Bea V. Larsen . . . .Commentaries |
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Bea V. Larsen is a Senior Mediator at the Center for Resolution of Disputes in |
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Experiencing Flow This entry was posted on 7/26/2008 10:00 AM and is filed under Personally Speaking. I now know what a small blinking question mark in the middle of my desktop screen portends. The hard drive was not responding. It happened without warning, early on a Friday morning, and I knew my fragile grasp of technology was to be tested. Filled with dread at the prospect of a weekend without online access, I was forced to recognize the magnitude of my dependence on this magic box. I knew I had to do everything within reason to regain my balance, this important connection to my wider world. I arrived at the Apple store before it opened, and soon expert analysis confirmed the worst: repair of my ancient laptop was highly unlikely, and even if possible, would be expensive. So, a new one was purchased, with the salesman’s assurance that all I need do was take it home and plug it in. Well, not quite. After registration and email accounts were successfully established, multiple complex programs needed to be reinstalled, something others had done for me years ago. I was not without the assistance of good friends this time, but there were many things I had to do on my own, (with the aid of those unfamiliar voices of far away telephone techies). Cast adrift, but now determined not to revert to my previous haphazard trial and error methods, I spent time learning some systematic and more intelligent ways to cope, traveling further than ever before towards some basic understanding, and gained some new power, elated by what I was able to achieve. Hours passed almost unnoticed. Only later, when more thoughtful about my total absorption, and the pleasure that followed, my newfound sense of well-being, did it occur to me that I was experiencing flow. Some thirty years ago I was introduced to this concept, in the book “Flow” by the renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the major contributor to the then emerging field of peak experience, what some athletes refer to as being “in the zone.” I then remembered references to his theories in a book I’d recently read, “Happier” by Harvard professor Tal Ben-Shahar (reported to be teaching the most popular course on campus, on the subject of his title). I returned to this book in order to encapsulate here the essence of the flow concept. Flow is a state in which one is immersed in an experience that is rewarding in and of itself. (I immediately think of artists and musicians I know.) Hours go by when it seems that only minutes have passed. The focus on the activity is complete. Nothing distracts us or competes for our attention. We reach this zone when the activity provides the appropriate level of challenge, when the task at hand is neither too difficult nor too easy. Having goals and a clear sense of purpose is essential. Says Csikszentmihalyi, “the best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.” We then experience pleasure and perform at our best. Perhaps this all too abbreviated explanation will lead the interested reader to original sources. The result for me: a feeling of competence, satisfaction and recognition of growth. My professional work has long offered opportunities to experience flow. For the first time, my nascent computer skills are beginning to as well. CommentsDisplay comments as (Linear | Threaded)
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