flow the psychology of optimal experience by mihaly csikszentmihalyi

The Purpose-Driven Life is a Fabulous journey designed to help you find the things that ignite your sense of purpose. One thing that can help foster intrinsic motivation is a firm sense of purpose. So, if you gear your work and hobbies toward things that intrinsically motivate you, you’re far more likely to experience flow states. It’s the sense of reward and joy that comes from the activity itself that keeps you doing it. You’re doing something simply because you enjoy doing it. Unlike extrinsic motivation, like the fear of getting in trouble or the promise of a paycheck, you are in control of the thing that motivates you. Love what you’re doing.Īnother important component of flow is intrinsic motivation. When you find that perfect balance, you step into a flow state. If it’s too easy, however, you get bored or become distracted.

If the challenge is too much, you get frustrated or anxious.

Flow happens when the challenge you’re facing is exactly appropriate for your current level of skill. Start with a simple one, like the 25-minute Just Get Started session.īoring or challenging activities, unfortunately, do not make good breeding grounds for flow. If you need help reducing distractions, Fabulous has several Deep Work modules you can try. If you are in a state of flow, Twitter and Facebook should be the last things on your mind. Flow only happens when you’re so focused on one thing, not even your most basic needs matter. You cannot multitask and experience flow at the same time, much in the same way you can’t float in a swimming pool and be dry at the same time. When it comes to your goal, whatever it is, you’re either all in or you’re out. To quote the author himself, “ Happiness takes a committed effort to be manifested.” Utilizing flow isn’t something you can do halfway. But how do you get into a flow state? Here are some of our tips. It’s not difficult to understand the benefits of being able to access flow on demand. This allows for that effortless euphoria felt during flow to blossom. This deliberate relaxation of activity in the prefrontal cortex would explain how you lose our senses of time or self-consciousness during a flow state.Ī decrease of activity in the prefrontal cortex also allows other parts of the brain to communicate more freely, no longer inhibited by your inner self-critic. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for high cognitive functions like self-reflection and working memory. It’s enjoyable, rewarding, and oh-so-easy.Īccording to professor and researcher Arne Dietrich, when you enter a flow state, activity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain decreases. You feel less self-conscious, more confident, and appropriately challenged.

When you’re in a flow state, you’re concentrating exclusively on the task at hand. Healthy habits are the most powerful tools you can give employees.įlow, a term coined by Csikszentmihalyi, is named for the feeling of effortlessness people experience in a flow state.

Flow the psychology of optimal experience by mihaly csikszentmihalyi