Optimal Living: Insights From Flow Theory

What does it mean to live optimally? Is there any difference between self actualization and self-transcendence? Do peak performances and peak experiences differ? The last question was asked yesterday by Scott Barry Kaufman on twitter and it got me thinking. I've been thinking a lot lately about the potential utility of distinguishing peak experiences from peak performance. I don't think they are necessarily the same thing. Some peak experiences are so wondrous experientially but don't necessarily elevate our "performance". Thoughts?— Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D. (@sbkaufman) July 12, 2020 The thoughts triggered were too large to fit in a few tweets, so here is the longer blog post; thanks Scott for the inspiration. To start off, lets recall what flow is ; its typically associated with deep engrossment and peak performance during a task. When thinking about tasks two dimensions are relevant: how difficult is the task and what are the skills of the person executing the task. When task is of high difficulty, and skills are low, it may lead to experience of anxiety in the person; when task is of low difficulty and skills are high, it may lead to relaxation/ boredom. Only when task difficulty is slightly greater or matched than skills does the possibility of flow emerges. With adequate in time feedback and no distractions, one can get into a state of flow. Another point to remember is that the idea is to keep increasing task difficulty an...
Source: The Mouse Trap - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: positive psychology flow peak experiences peak performance Self-actualization self-transcedence Source Type: podcasts