Sunday, November 6, 2011

Blog #9


In the article, The Freak Factor,  David Rendall focuses his attention on self-improvement with strengths and weaknesses. His three basic options of self-improvement include: Fix weakness, build on strengths, and do both. Rendall then goes on to talk about uniqueness and your own quirks.

3. Flawless: There’s Nothing Wrong With You
This comes down to your unique characteristics and how you view your weaknesses. This is a valid way to overcome weaknesses. If you have an optimistic or pessimistic view on your weakness then it will change entirely. A weakness can be a strength, and weakness can just be a weakness. How you would go about using that weakness determines if it can become something to help with your success. Some of the weaknesses the author listed were stubborn, unrealistic, and inconsistent. When it comes to the creative process being stubborn, could just mean you have a vision and you want to keep it the way you wanted it to look. Being unrealistic can make your project more interesting and maybe a fantasy or science fiction idea. The last one, inconsistency, could add a more spontaneous aspect to your work in order to stray from the same cliché. No matter how many weaknesses you have, they could add to your success.

5. Foundation: Build On Your Strengths
I believe this is a very valid rule to help with your strengths and weaknesses. Not only does it take the pressure off eliminating your weaknesses, but also it makes your strengths stronger. This whole process will help with your self-esteem, which is a big part of self-improvement. Especially in the creative process, confidence is key. A man in charge with no confidence is destined to fail, because his workers will not be able to follow. Working on your strengths will give you success. If you work at what you are already naturally good at, your strengths will bring you more success. Maybe in the end your strengths will be so strong that your weaknesses will not be a problems. Once your weaknesses are hard to find then it will make it easier to fix them, because they will be so small. Some of your strengths could help fix your problems.

8. Freak: The Power of Uniqueness
The author uses the Leaning Tower of Pisa as an example. Some people see it as a mistake, while other embrace the only leaning tower in the entire world. That’s what I think of when it comes to certain things that make people unique. They tried to fix the tower but it only caused it to lean more. When people attempt to change some ones unique personality it comes out even more unique. Then the Italian government decided to keep it because it increased the amount of tourists. That’s when everyone should embrace uniqueness, and consider the power of it as a valid way to overcome weakness. Some may think a characteristic is a weakness, because it is out of the norm, but you can develop it into a strength. In the creative life, being unique adds certain differences into your projects. Edgy and independent projects are being praised every day in the way it is different from cliché cinema. Being unique can add that certain feel to you project and become a successful creative person.


In regards to my creative process, I know there are a lot of things that I consider my weaknesses, as well as my strengths.

Weaknesses:
Voicing my ideas is something that I sometimes struggle with, because I am often afraid of what others will think of an idea. I tend to keep ideas to myself, because I feel I have a hard time dealing with criticism or getting an idea shot down. I also feel one of my weaknesses is talking in front of others.  I believe my biggest weakness is procrastination, which stems from lack of motivation.

Strengths:


I feel my strengths are my ability to be creative and think "outside the box".  Also, I don't take things too seriously, which helps me work through things without all the stress.  My biggest strength is my musical ability/knowledge, although that really only applies to one part of media.  
 I also feel I am strong organizationally, as I have often taken the lead in organizing group projects and making sure things are getting accomplished. 

No comments:

Post a Comment