Identity of work – getting the flow

In follow up to last week’s Identity of Work – Part 1 I wanted to spend this week sharing one of my favourite books of all time. It is called “Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly. It explores the psychology of optimal experience – what makes us happy, and while for many, work may not seem to be something that could, it is possible with the help of a bit of “flow”.

What the book looks at is how do we get engaged and stay engaged in what we are doing. And how that leads to a deep sense of happiness. Can it happen to anyone or is it reserved for those lucky few who have great, interesting, challenging jobs?

From the book jacket: “everyone experiences flow from time to time and will recognise its characteristics. People typically feel strong, alert, in effortless control, unselfconscious, and at the peak of their abilities. Both the sense of time and emotional problems seem to disappear and there is an exhilarating feeling…”

Many (if not most) of us have stumbled across this. Become so engrossed in something that, when we looked up, we found that hours had passed without our being aware.

But likewise for most of us, it was a complete surprise when it happened. In “Flow”, Csikszntmihaly (who I have always called Mihaly Unpronouceable) explores how to control this state and make it deliberate, and in doing so dramatically enhance your day-to-day sense of fulfillment in your life.

Most importantly it is not about the work you do, but how you engage with it. Welders, farmers, and many more are used as examples to show that even jobs that some would find dull and meaningless, or as having poor working conditions, can deliver great meaning and personal sense of satisfaction and accomplishment – depending on the person’s approach.

For some cliff notes, watch this Ted presentation by the author from 2004 (get a coffee because it’s 18 minutes long, but well worth viewing). If your browser doesn’t support this version, it’s on the TED website.

I know personally any time I am brainstorming ideas or problem solving with a team of people (the topic doesn’t seem to matter) time just disappears.

When does time just fly for you?

See you next week.

Alignment is Michel’s passion. Through her work with Brandology here in Australia, and Brand Alignment Group in the United States, she helps organisations align who they are, with what they do and say to build more authentic and sustainable brands.

To see more Michel Hogan blogs, click here.