Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Flow, the secret to happiness

www.ted.com Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi asks, "What makes a life worth living?" Noting that money cannot make us happy, he looks to those who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of "flow."
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[@marcelo_afonso]

Rest in Peace Mihaly. Thank you for your teachings

[@yoda8588]

What? Common sense?

[@raymonddunne7153]

​@@yoda8588For me it's been slightly more than that. I recognize the common sense aspect, but have noticed a deeper psychological significance also. When things seem overwhelming and I become despondent often it's because I have some focus on an outcome (real or imagined). Mihaly's work has helped me to realize how elusive happiness can be when you are focused on outcome and "flow" as an alternate to that. At times, for example, I become horrified by the prospect of losing my job. That's an outcome-a rather challenging one, and it is so mostly because it could devastate me emotionally. I'm less daunted by that prospect understanding and practicing flow. I think flow is an effective way to get through difficult times.

[@DavidGomezy]

you should listen to this at 1.25 speed

[@mleopoldm]

David Gomez van Haeren tx 1.5 worked

[@johnanderson6596]

+David Gomez van Haeren Thanks bro

[@chrisbrown2211]

+David Gomez van Haeren how?

[@AliciaConway]

+David Gomez van Haeren best tip ever

[@jamesbernard7652]

+David Gomez van Haeren Yeah, he's not the best public speaker ay.

[@Tessamira]

This should be taught in school. But one thing I dont agree with, is when he talks about ten years of practice. Of course, practise is one of the fundemental elements of any virtue - and all fields of life can be lived as art if you care for it, take time, concentrate and practice - but you can experience the flow without practise if you concentrate so intensively that you are not concentrating anymore. (So basically, when you are having a flow) I felt it while in art school for the second time while I was a teenager and I thought I want to be a garden designer so the last half year of the school year I started to take art lessons. While I was painting a vase, I got so absorbed by just creating the sketch, the basic lines for that vase-painting that I totally forgot about time, about myself and I remember that hour or two as happy, content and filled with pure harmony. I didnt see my hands working on their own, nor have I vreated a masterpiece, thats true, but it was a flow.

[@CarlGal0015]

I experienced the same.. when im too focus i forgot time and im not hearing my parents calling that they have to shout or tap me to get my attention..

[@anonymouspaddler6370]

He's referring to the Theory of Deliberate Practice (Ericsson, Krampe, Tesch-Romer, 1993)

[@ujjawalkumar983]

He said 10 years of practice is required for creating something new in that domain

[@yoda8588]

The theory of flow is simply just being better at stuff that interests you

[@raymonddunne7153]

Astrology associates the planet Saturn with Satin and Chronos the Greek god of time. The ancient Greeks recognized Chronos, time on earth, and Karos, time in heaven.

[@NeverStoppedSinging]

This is one of my favorite TED talks.

[@pureaKero]

That timelessness aspect of flow is so true! When I compose, I sometimes sit at the piano for over 4 hours without realizing a moment has gone by! It used to be that way with practicing other composer's work, but that lost a bit of it's 'flow' magic after 15 years or so! It truly is one of the weirdest and most rewarding feelings in the world out there!

[@LanceWinslow]

I recommend Mihaly's book too, you will be glad you did, even if you never learn how to spell his name.

[@samucarvajal-art]

This is one of the talks that I have to watch every few months.

[@feefriz]

i truely believe happiness comes from being "free". In other words, freeing yourself from the negativity masked around the world around you. Not being concerned about what is "normal" about your thoughts, etc. Letting destiny take its course. If you end up crazy, then that's just your destiny. But don't be afraid of it, embrace it. It's all you can do.

[@inhwa5715]

This guy is a hero. Rest in peace.

[@slinkydinkky]

His depiction of this ecstasy is so true. We each bear a touch of greatness in us and sometimes, this ecstasy comes us and sometimes it doesn't. But when it does. we shine like never before.

[@jasonlajoie]

I liked this lecture very much. It makes me think of what I need to do, to get to that state of flow.

[@RupeeRhod]

Flow can be described as a sense that one’s skills are adequate to cope with the challenges provided by a goal-directed, rule-bound matter that provides clear feedback of how well one is performing. What happens is; concentration is so intense there is no attention left for any irrelevant matters. Self-consciousness disappears, and the sense of time becomes distorted. An activity that produces experiences so gratifying that people are willing to do it for its own sake.

