Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi quotes....

“A joyful life is an individual creation that cannot be copied from a recipe”.

“The task is to learn how to enjoy everyday life without diminishing other people’s chances to enjoy theirs".

“Pain and pleasure occur in consciousness and exist only there”.

“It is by being fully involved with every detail of our lives, whether good or bad, that we find happiness, not by trying to look for it directly”.

“It is better to look suffering straight in the eye, acknowledge and respect it’s presence and then get busy as soon as possible focusing on things we choose to focus on”.

“It is not the hearing that improves life, but the listening”.

“It is the company of friends that we can most clearly experience the freedom of the self and learn who we really are”.

How does it feel to be in the Flow? - Dr. Csikszentmihalyi
Thousands of people were interviewed by Dr. Csikszentmihalyi to identify key components of the Flow state. The seven points summarise how those interviewed responded that they felt when in the flow state.

1. You’re completely involved in what you’re doing: you’re completely focused and concentrated.
2. There’s a sense of ecstasy- of being outside of everyday reality.
3. There’s a great inner clarity: you know what needs to be done and you get immediate feedback on how well you’re doing.
4. You know that the activity is doable, that you have the necessary skills to complete the task successfully.
5. You lose your sense of self and all of your worries and concerns drift away.
6. You lose track of time and you’re completely focused on the present moment.
7. There’s an intrinsic motivation- whatever produces flow becomes it’s own reward.

 

Flow is about Taking Time To Experience And Reflect.

How to achieve the flow state

• Find a challenge. Choose something that you enjoy doing. It can be anything, whether it’s playing the piano, working on your novel, skiing, horseback riding, playing golf and so on
• Develop your skills in order to be able to meet the challenge. Remember that if something is too easy you’ll be bored- and your mind is likely to wander so you won’t achieve the flow state-, and if something is too hard you’ll be overwhelmed and you won’t be able to achieve that subconscious competence that is necessary for the flow state
• Focus completely on the task at hand. Eliminate all other distractions. You don’t want anything to take your attention away from the task that you’re performing; if your concentration is broken you're going to exit the state of flow
• Make sure that you’ve set aside sufficient time. It is very likely that it’s going to take you at least fifteen minutes to start to get into the flow state, and while longer after that until you’re fuly immersed. Once you entre the flow state you want to make sure that you make the most of it, instead of having to stop prematurely because you have to go do something else
• Monitor your emotional state. If you meet all of the requirements above, but you’re having trouble entering the flow state, monitor your emotional state. If you're in an aroused state- angry, anxious, worried etc- try doing something that will calm you down. Do you feel that your energy level is low and your feeling sluggish? Do something to pick up your energy levels, whether its doing jumping jacks, having a healthy snack, reading something motivational, or calling a friend who makes you laugh.