Finding Flow creativity and optimum functioning by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly Do you ever get involved in something so deeply that nothing else seems to matter and you lose track of time? Do you ever get involved in something so deeply that nothing else seems to matter and you lose track of time? Experience Sampling Method (ESM) is a way to study flow developed at University of Chicago Experience Sampling Method (ESM) is a way to study flow developed at University of Chicago Virtual filmstrip of person’s daily activities and experiences. Virtual filmstrip of person’s daily activities and experiences.

What is “Flow”? Effortless concentration and enjoyment Effortless concentration and enjoyment Complete emersion into an activity Complete emersion into an activity Exceptional moments that provide flashes of intense living again the dull background of everyday life!!! Exceptional moments that provide flashes of intense living again the dull background of everyday life!!!

Flow at Work Seems to be more flow on the job than in free time. Seems to be more flow on the job than in free time. Work is much more like a game than most other things we do during the day. Clear goals and rules of performance. Work is much more like a game than most other things we do during the day. Clear goals and rules of performance. We can’t blame society if our job is meaningless, dull or stressful. Always better to do something one feels good about than just something that may make us materially comfortable but emotionally miserable. We can’t blame society if our job is meaningless, dull or stressful. Always better to do something one feels good about than just something that may make us materially comfortable but emotionally miserable. You can transform a routine job into one that makes a difference. You can transform a routine job into one that makes a difference. Can it be done better, faster, more efficiently? What additional steps could make my contribution more valuable? Can it be done better, faster, more efficiently? What additional steps could make my contribution more valuable? Figure out ways to accomplish more on the job, one would enjoy working and be more successful. Figure out ways to accomplish more on the job, one would enjoy working and be more successful. Even the mundane job can produce flow. Even the mundane job can produce flow.

Flow at Work (Comments) Imposed because you have to get something done Imposed because you have to get something done Something you get paid Something you get paid If you don’t have flow at work you need to quit! If you don’t have flow at work you need to quit!

Flow at Play Free time is more difficult to enjoy than work. Nervous system needs external signals, but has not had time to adapt to long periods without obstacles and dangers. Free time is more difficult to enjoy than work. Nervous system needs external signals, but has not had time to adapt to long periods without obstacles and dangers. Unless one learns how to use this time effectively, having leisure at one’s disposal does not improve the quality of life… Unless one learns how to use this time effectively, having leisure at one’s disposal does not improve the quality of life… Leisure time Leisure time Media consumption Media consumption Conversation Conversation Active leisure (hobbies, making music, going to restaurants, movies, sports, exercise) Active leisure (hobbies, making music, going to restaurants, movies, sports, exercise)

Flow at Play US Teens experience flow at the following rates: US Teens experience flow at the following rates: 13 % of the time watching TV 13 % of the time watching TV 35% hobbies 35% hobbies 44 percent sports and games 44 percent sports and games Yet they spend four times the amount of time watching TV than doing hobbies or sports, Similar true for adults. Yet they spend four times the amount of time watching TV than doing hobbies or sports, Similar true for adults. If the person is too tired, anxious or lacks the discipline to overcome the initial obstacle, he or she will have to settle for something that although less enjoyable is more accessible. If the person is too tired, anxious or lacks the discipline to overcome the initial obstacle, he or she will have to settle for something that although less enjoyable is more accessible. To make the best use of free time, one needs to devote as much ingenuity and attention to it as one would to one’s job. Active leisure that helps a person grow doesn't not come easily. To make the best use of free time, one needs to devote as much ingenuity and attention to it as one would to one’s job. Active leisure that helps a person grow doesn't not come easily. Only Lack of imagination, or lack of energy, stand in the way of each of us becoming a poet or musician, an inventor or explorer, an amateur scholar, scientist, artist, or collector Only Lack of imagination, or lack of energy, stand in the way of each of us becoming a poet or musician, an inventor or explorer, an amateur scholar, scientist, artist, or collector

Flow at Play (Comments) Hard to find flow so you have tooo many choices. At work you usually have just one choice and you work at that – Coleman Hard to find flow so you have tooo many choices. At work you usually have just one choice and you work at that – Coleman All about finding the right activity… You could find the things you like that lead to flow…. If I don’t love to run, then there is no flow All about finding the right activity… You could find the things you like that lead to flow…. If I don’t love to run, then there is no flow I would exercise all the time if. I would exercise all the time if.

Social Flow Interaction with others is least predictable Interaction with others is least predictable People get depressed when they are alone and revive when they rejoin the company of others People get depressed when they are alone and revive when they rejoin the company of others With interaction our attention becomes structured by external demands With interaction our attention becomes structured by external demands Investing energy in relationships is a good way to improve life. Investing energy in relationships is a good way to improve life. The effect of physical pain, monetary loss or social snub depends on how much attention we pay to it. The effect of physical pain, monetary loss or social snub depends on how much attention we pay to it. Look Suffering straight in the eye, acknowledge and respect its presence and ten get busy as soon as possible focusing on things we choose to focus on. Look Suffering straight in the eye, acknowledge and respect its presence and ten get busy as soon as possible focusing on things we choose to focus on. Control attention Control attention Meditation Meditation Prayer Prayer Exercise Exercise Aerobics Aerobics Martial arts Martial arts The important thing is the control one is acquiring over one’s attention The important thing is the control one is acquiring over one’s attention

Reorder you life to maximize the activities that positively affect your mood Reorder you life to maximize the activities that positively affect your mood How many demands could be reduced if we put some energy into prioritizing, organizing, streamlining the routines that take How many demands could be reduced if we put some energy into prioritizing, organizing, streamlining the routines that take Social Flow

Social Flow (Comments)

Finding a Goal Flow is a source of mental energy that focuses attention and motivates action Flow is a source of mental energy that focuses attention and motivates action Constructive or destructive purposes Constructive or destructive purposes Thrill of doing something illegal Thrill of doing something illegal Constructive things would make the world a better place Constructive things would make the world a better place Find a goal to enjoy life and be responsible Find a goal to enjoy life and be responsible Buddhists advise “act always as if the future of the universe depended on what you did, while laughing at yourself for thinking that whatever you do makes any difference.” Buddhists advise “act always as if the future of the universe depended on what you did, while laughing at yourself for thinking that whatever you do makes any difference.” Focus consciousness on tasks of everyday life when we act in the fullness of the flow experience, we are also building a bridge to the future of the universe. Focus consciousness on tasks of everyday life when we act in the fullness of the flow experience, we are also building a bridge to the future of the universe.