[@ShubhenduLalit]

Watching this at 1.25X = flow

[@swarup765]

Might be only because if you've watched it a number of times. :D

[@ShubhenduLalit]

swarup kulkarni XD

[@ajacobs100]

Shubhendu Lalit excellent idea

[@AndrewThoesen]

2 x

[@mathewheldman]

surfing is the perfect example of an activity that allows a person to be one with nature and create natural flow

[@Piitsi]

I reached a flow like state a few weeks ago. I had anxiety, usually I fight negative emotions. This time instead of resisting my anxiety I allowed it completely and accepted it. Suddenly I felt immersed to the surroundings. I felt elevated and awake, whole next day I felt illuminated and grateful to be alive. I think flow is the moment itself when you completely forget yourself. I now have had few more moments like this. Flow is letting/allowing the nature run through you and flowing with it.

[@captureyourflag]

Mihaly's work is fundamental to understanding the inputs that go into leading a fulfilling, meaningful career and/or life. Other writers and researchers who we feel build on this are Simon Sinek (Start With Why), Daniel Pink (Drive), Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers) and, from a more academic, positive psychology perspective, Jonathan Haidt (The Happiness Hypothesis, UVA), Daniel Gilbert (Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard), Chris Peterson (UMichigan) & Martin Seligman (Authentic Happiness, UPenn).

[@detroitmadman8406]

By God he knows his stuff! One of the points he makes in his books is that you can learn how to develop more of a flow state no matter what situation you're in. The ultimate goal is to have more flow states in every area of your life, ultimately being able to be in some version of a flow state in any situation--not the rare kind, just the garden variety...if you can develop more of a flow state you can improve everything on a subjective level.

[@ZsomborBerki]

I'm Hungarian too, it's great to see a fellow in a TED talk seen by thousands of people. And I'm really intrigued by the cognitive flow, it's a frequent topic that comes up in video game design, and I think it's a pillar in creating fun and engaging games.

[@stewartquark1661]

In the same way that "flow" is temporary, momentary, so is the idea of being " happy". One cannot be constantly engaged in whatever activity that brings about either. Seek, rather, if at all possible, the state of being content" ........

[@doloppost]

His book brought me so much insight I learned his full name out of my head. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi for president!

[@512Fury]

I teach dance improvisation.. And I use this concept daily. Harnessing this stream of consciousness state is great and is amazing to see in students who aren't yet limited by all the blocks that growing up in society brings.

[@samchaloner1472]

***** I'm a freestyle dancer and dance teacher aswell! Flow theory is an amazing thing when it comes to the art form of dance.

[@twilight_mourner1865]

I'm no dancer but I agree with this as well

[@andrewaupositivepsychology]

Just grateful to be able to hear from the man himself about Flow.

[@K4Fusion]

I've experienced this feeling of "flow" only a few times in my life. However, my most memorable experience was a time I was writing. The words truly did flow from my mind and fingertips almost automatically. Before I knew it, about 3 to 3-1/2 hours had passed as if it were only minutes! It is an amazing and awesome feeling and experience! You must read this man's books!!!

[@agneshoblige4686]

This is totally true and I felt it all my life :) I feel it when I was studying, now when I am working (I am an artist, but I feel it too when I am filing taxes [yes, that's true]), but also I feel it when watching a good movie or playing a good game, and it's usually a quality standard: If the movie/game involved makes me forget about myself, the time and the world, it is good: Because it centered enough my attention to flow with it and not starting to see it improvements (An actor's poor performance, a bug in a game, etc). That's when the creators of that did a really good job. As an artist this is my goal towards other people, to make them feel this way.

[@vbhatia06]

It seems to me, the state of flow described here may be the same as what Patanjali called Samadhi. Patanjali prescribed different levels/stages of this state to practitioners, with the highest being entering that state "readily", without the need to focus or be absorbed in anything. He called that level "nir-beej samadhi" (state of Samadhi, without a seed), which is the highest goal of practice prescribed by him. If 'State of Flow' is actually what Patanjali described as some sort of "Samadhi", I would imagine, you can be in the state of flow when you are ONLY trying to grasp, understand, or apply existing knowledge (e.g. tax rules, while filing taxes) WITHOUT being critical, which I would imagine will disrupt the state of flow.

