even chant to ourselves a silent mantra, “When I get there, I can relax, enjoy life and then I will be happy.” Yet when we get there or obtain the object of our desire it only seems to temporarily quiet the hungry voice and before we know it, the gnawing starts up again.
In our eyes, such a recurring yearn can easily be interpret as a deficiency in our life or lack in our character that needs to be remedied. When we interpret feelings of dissatisfaction in a negative light and succumb to the urgency for instant gratification, we are often left with an even greater longing for the next thing.
Religions and philosophies have often referred to this as “A Divine Discontent.” They recognize its gift as a fountain of energy, which prompts us to take the next step towards becoming our full potential. In his book, The Path of Least Resistance, Robert Fritz, compares this process to a rubber band that is stretched back to a point of tension. Within that tension manifest a natural tendency to return to its previous form. According to Fritz this results when the place we’re currently at does not match up to where we desire to be. Therefore, what wells up is a strong urge to resolve it. Within this tension lives an energy, which commonly occurs prior to a major breakthrough or epiphany.
How does divine discontent play out in the creative process? It rears its face in the initial stages of an idea and then transforms into a sudden urge to bring the vision into fruition. It can be the motivation that drives the artist to return to the sculpture, painting or novel daily. Or it surfaces in the aftermath of its completion as a desire still yet not fulfilled. Once again ignites the birth of another idea.
In Mark Epstein’s book, Open to Desire he describes this restlessness. He writes, “But allowing oneself to fall into the space that desire cannot span makes the experience complete. The little bit of lack that remains, after even the most satisfying resolution of desire, is a window into something important, something true.”
Experiencing the Divine Discontent is part of being human and even a natural quality of being an artist. It can drive us to push through moments of creative block and seek out innovative ideas. That said, let us embrace and welcome the presence of our Divine Discontent and let it become a muse that is channeled towards developing a productive artful life.
