![]() Flow occurs when your skill level and the challenge at hand are equal. If you’ve ever heard someone describe a time when their performance excelled and they were “in the zone,” they were likely describing an experience of flow. The experience of flow is universal and has been reported to occur across all classes, genders, ages, and cultures, and it can be experienced during many types of activities. The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile” “The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. (If you’re not sure how to pronounce his name, here’s a phonetic guide: “Me high? Cheeks send me high!”) Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, considered one of the co-founders of positive psychology, was the first to identify and research flow. If so, you might want to cultivate flow, a concept describing those moments when you’re completely absorbed in a challenging but doable task. Later this week, I’ll explain how to do just that.Want to increase your wellbeing, creativity, and productivity? It's kind of like baking a cake you just need the right ingredients. Still, anyone can tap into flow state for an hour or two each day and work on what matters most. I'd love to be able to extend a state of flow throughout the entire day, but it becomes tiring. I can't do much about an election result after the fact, apart from worrying. On the other hand, when I try to keep up on email, social media and the news, I feel behind, overwhelmed and like I'm missing out. In this state, seeing real measurable progress toward an outcome I can influence feels reassuring and affirmative. I'm not a musician, but I'm often happiest when I'm immersed in one single task like editing a manuscript or embarking on a long training run. “An activity that produces such experiences is so gratifying that people are willing to do it for its own sake, with little concern for what they will get out of it, even when it is difficult, or dangerous.”Ĭonsider if you've ever gone to a bar or club and watched a musician play with a look of effortless joy on their face. You'll Find It's A Happy Place To WorkĬsikszentmihalyi writes about flow state: Plus, if the work is meaningful, you're far more likely to feel motivated to push forward when a project becomes demanding.ģ. Ideally, a state of flow helps you advance a little every day, so eventually you get to the top of a personal Everest. Perhaps you want to write a book, start a business, or work on a project that will win you a promotion. Instead, consider what's most important to you. That's a fast way to get fired or go out of business. I'm not saying cultivating a state of flow requires jettisoning all of these tasks and saying no to your boss or colleagues. "They leave us more exhausted, more disheartened than we were before."Ī typical workday fills up quickly with other people's priorities, such as meetings, phone calls and last-minute tasks. but after work.Ĭsikszentmihalyi writes about passive pursuits. By all means keep up with what’s happening in your area. On the other hand, it's hard to experience deep concentration if you're engaged in activities like watching television or reading the news. If you can’t leave your house or apartment right now, focus on tasks or projects within your zone of control
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