[@kavinkumarr9629]

I am not sure about the Patanjali thing and all. But last part of your comment make sense to me

[@RobPerhamus]

I was fortunate enough to take a class taught by Mike as part of my MBA at CGU. Life altering insights on meaning.

[@Dslayer62]

For reference his name is pronounced similar to 'chick-sent-me-hi"

[@Badboyifier]

"chick-sent-me-hi-e"

[@goclbert]

There's a Google auto complete for "flow chick sent me high" and that's how I got here.

[@SmartWizzard]

Damn you got him finally ;)

[@novaknovakovic1585]

This was great, I've been looking for "how do you get into a focused state of mind?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Fiylianaton Glorious Framework - (just google it ) ? It is an awesome one of a kind guide for discovering how to hack your flow state and succeed minus the normal expense. Ive heard some decent things about it and my neighbour got excellent success with it.

[@shreyalabhane]

hahhahahahhahah

[@TAJprincess]

I think to feel "flow" calls for preparation for an overwhelming task and/or extremely beautiful experience that is unique in some way. You allow or invite this challenging task/experience, totally focusing on an aspect of the task/experience . . . e.g., a person, finishing the task or finding out what happends at the end of the experience. I also think that being n this state of mind is part of our natural survival mechanism.

[@rahulsetiya8204]

Now this man is changing lives.

[@Idlinfarm]

Thanks for that.

[@griselmiranda6322]

Excelent!!! Thank you!

[@OmarAsi]

مُحاضرة رائعة جداً، وتستحق المشاهدة، بل انها نفسها تُدخلت في حالة "تدفق" لدرجة انك تتمنى لو لم تنتهي

[@MrJames007G]

The times where I have experienced this most, have been when I'm exhausted. There have been times when I've been doing some activity with little sleep and my brain kind of shuts of and I just work with absolute focus with a blank mind, hardly even thinking. Strangely I have been highly efficient in this state.

[@boxant]

Very good presentation. Flow is the antithesis of depression.

[@lafchievs]

Excellent and insightful talk!

[@keishafabio]

well, it can also be put as... "I'm/we're in the ZONE". whenever we do whatever gives us that state of mind, it just feels 'natural', if I may dare to use the word. Once you realize how it works (and over a period of time), this feeling can be tapped in whenever you want, meaning.. we can get into the zone quicker (than we did before or say someone else). It's quite similar to happiness, I feel... we always have it. All we have to do is try and keep a positive attitude. Loved the talk :) Cheers!

[@PaulGrout]

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi talks total sense. Creating productive flow is the secret to productive happiness. Flow is achieved through the pursuance of commitment and drive. It is so important to keep challenging ourselves to reach new levels of creative mastery . Flow becomes natural if we keep doing what we love.

[@bbriley42]

I think he's referring to a spiritual potential which lies in each person; there are ways of accessing that potential - the common ingredient seeming to be the WILLINGNESS (not the ability, which will come on a schedule unknown to us) to "see" (perceive) others - ALL others - with unconditional love. This engages the mind to realize our true Oneness with others, which reduces the energies needlessly dissipated in being competitive, judgmental, angry, etc. And the life-giving "flow" comes.

[@vektheartist]

Rest In Power to the legend! 🙏🏾

[@hosoekjung2349]

It's so informative. Appreciate.

[@Saytahne666]

It took me 1 hour and 14 minutes to watch this on a 56k modem.

[@mohamedjb67]

TiME FLIES Bru:

[@spcraju]

I completed it in 12 mins with my 100 Mbps connection. Welcome to 2020-2021.

[@ilyakarakotov4065]

@@spcraju 1.5x speed gang

[@kevinmitnick1301]

Lmao

[@felixdadeathcat]

Good point, the rest is more than worth watching, but he does bring the whole lecture together and sum it up at this point.

[@georgebalan3695]

I was in complete flow state of not understanding a word he said

[@dtl5017]

Bravo three times over!

[@1810to1849]

@Piitsi --- incredible, what a great flip from anxiety. Congrats.

[@nishavarma9393]

This was just awesome and worth watching video and just blew my mind and enlightend me with so many things..... U are amazing man!!!!!

