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Achieving a State of Flow and Motivation

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Two Factor Theory (Human Motivation)
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ANTONIO BARRANCO RUIZ
Director, Spain

Achieving a State of Flow and Motivation

A "State of Flow", according to Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, is the ability to focus our psychic energy and attention on the performance of tasks of our choice in which each moment is enjoyed, moving us to a state of high well-being, which we could define as happiness, fulfillment or excellence.
It carries high emotional energy, combined with high levels of task-focused skills. It supposes a positive reinforcement of human development that feeds itself as we carry out plans and tasks.

Example : The same level of satisfaction can be achieved by an artist creating and painting a work of art, and a painter planning and painting a house. It is possible to reach a flow state in both cases and it can be highly satisfactory.

From the experiential point of view, when we reach the Flow state, the task is not bland, trivial or boring, because the reward comes from the same act of performing this task. We could say that we immerse ourselves in a personal autotelic mechanism.
In Csíkszentmihályi's work "Finding Flow. The Psychology of Engagement of Everyday Life", we see that this state arises from the optimal combination of Challenges and Skills, as shown in the diagram below.
People are happiest when they challenge themselves with tasks that demand a high degree of skill and commitment, and which are undertaken for their own sake.

According to the author, human life has not changed much since we were prehominids. We use ⅓ of our life to "look for calories" (WORK); another ⅓ in the maintenance of our body (SELF-CARE) and a last ⅓ in the search for PLEASURE, what the ancient Greeks called "Scholeia" which is what they did in their free time, which is nothing more than "TO LEARN". From the Greek word "Scholeia" comes the current word "School": learn, explore, develop curiosity, acquire skills, focus the path towards self-sufficiency, in a human and reasonable measure.

Characteristics of the Flow State:

Flow status characteristics are as follows:
1. Mix of Challenges and Skills
2. High concentration and Focus
3. Clear Goals
4. Direct and Immediate Feedback
5. No Room for Distractions
6. Personal Control over Activity
7. Loss of Feeling of Self-awareness
8. Distortion of the Sense of Time

Flow status can be one of the best consequences of intrinsic motivation (in my opinion, true motivation). As managers we can help our team and its members achieve this "State of Flow" by increasing their skills and setting high and exciting challenges.

 

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topic Strong Motivational Factors can Overcome Demotivating Factors
topic What are (the Main) Causes of Attrition?
topic Avoid Under and over Motivation
topic Social and Environment Issues are Missing in 2 Factor Theory
topic Boredom Could be a Driver for Creativity and Performance
topic Office Design: From Action Office to Cubicles to the Home Office
topic Application of Two Factor Theory in Non-Governmental Organizations
topic Hygiene and Motivation: Hand and Glove
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topic Role of Knowledge in Two Factor Theory
topic Additional Hygiene Factors
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More on Two Factor Theory (Human Motivation):
Summary
Discussion Topics
topic How to measure motivation?
🔥 5 Motivational Techniques When Employees are Feeling Low
topic Privacy at Work | Privacy in Offices
topic How to Create a Psychologically Safe Workplace?
topic PROs and CONs of Employee Of the Month Programs
topic Motivation Engenders Commitment
topic Civility and Respect towards Employees
topic Nothing Flourishes Without Attention
👀Achieving a State of Flow and Motivation
topic What motivates Employees to be more Innovative?
topic Role of Job Titles in Employee Motivation and Satisfaction
topic Using Herzberg's Two Factor Theory in Small Companies
topic Is Money the Primary Motivating Factor?
topic List of Intrinsic Motivators
topic Strong Motivational Factors can Overcome Demotivating Factors
topic What are (the Main) Causes of Attrition?
topic Avoid Under and over Motivation
topic Social and Environment Issues are Missing in 2 Factor Theory
topic Boredom Could be a Driver for Creativity and Performance
topic Office Design: From Action Office to Cubicles to the Home Office
topic Application of Two Factor Theory in Non-Governmental Organizations
topic Hygiene and Motivation: Hand and Glove
topic Is Lack of Challenge a Hygiene Factor?
topic Scope of Herzberg's Two Factor Theory Goes Beyond Work
topic The 2 Most Important Words to Say to your Employees
topic Two Factor Theory Still Holds Today?
topic Role of Knowledge in Two Factor Theory
topic Additional Hygiene Factors
topic Is an Employee Information System a Motivation / Hygiene Factor?
topic How to Keep a Workforce Motivated at Crossroads
Special Interest Group

SIG Leader

Do you know a lot about Two Factor Theory (Human Motivation)? Become our SIG Leader

Knowledge Center

Two Factor Theory (Human Motivation)
Knowledge Center



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