I’m always interested in the theory of creativity (and almost anything about how the brain works).  One of my favorite speeches on creativity is by Sir Ken Robinson on TED.  I’ve been reading about creativity and its cultivation for years.

That’s how I found this TED talk on Flowby Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.  Beyond his Eastern European accent and almost speedy, droning voice is the thread of something that I think is integral to the artistic experience.  Milton referenced his Muse, others attribute their works to a god or a loved one.  Most artists ”source” their inspiration from somewhere, and describe their feelings during their most creative times in terms that resemble being consumed and focused, unaware of the world even.  Donne and Rumi would refer to it as ecstasy in their own way.

Mihaly would say this is an example of Flow - the creative moment when a person is completely involved in an activity for its own sake.  And he would say that when we are in Flow, we are living life at its fullest.

How does it feel to be in “the flow”?

1. Completely involved, focused, concentrating - with this either due to innate curiosity or as the result of training
2. Sense of ecstasy - of being outside everyday reality
3. Great inner clarity - knowing what needs to be done and how well it is going
4. Knowing the activity is doable - that the skills are adequate, and neither anxious or bored
5. Sense of serenity - no worries about self, feeling of growing beyond the boundaries of ego - afterwards feeling of transcending ego in ways not thought possible
6. Timeliness - thoroughly focused on present, don’t notice time passing
7. Intrinsic motivation - whatever produces “flow” becomes its own reward

Not only does he discuss what Flow is, but he gives some idea of how we can bring ourselves into that state.

This is immensely intriguing to me, and inspiring. To me, it has always been something elusive - when I would try hardest, flow would be furthest away. Being “in the moment of creation” happens chaotically, usually spurred by some emotion that breaks a barrier to reveal something new. 

For me, Flow is the moment on the stage when the dance becomes more like singing, and the moment in rehearsal when singing becomes more like dancing. 

But I cannot create that moment.  It must just happen.  It’s almost like a deep-seated faith.  So the idea that I can cultivate that state of being for the purpose of putting together a choreography or really nailing a song down is very appealing.  Even further, the ramifications of how I could apply this to my every day life and 9-5 existence seem even more intoxicating.

This chart shows the correlation between challenge level and skill level.  From his tests, Mihaly finds that the state of Flow exists when the individual has a moderate to high level of skill combined with a moderate to high level of challenge.  What this means to me?  Practice your brains out, and constantly invite new experiences/moves/techniques into the plan. Work on reaching that high note with adequate support.  Start choreographing that song that you think might be too fast.

However, the other point that Mihaly makes is that if you can get yourself to a state of arousal or control, you can learn to slide into Flow. To me, arousal is interest in something completely new and difficult, but having enough ability to understand how one might go about achieving that new method.  At that point, if you can build skill - you’ll push yourself into Flow. 

The same with Control.  You have built strong technique, but haven’t reached beyond your immediate boundaries, perhaps you are stuck in a rut.

Sounds simple, but I’m not sure.  I read Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit” and she too stresses the importance of structure and practice - drilling as I term it.  I also read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and The Vein of Gold, and both books implement regular writing “drills” every morning, which seem to sweep away the extra thoughts as well as constant practice at creation. 

But some of this seems beyond practice and more closely aligned with personal psychology.  You have to build the skills, but you could go nowhere with them.  Can you have skills, but never achieve “flow?”  Or…can you experience flow, and be forever ruined to creation outside of that state?  Can creation of quality product happen outside of flow, or would that be “practice?”

What is your experience with “Flow”?  Can you put yourself into a state of “flow”? Do you find you create best when in this space?  Do you think looking at it so clinically removed some of the artistry of the experience?  What do you think of all this?

(Interesting…right after I wrote this draft post, I went to a seminar where the book Flow was listed as the #1 choice for Business Books of 2008.  )

Edit:

Penelope Trunk and I seem to be roaming similar headspace, because today she posted her blogpost about Mihaly’s theory of Flow.