Positive Psychology studies the day-to-day activities and personality characteristics that contribute to happiness. The concept of "flow," or optimal experience, is a recurring theme. Csikszentmihalyi (1990) describes the characterisitics of optimal experiences:
1. We confront tasks we have a chance of completing.
2. We must be able to concentrate on what we are doing.
3. The task has clear goals.
4. The task provides immediate feedback.
5. One acts with deep, but effortless involvement, that removes from awareness the worries and frustrations of everyday life.
6. One exercises a sense of control over their actions.
7. Concern for the self disappears, yet, paradoxically the sense of self emerges stronger after the flow experience is over.
8. The sense of duration of time is altered.
Csikszentmihalyi Flow Article
Some are lucky enough to have jobs that allow us to engage in flow; others have personal interests in which they feel this immersion in productivity, focus, and sense of accomplishment. Children are great at engaging in flow. If this isn't already a part of your life, I hope you will find (or devote more time to) activities that cultivate this state of mind.