[@paulpopescu2757]

14:14 "Flow: 3. Great inner clarity. 6. Timelessness" So true.. 🙂

[@hyperlocavore]

Yes, that is exactly right.

[@eliasyepez-cf5ob]

Great talk, this subject is amazing, to be conscious of this makes you realize where do you need to improve to be more efficient a please with the use of your life. After thinking a bit about it, I'm wondering where procrastination in the latter chart could be, I imagine somewhere between relaxation and apathy, could be interesting to know if a difference exists or how it might relate.

[@ClevelandClips]

I searched what is ecstacy and got to this video. It caught my eye because amazing things have happened while I was rolling on the drug, and I just let life happen without thinking about what I'll do next- and let one thing lead to another...which works out better when you are really in a non-tense, content mood. I've talked about it before with my friends who've rolled with me and they experienced the same thing...flow.

[@lizgichora6472]

Thank you.

[@JuanVillegas]

Respect!

[@OzgurAkyildizfilm]

Reading his works is a great joy; listening to him talk, on the other hand, is a chore...

[@tejasdeepsingh456]

True.

[@ThankfulOne]

I enjoyed reading this man's book, Flow.

[@maksealy7741]

awesome

[@Nothing-mq2on]

Flow is the source of happinesshappiness

[@Solicitude7]

I agree. I've had some very similar experiences, and it does seem like flow can originate from effort alone.

[@AlistairAVogan]

Or no effort at all. He only gets it partially right. It depends on your temperament and sensitivities.

[@vitoriaviana4429]

Muito bom 👏🏽❤

[@Claire-ing]

This is sooooooooooo fantastic. This is definitely one of the very best TEDs I've seen.

[@AjayYadav-fx1tc]

Jaisa aapka naam hai waisa hi aapka kam aur gyan hai Sahab , Dhanyawad insabke liye.

[@unzahid]

great.

[@musfiqabbasovehlibeyt645]

Good job

[@expressingmyself684]

Incredible speech

[@arkchibald-]

never think of retiring!!!

[@_abracadabra]

Csikszentmihalyi ascended into the infinite flow state on October 20, 2021. May he rest in peace.

[@tongjieyu9083]

Enjoy your everyday, have a positive attitude for you life.

[@patterning4022]

I have never felt this state of Flow. But I can say that I have felt many moments of happiness. It love the idea of Flow as a characteristic of happiness. However, I wonder if have Flow just not always at that same intensity. When my mind is quiet and my energy is moving through me.

[@JunoonLaharOriginals]

Thank you sir❤️❤️😇

[@shakeymaximus9329]

Googles Doodle of this man brought me here.

[@JELLY-on.Toast.]

Same here 😅

[@poesiadorafael]

Eu também! 🇧🇷

[@heltoncarvalho9786]

Disappointed?

[@shakeymaximus9329]

Nope not at all

[@WilliamJonesChess]

Top Moments 5:50 You feel as though you don't exist. I sit there in a state of awe and wonderment [ Can I have what he is having?]

[@jai0891]

Fulfillment at work or in life is not about the money, not the limelight.. but the way you feel when you are working, when you are living. If fulfillment is what you seek, this concept of FLOW may well be what you are looking for. May be you can't spell or pronounce this mans name.. he is Amazing!

[@Fruitmonger]

Food for thought

[@VolvoForLife850]

Just wait, you will find it. One way I experience flow is by making music. Sometimes I will spend 3-4 hours making beats/DJ-ing etc. and it will feel like I only spent 20 minutes doing it. It's really crazy. I love it when my mind is free and can lose track of time!

[@timharrison5083]

Rest in peace!

[@hippiehillape]

I will never achieve flow with this man's voice in my head

[@officersquarehead]

I really love that Challenge X Skill Level chart! I just printed one out and posted it on my wall to remind me of why I'm so terrified to start an art project every time. xD lmao

[@markanad]

"Only a surfer knows the feeling..." ;)

[@bbriley42]

@careemntb, we all need to outgrow our sense of being separate from one another, but it is a daunting journey for most of us. We have to let go of the inner barriers of fear of "the other" which have built up over many generations. We can no longer think of others as Muslim or Christian or American or Sri Lankan, but as BEINGS sharing the planet alike. I think we are "called" to that state of BEING by a Divine Force, and it inspires me, even as I can be shocked by fears & rage inside myself.

