In a documentary we will watch in class next week, Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi briefly discusses his research on the concept of "flow."
Should you choose to learn more about flow for credit for your weekly blog comments, please complete the following:
- Watch this short TED Talks video of Dr. Csikszentmihalyi discussing his concept of flow.
- Read this article about the concept of flow.
- Discuss the concept of flow....what does it mean?
- What activity(ies) get you into your "flow?"
- When you are in this state of flow, what does it feel like to you? (e.g., does time pass quickly, do you block out everything around you)
- Discuss why you think this state of flow is important for happiness.
Don't forget to take some time every now and then to find your inner flow!
Flow occurs when a person intrinsically motivated to do some activity that brings them essential “freedom”. It must be challenging and have clear goals set. Like the article states, this state is characterized by the absence of emotion, a complete loss of self-consciousness. Flow can also be associated with happiness, bettering a person mentally and physically.
ReplyDeleteI get into my flow state when I am swimming and running. These two activities are the only things I know of that can personally make me feel completely free. Time seems to fly by and I’m in a peaceful state of mind. Even though my body is working hard, my mind is completely at rest. I don’t remember any of my thoughts that occur during this state, but all I can recall is that I was very happy and calm. After a good race, I am exhausted, but excited that I was able to achieve that state. This is usually when I run or swim my best times.
The state of flow is important to happiness because it allows a person to free their mind from its current state and just be alive. I believe this is when a person can truly find happiness in their life. Flow challenges a person to push them to their limits, but greatly rewards them once they reach the state. Ultimately, flow helps a person achieve their goals and find their inner happiness.
The concept of flow is when a person partakes in an activity in which they are able to somewhat lose their sense of self and get "in the zone," as many athletes describe it. In order to feel flow, the activity you are partaking in must require some skill and present at least a minor challenge. In the article, it is said that when in the flow you can achieve "ultimate happiness," but only when you allow oneself to completely "let go."
ReplyDeleteRunning, or more specifically racing, and singing (performing mostly), are two activities in which I have entered my flow state. In high school I was a very talented runner (not so much anymore), and I remember feeling so free, like I was literally out of my own body flying, when I would race a cross country course. If something was stressing me out, I would pour it all into my race and it's almost like I could feel the stress come out of my pores as sweat and I felt lighter with every step. I was constantly setting new goals, faster times, to beat so it was always a challenge even as I was improving. When singing, remembering the words becomes easy as I get emotionally invested in a song. The song seems so much shorter when you're actually performing it and not practicing it. I've been moved to tears many times while performing, even though I couldn't tell you why I was so sad or happy. It's just that I felt AT ONE with the music. It's a super cool feeling.
I think that feeling that you are in a state of flow is important to achieve happiness because the feeling of flow is exhilarating and when you "come back to earth," so to speak, you have a sense of accomplishment, which fulfills every humans desire to be competent. And, once you're in the flow, you want to feel in the flow again and again, therefore setting new goals and exceeding your limitations and expectations, which in cycle keeps producing happiness.
After watching Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s video and reading the article, I believe finding one’s inner flow is very important. As defined in the article, one’s inner flow is enjoyable and challenging yet achievable.
ReplyDeleteENJOYABLE: I am naturally a pretty happy person and truly try to enjoy the little things in life. I get entertained pretty easily and believe that if the good things in a day outweigh the bad, it is a good day. Somehow, the good always seem to outweigh the bad in my opinion. I do not see the point on dwelling on something negative, when so many positive things surround us.
CHALLENGING: I rarely back down from a challenge. If I feel as though I can succeed even a little, I will go all in and hope for the best. I love proving people wrong and if people do not believe I can do something, I view it as a challenge and gladly accept.
ACHIEVABLE: I believe that success is not measured by money or how much you actually achieved but instead by happiness. I am quite hard on myself, and if I do not achieve a goal, I find it hard to give up. Whether or not I reach the goal, I still find the experience to be beneficial. If I succeed, I am ready to move to the next challenging thing. If I fail, I want to keep trying to get it just right. In most cases, I would rather do everything myself just to know that it gets done the right way. I have a longing to achieve and do not give up easily.
