A Book Review “Flow” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
As Mihaly describes flow is a state where we are challenged (mentally and or physically) and we can overcome the challenges we encounter. This is where we grow and we can reach a new level no matter what we are doing. In addition, it is where our confidence builds because we are overcoming adversity. For career development then, this is an important trait to discover which is why I am reviewing this book “Flow”. In this blog, I will discuss some of the concepts from the book and how they relate to some of the interviews that I have done, other readings, and some of my experiences.
As I mentioned in a previous blog on skills https://www.thecareerguy.ca/blog/skills, it is focusing on the particular skills that will help us elevate our careers as opposed to selling ourselves or pursuing careers with the diplomas or degrees that we have acquired. Not saying that this is not relevant but understanding what we like and are good at and being able to transition those skills into other areas can be more beneficial. In other words what skills do we have where we can serve others?
As Gino Arcaro puts it in his interview https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/a-career-in-law-enforcement-and-much-more-part-2 people want to be challenged and based on his experience coaching football and teaching, people thrive on it, we all want to be pushed we are meant to grow that is how we all unleash our potential. The key is finding what makes us tick.
Gino’s ideology of football is unorthodox and it is because of this he has never cut a player. Players either like his style or not. The ones that do will stick with him and they will grow. Therefore, it is finding the right athletes for his team, the connection is what matters the most, in essence, the ones that want to be there will give 100%.
So going back to the second paragraph it is finding what a person likes to do and how they fit in within that discipline. We are all different and what may work for some may not work for someone else. So, we have to be willing to try things until we find something that does resonate with us. And believe it or not, we do know when we find it, but it takes effort to find something which is the hard part because it requires risk and effort.
Therefore, developing a strategy also matters in finding flow. Looking at the big picture can be overwhelming breaking concepts down into smaller manageable segments is ideal particularly when it comes to math and sciences. In my book review of “A Mind for Number” by Barbra Oakley https://www.thecareerguy.ca/blog/a-book-review-of-a-mind-for-numbers-written-by-barbara-oakley the author points out that math and sciences are conceptual topics and it takes time to develop an understanding of them. It is to a person’s advantage to work on the concepts for 30 – 40 minutes as opposed to larger time slots where we may get stuck which in turn can generate frustration and turn the person off the topic. Smaller time slots as suggested enable a person to walk away and think about the concepts. It is when we are relaxed our brains are working at their best. Furthermore, as we develop the fundamentals we can deal with more complex situations for larger periods as Alistair Bentley points out in his interview https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/what-a-person-can-do-with-a-math-degree. Where he does talk about the struggles of math and how he overcame them, he emphasizes that we still need to like the topic and be willing to embrace the challenge that comes with the area.
A person has to like what they do,” to do something as a means to an end” in essence, for the pay or recognition can distort the reason we may do something. In my interview with Dexter Martin https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/techy-artistic-and-personable as a photographer, he explains how it is a combination of artistic ability and technical savvy that helps him in this profession. To push the boundaries in both of these he sets time away regularly and practices photography (he explains what he does in the interview). Also, he selects projects that he knows will help him push these limitations which is why he only does this part-time as he claims. He does not have a large social media following either, however the people that like his work like it a lot. It is finding that connection and being willing to experiment which is what helps him.
In dealing with adversity, disruptions, or as some would put it problems, we need to remember one thing, all these elements that I have just described are simply our perceptions. Too often we go into situations thinking that we know the result or at least we are anticipating it. And when an outcome does not materialize with our initial thoughts, we get distressed. Some would say that this is where the challenge is and where other opportunities exist which would continue the flow momentum.
In my interview with Paul McNeil https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/a-passion-for-dinosaurs-working-as-a-paleontologist, he describes the obstacles he faced in doing his research for his doctoral thesis. This ranged from not having access to specimens or being limited to them, in all which then led him to change his thesis topic. More importantly, he talked about the process he used in collecting, interpreting, and analyzing the data which then led him to tell the story which is his thesis. He points out why so many researchers particularly grad students struggle with research as they go into it with predetermined thoughts. The idea is to let the project unfold naturally; collect data, do the experiments needed and analyze data and then with the guidance of a well-experienced supervisor and draw your conclusion. This is a creative process which is another key element to flow.
Flow does encompass creativity which also instills learning, in essence, learning is being creative which can initiate flow. My interview with Leslie Hetherington https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/a-story-teller is a good example of this. Her career in Public Relations is amazing she is very well-versed in marketing, communications, social media, and technology. She started acting and realized that she wanted something more stable. Ironically her career in Public Relations followed a similar path as she has worked for an array of companies and industries enabling her to learn more about the variety of ways organizations inform the public. It is her willingness to adapt and learn that has kept her employed in this demanding and ever-changing business area.
The book flow is an excellent read, it is full of information describing what flow is, how some people find it, if a person gets off track how to get back on track, and more importantly why it is so important to try to find it. Again, the book is full of many examples and suggestions. The author Milhaly is a psychologist so the book is based on science but it is still a clear and easy read. For career development, to be able to find something where we do get up every day and look forward to what we are doing is beneficial as we can live a more fulfilling life. Although it may be hard to find, we can do it, we all have talents and to be able to use that in our careers is important which is why I have reviewed this book. I hope this blog helped and thanks for reading.