Happiness: Creativity, Fulfillment and "flow"

I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (ISV)
My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. (NLT)
- Jesus, John 10:10b


A couple great quotes from Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge:

The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.
- Frederick Buechner

Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that; because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
- Gil Bailie


My mind went this subject this past week because of this TedTalk on finding happiness in this ecstatic state of "flow". Interesting that the root of ecstasy means to stand beside. In fact when one is in an instense state of ecstasy the brain does not have enough processing capacity (only about 100 bits per second) to handle self awareness; you lose conciousness of the fact that you are tired, or hungry, problems at home, etc. And this is the state when one is immersed in creativity - when both your challenges and your skills are higher than your everyday average in both those areas (a unique set point for each person).

How does it feel to be in "flow" - 7 characteristics
1. Completely involved in what we are doing - focused, concentrated.
2. A sense of ecstasy - of being outside everyday reality.
3. Great inner clarity - knowing what needs to be done, and how well we are doing.
4. Knowing that the activity is doable - that our skills are adequate to the task.
5. A sense of serenity - no worries about oneself, and a feeling of growing beyond the boundaries of the ego.
6. Timelessness - thoroughly focused on the present, hours seem to pass by in minutes.
7. Instrinsic motivation - whatever produces flow become its own reward.


Some great quotes by CEO's on the subject of happiness and work:

I've always wanted to be successful. My definition of being successful is contributing something to the world...and being happy while doing it.... You have to enjoy what you are doing. You won't be very good if you don't. And secondly, you have to feel that you are contributing something worthwhile...if either of these ingredients are absent, there's probably some lack of meaning in your work.
- Norman Augustine, former CEO of Lockheed Martin

Look for your passion. what make syou excited? What turns you on?...Go towards companies that you really like, really admire...What do you admire about them? Spend, if you can, an internship there, or just knock on the door and say: 'Hey, can I work here for cheap?'...Find organizations that move your spirit if you can. Work along side them... And have fun. There's so much fun to be had...When you spend 95% of your life in a work environment, it can't be dour.
- Anita Roddick

The first "Purposes of Incorporation" of Sony:
To establish a place of work where engineers can feel the joy of technological innovation, be aware of their mission to society, and work to their heart's content.
- Masaru Ibuka