Although I believe I could find my inner flow just about anywhere, I believe working out, driving, and being productive at work are the most common places I can find my inner flow. I am a Zumba instructor at USD, and I feel like time goes by so quickly when I teach a Zumba class. I love to dance and choreograph new songs. Zumba is challenging and exciting. Another place that I can find my inner flow would be when I am driving. When I am behind the wheel with a little music playing, my mind seems to be cleared from all worries, and I can think about whatever I want. The last place I can find my inner flow easily would be at work. In the summers, I work three jobs and take online classes. When I am productive and on top of my work, I feel like I am improving and growing as a person. Sometimes all you need to do is find a little inner flow to keep you happy and sane.
Flow is getting into that state where you are really concentrating on something or in other words you are in the zone. Anyone can experience their own type of flow. This is when you take part in something that you completely loose yourself in what you are doing. In high school I lived for basketball and that was my life. I would say I was in my "flow" during games. When I was out on the court nothing else mattered, I didn't matter what teammates were out there with me or who was there watching, because all I cared about was playing basketball. I left it all out in the court every game or that minute I stepped into the gym all I cared about was the game, not what happened during the day or what would happen tomorrow, all that matter was that moment.
ReplyDeleteYou enter flow when you do something you love to do, and when you do something you love you are happy. And everyone needs to be happy when they are doing something that they really like. If you are not happy when do something odds are that you don't really like what you are doing. Like if someone hated their job it would not make you happy going to work knowing you will be miserable. You should have a job that you love because then if makes you feel so much better going to that job everyday. Do what you love!
Flow is a state in which an individual loses themself. They are so completely and endlessly consumed with the task they act effortlessly, with no emotion. Inner flow is unique to each person and is best achieved by “letting go” or “getting in the zone”.
ReplyDeleteI find my inner flow in several different activities. First, I feel free when I drive in my car and listen to my favorite music. Life can be very hectic and stressful, but when I am listening to the music, my mind is at peace; it is a time when I can just let go. I can feel the bass and I loose myself in the music. I also play piano. When I play, I forget everything else. I can be playing for hours and not even realize it.
I think flow is the essence of happiness. Outside, societal sources may influence an individual’s happiness, but personal happiness is flow. Whatever makes a person enter a flow state will make them happy because it is effortless and all-consuming.
After watching the TED talk and reading the article about the concept of flow, I have came to the conclusion that flow is getting into the state of mind when you lose everything except for the thing that you love and are doing.
ReplyDeleteThe activity that gets me into my "flow" is dancing. When I dance I completely forget about anything else. Dance comes so natural to me and when I dance I am able to let go of everything. Most of the time when I am dancing I don't even realize that I am doing it.
Time passes so quickly when I dance. I block out everything around me and nothing else in the world matters.
I believe that the state of flow is important for happiness because when people are in their flow, it is what makes them happy. I think that everyone needs to take the time to find their flow so that they don't get so caught up and stressed in life.
Flow is a feeling or state in which a person is in their zone. They feel completely at ease, almost a completely satisfied with one’s self. It can be getting lost in something you love doing and only having attention on that. After the video of TED and relating flow to music I thought about myself and how I feel while I am dancing or performing. He stated in the video that it is a state of mind that is separated from your normal everyday routines. Your attention and focus are immersed on that one activity and your mind is in a new place. In the video he explains the relationship between flow and happiness. He also explains how money is not the source of happiness. He also continually relates flow to a feeling of ecstasy. This is an interesting comparison and gives a more visual representation of flow.
ReplyDeleteActivities that help me achieve inner flow are dance, music, friends, and family. Whenever I dance especially in front of a crowd flow is definitely present. Music is also another important aspect that gets my flow going. I turn the music up and everything else disappears. I don’t worry about anything or care about anything around me. Friends and family are also great motivators of flow. I don’t believe that others achieve the flow for you but being surrounded by the people you love can improve your mood immensely.
When in the state of flow time goes by much more rapidly. A three minute routine felt like it lasted ten seconds, a good song is over before you know it. The state of flow almost feels like you are in your own world and nothing else matters. For me I feel like flow could almost be comparable to adrenalin. Flow is absolutely a way to achieve happiness. I don’t necessarily think it is the answer to happiness, but it is unquestionably a way to attain happiness. Happiness comes from more thinks than flow, but positive, countless moments of flow can help one stay happy.
