Have you ever given up on a task that you were initially good at because it was too difficult for you? Or were you too lazy to do it because it was so easy? You may not have flowed correctly. The psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi defined the flow (or Flow) as the state in which people are so absorbed in a task that the mere fact of doing it brings them happiness. This state of flow takes us away from the worries of the past, the stress for the future, and even more primary issues, such as hunger or sleep, that we sacrifice in favor of that satisfaction.
Csikszentmihalyi came up with his theory after researching the creative process and interviewing various artists and athletes to find out how they felt during the moments when they got the most out of their activity. The psychologist concluded that these professionals felt happier when their productivity was apparently unrelated to great efforts. That is why we can apply the flow theory in the work environment to obtain a greater and more pleasant performance of our work.
In everyday life, flow is the secret to being creative and productive as well as happy. The results of its application will help us feel fulfilled and practice a virtuous circle: the more gratifying experiences we live, the more we will want to replicate them and, therefore, we will be more skilled and productive.
Applying the flow theory can help you to carry out a work activity in correlation to the position you occupy and to improve your skills progressively. In addition, it will allow you to stay motivated and satisfied by yourself, without the need to look for external conditions such as earning more money or being more successful. Other researchers have continued Csikszentmihalyi's theory and highlight the importance of teamwork and tutors in the application of the flow.
As stated in this article by business administration expert Mike Oppland, a study from the University of St. Bonaventure found that the flow was more satisfactory when they worked as a team than when they did it alone. This is because people are interdependent, and it is the interaction that allows us to share the skills of each individual to achieve a common goal. In addition, having a tutor or teacher to guide us and train us in the adoption of new skills, will eventually cause you to achieve your own goals, with more stimulation and less effort.
