Finding Flow creativity and optimum functioning by Mihaly CsikszentmihalyWhat is “Flow”?Slide 3Flow at WorkSlide 5Slide 6Flow at Work (Comments)Flow at PlaySlide 9Flow at Play (Comments)Social FlowSlide 12Social Flow (Comments)Finding a GoalFinding Flow Finding Flow creativity and optimum functioningcreativity and optimum functioningby Mihaly Csikszentmihalyby Mihaly CsikszentmihalyDo you ever get involved in Do you ever get involved in something so deeply that nothing something so deeply that nothing else seems to matter and you lose else seems to matter and you lose track of time?track of time?Experience Sampling Method Experience Sampling Method (ESM) is a way to study flow (ESM) is a way to study flow developed at University of Chicagodeveloped at University of ChicagoVirtual filmstrip of person’s daily Virtual filmstrip of person’s daily activities and experiences. activities and experiences.What is “Flow”?What is “Flow”?Effortless concentration and Effortless concentration and enjoymentenjoymentComplete emersion into an activityComplete emersion into an activityExceptional moments that provide Exceptional moments that provide flashes of intense living again the dull flashes of intense living again the dull background of everyday life!!!background of everyday life!!!Flow at WorkFlow at WorkSeems 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 Work is much more like a game than most other things we do during the day. Clear goals and rules of performance.do during the day. Clear goals and rules of performance.We can’t blame society if our job is meaningless, dull or We can’t blame society if our job is meaningless, dull or stressful. Always better to do something one feels good stressful. Always better to do something one feels good about than just something that may make us materially about than just something that may make us materially comfortable but emotionally miserable. comfortable but emotionally miserable. You can transform a routine job into one that makes a You can transform a routine job into one that makes a difference.difference.Can it be done better, faster, more efficiently? What additional Can it be done better, faster, more efficiently? What additional steps could make my contribution more valuable? steps could make my contribution more valuable? Figure out ways to accomplish more on the job, one would Figure out ways to accomplish more on the job, one would enjoy working and be more successful.enjoy working and be more successful. Even the mundane job can produce flow.Even the mundane job can produce flow.Flow at Work (Comments)Flow at Work (Comments)Imposed because you have to get Imposed because you have to get something donesomething doneSomething you get paidSomething you get paidIf you don’t have flow at work you If you don’t have flow at work you need to quit!need to quit!Flow at PlayFlow at PlayFree time is more difficult to enjoy than work. Free time is more difficult to enjoy than work. Nervous system needs external signals, but has Nervous system needs external signals, but has not had time to adapt to long periods without not had time to adapt to long periods without obstacles and dangers.obstacles and dangers.Unless one learns how to use this time effectively, Unless one learns how to use this time effectively, having leisure at one’s disposal does not improve having leisure at one’s disposal does not improve the quality of life…the quality of life…Leisure timeLeisure timeMedia consumptionMedia consumptionConversationConversationActive leisure (hobbies, making music, going to Active leisure (hobbies, making music, going to restaurants, movies, sports, exercise)restaurants, movies, sports, exercise)Flow at PlayFlow at PlayUS Teens experience flow at the following rates:US Teens experience flow at the following rates:13 % of the time watching TV13 % of the time watching TV35% hobbies35% hobbies44 percent sports and games44 percent sports and gamesYet they spend four times the amount of time watching TV than Yet they spend four times the amount of time watching TV than doing hobbies or sports, Similar true for adults.doing hobbies or sports, Similar true for adults.If the person is too tired, anxious or lacks the discipline to If the person is too tired, anxious or lacks the discipline to overcome the initial obstacle, he or she will have to settle for overcome the initial obstacle, he or she will have to settle for something that although less enjoyable is more accessible.something that although less enjoyable is more accessible.To make the best use of free time, one needs to devote as much 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 ingenuity and attention to it as one would to one’s job. Active leisure that helps a person grow doesn't not come easily.leisure that helps a person grow doesn't not come easily.Only Lack of imagination, or lack of energy, stand in the Only Lack of imagination, or lack of energy, stand in the way of each of us becoming a poet or musician, an way of each of us becoming a poet or musician, an inventor or explorer, an amateur scholar, scientist, artist, inventor or explorer, an amateur scholar, scientist, artist, or collectoror collectorFlow at Play (Comments)Flow at Play (Comments)Hard to find flow so you have tooo Hard to find flow so you have tooo many choices. At work you usually many choices. At work you usually have just one choice and you work at have just one choice and you work at that – Colemanthat – ColemanAll about finding the right activity… All about finding the right activity… You could find the things you like that You could find the things you like that lead to flow…. If I don’t love to run, lead to flow…. If I don’t love to run, then there is no flowthen there is no flowI would exercise all the time if.I would exercise all the time if.Social FlowSocial FlowInteraction with others is least predictableInteraction with others is least predictablePeople get depressed when they are alone and revive when they People get depressed when they are alone and revive when they rejoin the company of othersrejoin the company of othersWith interaction our attention
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