After watching this video and reading about the studies by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, I can truly say that it is the secret of happiness. When a person finds their flow they are in the zone of the activity they are doing. They are completely happy and effortlessly working towards their goal. The main point that stuck out to me in his discussion was to find the activity that interests you and calms you. Once you find the activity that you enjoy you will find your flow and be happy while doing it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am in my state of flow I will be swimming, dancing, listening to music, or walking. I find that these activities can release me from any stressful situation and set my mind free. I find it easy to catch a flow when I have music blaring and you feel the vibrations from the base and your body just moves with the beat. The noise is able to just shut out the world for that time and let me be me for a little bit. It is the same with swimming, the water is all around you so it is like you are just wrapped up and safe and nothing can touch you. I have that time to be alone and just think as the time passes by slowly. I feel that it is important for people to find what their inner flow is and to express that. Life is way too stressful the way it is, so people need ways to relieve all that stress.
"Flow" is the key to happiness. As describes in the video and article, "flow" is what makes one's life meaningful. It is a completely engaging process that helps you eliminate other thoughts or feelings. It is an inner process that is effortless and spontaneous. To reach this state of "flow" your mind must be entirely absorbed in the activity that you forget yourself and begin to act effortlessly with an increased sense of awareness. You reach your inner "flow" when you are completely engulfed in something you are passionate about that causes you joy and contentment. It is an intrinsically motivating experience that causes high concentration, high self-esteem, and greater health; it leaves you with the feeling of complete satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteI reach my inner "flow" by golfing. When I get to the golf course and begin playing it allows me to block out any feelings of stress that I may be facing. It narrows my focus and makes me feel as if I left the outside world entirely. Time feels as if it has stopped and I am absorbed in pure concentration.
I feel that "flow" is correlated with happiness because behaviors that reward you internally are easily transferred into positive external behaviors as well. If you possess feelings of complete satisfaction it is only obvious that you will live a more meaningful and prosperous life filled with happiness.
The concept of flow, as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is defined as a time when one will “forget themselves” and enter a zone. This type of event usually occurs when one is performing something challenging that they truly enjoy and find much happiness in. However, this activity cannot be too challenging. Once a person has found their inner flow, it will seem that a person will forget themselves and act effortlessly with heightened awareness. Also, the person will act in the absence of emotion with a complete loss of self-consciousness. This will lead to more crisp movements and more overall success in the activity one is performing. The concept of finding one’s inner flow is also linked to higher levels of happiness. People that reach their inner flow more often commonly develop more positive traits like higher self-esteem and greater health.
ReplyDeleteThe activity that allows me to find my inner flow is, without a doubt, snowboarding. When I am standing at the top of a black diamond or working on a few of my tricks, I am completely focused on my actions and not my thoughts. Usually when I start entering into my flow, time seems to move more slowly and all my muscle fatigue and soreness fades away. I feel every carving movement and flex of my board so strongly. It is just a time of complete focus. The snow that will fly up around the edge of my board seems to move so slowly even though I am carving a high speeds. I find it fun for me to squat far enough down and hard enough that I can run my hand along the side of the hill or mountain. Usually, I do not focus on any one thing in particular except my movements and obstacles I need to avoid. Once I get to the bottom of the hill, I experience some of the greatest happiness and it makes me want to never stop boarding. I think that the state of flow is important to happiness because flow is only experienced while doing things that one truly loves. I absolutely love boarding and every feeling associated with it. Therefore, I think the flow allows me to reach new ability levels and gain even more joy out of what I am doing.
The meaning of “flow” is the ability to find your inner happiness through an experience or activity. The activity is something that a person loves to do and gets “in the zone”. It is not an activity that is based off fortune or fame, but rather personal achievement. When finding your inner happiness, a person loses their sense of self and becomes one with the environment. The activity does not have to be extraordinary challenging for an individual, it just needs to be something that is enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteAn activity that gets me in my “flow” is dancing. Dancing is a stimulating activity that uses my mind and body. When I am in my state of flow I am fearless and weightless. My next dance move is not what I am thinking about, but rather my body just takes control of my moves. There is a popular saying, “dance as if no one is watching”; well that quote describes my flow. I feel as if I am the only person in the room, the only one listening to the beat of the music, and the only one freely dancing.
It is very important an inner happiness and feel the “flow” moment. Having the “flow” moment lets a person forget about their problems or challenges. Stress may fall upon several people, and finding their “flow” can reduce any emotional situations. Happiness is healthy for the mind and body, so go out and find your inner happiness!
The concept of "flow" means is a feeling of utter happiness that brings one enjoyment in an activity. It is something that a person feels or is a state of mind that one has that brings happiness and enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteSwimming and softball are two activities that gets me into to a state of "flow". I block out everything whether it is my team cheering for me when I am up to bat or someone in the other swimming lane. Time goes quickly especially when I am swimming that I can keep doing laps. I clear my mind of everything and it feels like I could swim forever.
