Go with the Flow

By Corey Smith, Creative Director at Xapsis Integrated Marketing  

If you have a smart phone, chances are you've heard of a fun little game app called Temple Run. The goal of the game is very simple. You run and leap over obstacles through a winding path. The challenge of the game is to avoid tripping or falling off the edge of the path. It's a very addictive game and is all the rage among teenagers (of which I have 2). Aside from mobile gaming, console games such as Modern Warfare and Skyrim are insanely popular as well. These games completely immerse the player in another world and reality through sound, music, challenges, and the visual beauty of the game itself. Of course we can't forget Facebook, the largest social media entity in the world. Facebook immerses it's users in a world of interactivity through sharing photos, videos, status updates, and gaming apps with family and friends.

What do all of these activities have in common? They generate a euphoric sense of intense concentration with all of your focus on that activity. This immersive experience or sensation you feel is called Flow. 

Flow is a behavioral science theory proposed by Hungarian psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi(pronounced chick-sent-mih-high) . Csíkszentmihályi's theory is that when a person is completely absorbed in an activity, they reach a state of mental consciousness where they feel a sense of energized focus, complete effortless success, and total immersion and concentration. Csíkszentmihályi especially observed this with artists, and particularly, painters. He noticed that while painters were in the act of painting, they were so immersed in their work that they lacked the need for food and sleep. The physical act of painting, not the final outcome, was their passion and fueled their desire to create. They became completely absorbed in the process, loosing track of time and the outside world around them. 

According to Csíkszentmihályi, there are 10 components to experiencing flow:

• Clear goals (must be challenging, yet still attainable).
• Strong concentration and focused attention.
• The activity is intrinsically rewarding.
• A feeling of serenity
• Timelessness; a distorted sense of time.
• Immediate feedback.
• Knowing that the task is doable; a balance between skill level and the challenge presented.
• Feelings of personal control over the situation and the outcome.
• Lack of awareness of physical needs.
• Complete focus on the activity itself.


Why is flow important and how does it affect our lives in a positive way?
Flow can increase performance and challenge you to hone your skills while stretching your abilities. Flow is an extremely positive experience that can boost self-esteem, give you more satisfaction in life, and increase your quality of life. If you haven't experienced flow, explore activities that bring joy and happiness to your life.  Challenge your skill level, set goals that will provide clear and immediate feedback, and go with the Flow!

For further reading, check out this article:
http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/history-of-happiness/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/



References:
Csikszentmihalyi, M. & Rathunde, K. (1993). The measurement of flow in everyday life: Towards a theory of emergent motivation. In Jacobs, J.E.. Developmental perspectives on motivation. Nebraska symposium on motivation. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.Murphy, Curtiss (2011). "Why Games Work and the Science of Learning". Retrieved 2011-07-25.