Live-Large

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the progenitor of the concept of flow and author of a book by the same name, discovered that there are eight common components in every flow state.

The experience should allow a person to fully concentrate on the task. There should be clear goals to the effort, and the person should receive immediate feedback on the outcome of the experience. The task should be challenging but within the person’s ability to be successful while offering the individual a sense of control over one’s actions. Given all of this, the person should lose awareness of worries and frustrations; the person should also lose concern for self (though gain a stronger sense of self after the task is complete, and (given a true flow state) the resulting experience should alter the person’s sense of time (often by having time fly by—though slowing can also occur)[1].

Csikszentmihalyi has seen flow occur in people’s lives in nearly every facet of their experience. In fact, he sees few realities of the human experience where flow can’t occur.

How might you utilize the components of flow in your life? How can you make the evening commute home a flow activity? How can you make getting your children ready for bed a flow activity?

Here’s your challenge for the next week:

~When you’re at work this week, find a way of pushing the limit of your skills in some aspect of your performance.

~Set a goal for your free time that will absorb your entire attention. I recently painted my bathroom. It took all of my attention and effort to paint as perfectly as I could. The outcome was, if I may say so, wonderful. The bathroom looks great, and I have a sense of accomplishment.

~Find immediate feedback by hosting a party at your house. Invite a group of your friends over for a holiday get-together this weekend. Think of all that needs to be done before the party begins: shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc. Once the party starts, you’ll receive immediate feedback on your efforts by how much fun your friends are having.

~Dust off an old hobby. What activity do you find absolutely engrossing? My son recently bought a puzzle. While I don’t like fifty-thousand puzzle pieces littering the floor, I do see him ardently working on the puzzle. He’s obviously enjoying his time.

Every day offers all of us perhaps the most valuable gift we will ever receive: time. Take the time and use it for all it’s worth (which, in the end, is exactly what living large is all about!). Don’t allow time to slip through your hands as you putter along in sleep mode.

Take the opportunity to do something distinctive, something engrossing. Imagine how much more enjoyable your life would be if you used your creativity and looked for ways to implement the eight components of flow in every activity.

Live Large!

Resources:

1. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Harper Perennial. New York.

Photo by: René Ehrhardt

Flow: Flow is the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity[1].

Have you ever been in the flow? Do you remember what it was like to be totally immersed in an experience, feeling the power of focus and effectiveness?If you’ve experienced flow, what were you doing? What triggered the experience?

I have experienced flow, particularly while scuba diving or writing. The feeling I get is so encompassing and centering that I have begun to crave the natural high I get from the experience.

For me, flow states only come about while I’m doing something that I’m absolutely passionate about, but is there a way to trigger a flow state while going about routine activities? Can people train their minds to enter this higher state of energized focus?

Here is an assignment for the week. Choose one of the following activities and work toward learning more about the natural state of being in the flow.

~Learn what gets you into the flow: What gets you excited? What activities suck you in and don’t let go? What do you feel particularly passionate about? Do some self-reflection. List the activities. If you have a good sense of what you do to get into the flow state, you will be able to spend more time engaged in these activities.

~Seek clarity: If you know what you intend to achieve in an activity, if you have set clear goals and methods for succeeding at a task, your mind doesn’t need to waste energy concentrating on trivial issues. Your attention will be fully engaged in achieving your goal thus heightening your focus.

~Challenge yourself beyond the comfortable: Part of being in the flow is working at the edge of your ability. If you reach beyond what you feel you can achieve, all of your energy will be engaged in the activity-leading you toward being in the flow.

~Pursue activities that require living in the moment: I ride a motorcycle, and, while I’m riding, I am constantly scanning the environment, feeling the wind blowing on me, listening to the motor, taking in the scents of the environment. Losing focus on a motorcycle can be dangerous. It requires my full attention. You certainly don’t need to ride a motorcycle to find that same feeling of presence. Find something that requires you to be fully engaged in the moment.

~Develop your ability to concentrate: Do you think it possible to develop your ability to concentrate? Those who meditate find their ability to concentrate on their breathing expands with practice. Learn to focus on the task at hand. Work toward eliminating distractions. Not only will you find that you become more productive, but you might also find flow.

~Seek the flow in everyday activities: How can a lunch with your wife become an experience that gets you into the flow? How can you generate a flow state with spending time with your children? Try new experiences, operate at a level within a relationship that you have never tried or feel is just beyond your capability. Pay attention to your senses. Work to be more aware. If you don’t get to the flow trying one thing, try another. Keep working at it. See if you can create a flow state by approaching everyday activities with concentration and intent to transform that experience into something beyond the ordinary.

~Partake in new adventures: Is there something that has intrigued you for some time that you haven’t gotten around to trying? Take the opportunity to try out new activities or adventures. You might find a new passion and a new way of being in the flow.

Note: If you find yourself being in the flow, take time to recognize your success. Congratulate yourself. Relish the amazing rush of being in that state.

Finding the flow is a major goal of Living Large. Pursue the flow, whether it is while bowling or skiing, sailing or writing because it’s how life should be!

Live Large!

References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)

Photo: www.flicker.com.photos/enmark/1344679411/