"Flow" is important for happiness. You are doing something that you love and you forget about the your worries or stress that you may have that day. The feeling of nothing bring you down while you do that "flow" activity. The enjoyment it brings you will make you happy.
The concept of flow relates to an individual’s ability to becoming completely absorbed and consumed by an activity, so much so that he or she loses aware of his or her own consciousness and surroundings. You are “at one” with the activity. Nothing has to be realized or felt, there is no me or I there is only the action, which does not even require a realization that it is being performed. The “flow” is this loss of ones self in the process.
ReplyDeleteNothing can make me lose myself quite like a book can. When reading a book I don’t see the page, my hands, the room. I don’t see words and sentences or have the ability to track time. I only see the characters the amazing way their story unfolds in front of me. People often ask how I can read a novel so quickly and still have a perfect understanding of the content; the answer is that I have no idea. I don’t even remember reading that long. I don’t remember turning the page. I only remember the story, not myself. Secondly, often times while I am working out (which to me is a complete ritual in and of itself) I lose sense of everyone around me and often end up ignoring friends simply because their presence has not been realized.
Being in a state of flow is the only time when you do not have to think of yourself or anyone else around you. It is only the process, the activity, and finally all the stress of the world and any task you may have to think about does not even cross your mind. I think being in a state of flow works in a backwards manner to create happiness; it eliminates all possibility of stress, anger, depression as you lose sense of yourself and others and all negativity that may come with that.
Flow is getting into that state of mind where you are so focused on something that all other distractions fall to the wayside. It is that feeling you get when you are working on something for what feels like 2 minutes but in reality 2 hours have passed by.
ReplyDeleteHaving ADHD I generally have a hard time focusing on something long enough to get into that flow state. That being said the two activities that I easily reach the flow state in are biking and running. When I get onto the bike path and begin exercising it is like the harder my body physically works, the more my brain is able to relax. By the time I am finished my body is exhausted but my mind is usually recharged.
I believe flow is important to happiness because it allows someone to essentially focus solely on one activity so wholeheartedly that you lose track everything around you. This lack of distraction allows you to complete the task faster and feel a sense of accomplishment.
The concept of "flow" is the ability to become so focused that what you are doing becomes natural and you do not even have to think about doing it. What may seem like ten minutes is actually a few hours, but when you are in that flow time seems to go by much faster.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to be able to experience this feeling when I was in high school. I was the pitcher on our softball team and during one of our games I experienced the flow and before I knew it I had struck out two batters. It was the strangest feeling I have ever felt, but I just got into a rhythm and could not stop. It happened more frequently after that day and now whenever I start to get stressed about something I just go to the ball field and start pitching until I get into that flow again.
I think finding this flow in your life is really important. Everyone needs that release once in a while to bring them back. For me, it helps with stress but it can also be a cause of great joy and everyone needs some sort of joy in their lives.
The concept of flow occurs when an individual become so engulfed in the task that they are doing that they experience happiness. When you are in this flow, a person gets into a zone where time flies by due to the joy that is produced by doing the task at hand.
ReplyDeleteI experienced flow in high school during a long swim practice. We had to do a long set where after a while my body and mind got into a flow where I forgot about all my troubles. My whole mind and body was focused simply on the task at hand which was the set we had to swim.
I think that it is very important to find a flow that works for them. Everyone goes thought a time of stress in their life and this is a way to deal with that stress to bring a person happiness. Doing this can ease a persons stress and help them cope with the different stresses that life can produce.
The concept of 'flow' is ones ability to become so mentally/physically/emotional focused on something that it becomes something that naturally and effortlessly occurs to them, something that allows them to "get in the zone." When you are experiencing 'flow' you are so consumed that you lose track of aspects like time and place and you just do.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I feel like I experience 'flow' when I was listen to music. I can be laying in bed listening to what I feel is a few songs and before I know it, hours have passed, and I've listened to almost every album in it's entirety.
I believe the concept of 'flow' is a powerful feeling/experience that everybody should take the time to find. Submerging oneself in something that feels so effortless and natural is a great way to rid oneself of stress and release any negativity that may have entered ones life.
The concept of "flow" is the mindset of forgetting everything around you except what you were doing at that exact moment in time. When "flow" is experienced yor are doing something that makes you happy; happy to the point that you can forget what time it is or how much time has passed, or forget that you had a deadline for something.