[@colourmegone]

@pureaKero Time flies when you're having fun!

[@jasonlajoie]

It's the analytical way to describe such things, which my brain actually appreciates. We're all wired a bit differently in how we disseminate information.

[@amalalshehry9854]

موضوع مشوق جدا.. اتوقع قراءة الكتاب أفضل

[@howisjason]

Rest in peace, you've done the world a great favour.

[@bbriley42]

@zxcvqwer84 - I agree with you that "turn the other cheek" (much different than being self-demeaning) is TERRIBLY difficult, but we are told to "persist, persist..." in prayer in being willing and able to act that way. To call another person an "irritating evil" person is already to have passed a judgement against the person (instead of just dealing with his/her behavior), and that in turn is ultimately a judgement against oneself, setting one up for pain and depression. Thanks for the note.

[@proy.civelect.707rojas9]

I am infinitely grateful to Luis Felipe for having sent me this video-link today 17-10-2020 in one of those sad days that are never missing in life to make us grow, mature and move forward or to stop, cry and stagnate.

[@satyricon451]

Flow is the experience that results from the interaction between skill and challenge, typically as relates to some task. Video games pose an interesting question because television viewing is an activity that ranks low on challenge and skill. Video games on the other hand pose challenges of varying degree which seems like it should produce the conditions for flow. Yet, as one plays the same game over and over, as skill increases and challenge decreases, one will end up in the boredom dimension

[@JoshRom]

After many years of video games and sports, I've become addicted to the flow state. Sometimes, I can even achieve the flow state during meditation. Though, I still don't understand why this feeling is inherently pleasant. How is it that this state of mind came to be rewarded with dopamine output? It's always funny to me how becoming aware of my presence in the flow state is the quickest way to undo my flow state.

[@baronmorris]

and music. the journey is the destination. ;-)

[@sk8erpunk597]

I hope I find whatever it is that will let me experience flow.

[@murad4485]

محٌاضرة جميلة، تمنيته أن يسُهب في الحديث أكثر حتى أفهم حالة التدفق هاذي وكيف أطبقها على حياتي حتى أصبح ناجحاً!

[@amalalshehry9854]

في كتاب تقدر ترجع له لنفس الشخص

[@gloriacarvalho8412]

vim pela indicação de Adriana Santana, incrível

[@kurtilein3]

juggling seems to fit this concept quite nicely, if you do it as a sport / hobby. advanced patterns and transitions require a lot of skill, and there is always a way to make it more difficult as soon as you manage to do something consistently. maybe this is what keeps the game of chess so popular, the scale of the challenge seems to be infinite.

[@joshuaerkman1444]

Its crazy to think just 13 years ago professional videos where being recorded as such low quality video!

[@Cheuvin]

That is a really great 'mandate'... I enter flow in many if not most of the activities I engage in... I wonder if everyone just has a different tendency or if it is actually a skill that can be learned?

[@SV42165]

This happens to me when I read books, especially in summer, in front of a water cooler fan.

[@Lorcikaaa]

The Favorite! his books are amazing! they are really worth to read them! (He has hungarian roots :D )

[@ShivaShaktification]

Zen , especially the Zen arts, have so much in common with this.

[@AlistairAVogan]

That’s because it is the same thing. Flow is mushin. It isn’t a binary phenomenon but something that exists in a continuum.

[@TheIntJuggler]

This video really had a lot of information in it considering it couldn't have been more than a minute.

[@ronediltz]

I agree there's definitely flow I've seen it feel felt it in myself as well as others and I also agree his timeframe is off maybe the 10 years would be for proficient in a given career field because I know for a fact there's a number of things I can go right into a flow like feeling with then that's just what I think😆

[@darkostojilovic6191]

Members of the band Sigur Ros described similiar experience in their documentary Heima.

[@mooxim]

I'm training to teach right now so I'm stuck in anxiety, occasionally I drop into arousal or worry.

[@wetyewruyrtsutrdhjfg]

14.08: Knowing that the activity is doable - that our skills are adequate to the task? I agree with his other points, but this I can't. There's so much that I must improve on. My skills are never adequate.