ReplyDeleteTHere are two activities that get me into my "flow." When I am reading a really good book or listening to music I loose track of the time and what I needed to do an hour ago. I don't remember when reading a book or listening to music became my "flow" but I am glad that it did. I am thankful that I can get into my "flow" and forget my bad mood and other things that had been bothering me earlier that day. When I get into this state of flow it feels like time has stopped; I only know that time has passed when I look at my alarm clock or look out the window and see that the sun had already set. I feel at peace when I am at this state of flow.
It is important to be able to go into your flow because when you cannot get away from something , even if it lasts for ten minutes, that is bothering you so bad that you think you might snap at who ever passes by you. It is also important to be able to get into your flow because you need to have your "me time." It is important to have your me time because during that time pure happiness can push through all the crap that is going on.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi began by speaking of his time growing up in Europe during and after WWII. Wondered why the adults couldn’t really find happiness in things anymore. Then since WWII, average household income has almost tripled, while happiness has stayed the same. Next he described how composers and athletes get into this “zone” when performing. It is something beyond them and them and it seems to be coming out of them in a state of ecstasy. He calls this the Flow, for it is essentially flowing out of them. And it can occur to anyone when they are preforming their mastered state (specifically something you have given 10 years in practicing). But it can also come out in everyday life, just not to the same extent. When people can get into this flow they have extreme feeling of accomplishment, happiness, arousal, and control.
ReplyDeleteI fell that the flow can explain for a lot of greatness in the world, things that many would view as impossible. IT just shows how powerful the human mind is once it can get into the right grove. The last time I really experience Flow was when I was hiking in the Alps. I was around such beauty; the climbs were so difficult, but one I got into a groove it was extremely rewarding and enjoyable. Your mind can focus, almost like a tunnel vision of the mind. I think it is important to get into this state of flow for a way to escape and really get into your passions.
Flow can’t be explained only experienced. The article tries to explain the feeling of being “in the zone”, but if you have never been in a state of “Flow” then it would be hard to understand. I think the concept of Flow is about humans and their individual roles here on earth. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and that’s what makes the world work. Flow is achieved when an individual finds a personal strength and trains until it is mastered.
ReplyDeleteI have achieved Flow from various of activities, like video games, sports, and hiking for example. Every time I achieved Flow it was because some sort of challenge had presented itself. Time slowed and nothing else would be on my mind then the task at hand. My brain wasn’t thinking in the “now”, it was trying to predict the future. When I was taught to drive, my father always told me to practice being a defensive driver. “When you drive, you have to be thinking what could go wrong and how would I fix it” he’d say to me. When Flowing, your mind gets into that mode and it’s easy to maintain it. Flow is the same thing as being “In the moment”, your brain chooses to focus on only one thing and because of that it makes that one thing so much easier to do.
Some won’t achieve this state of “flow/zen/whatever” because they aren’t active participants in their lives. Others, like some priests and monks, actively search it out.
To achieve flow to me is to find out partially why you are here on this planet. It allows you to find what makes you happy.
flow is a state where you lose all thought and just act perfectly in tune with the moment. making you act in your full potential during an activity completely losing yourself and becoming one with the task at hand.
ReplyDeleteI have experienced flow many times in my life doing many different things recently I was longboarding with friends listening to music on a loud speaker we were carrying with us, I felt as I was boarding perfectly in tune with the music and forgot everything else in the world, it was a truly gratifying experience that caused me much joy. I also experienced flow while wrestling especially when the competition was tough and the nerves were high, I realized I couldn't force anything and when in intense scrambles I felt I used the best of my ability as precisely as possible with no predetermined action only what I felt in that moment, I also feel as I can push myself to new limits with no thought of fatigue. what I accomplish while in that state always amazes me and inspires me to reach that state as much as possible.
I feel this state is essential to happiness because it is where your full potential lies. also it provides a much needed break from the perceived stresses of reality, giving you a clear head to easily, rationally and effectively tackle your problems when you encounter them.
Flow is the ability people have to be intrinsically motivated by an activity. Happiness can be a mojor factor in flow. Flow can even better people mentally. Flow can also be called “being in the zone.” Flow is the state of feeling like you have completely lost yourself in what you do. Being happy is crucial to your work ethic and flow. I experience flow when I dance. My body can be aching but all I want to do is jump and leap harder. I also experience flow while I do certain classes homework. I find my major courses to be intriguing that I immerse myself deeply in the topic. I will reader further than I am told and will try harder than I do in other classes.
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