![\"mihaly-csikszentmihalyi\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi.jpg?resize=800%2C450\")
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Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has taught me that “happiness” is simply being in a state of “flow” — or “in the zone.”<\/p>\n
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His biggest idea is this concept of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d or being in the zone. He says that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is nothing but achieving this state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d where we no longer feel anxiety, fear, or dread. Being in a state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the most creative, excited, and invulnerable. When we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re fully-engrossed into our creative work, we lose a sense of time, hunger, and ego. We feel like all possibilities are infinite \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re never going to die.<\/p>\n
What are some practical lessons you can learn from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi? Below is what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned from him, and what you can learn from him too:<\/p>\n
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi says that having a state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in life as an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153optimal experience.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Those who report the most creativity and happiness in life are the ones who are in the state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as often as possible.<\/p>\n
But how do we get into a state of flow? Below are some strategies and tips to enter \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the zone\u00e2\u20ac\u009d:<\/p>\n
To get into a state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography, this can mean the following:<\/p>\n
When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in a state of flow, you will totally forget a sense of time.<\/p>\n
In photography, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m often in a state of flow when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m wandering aimlessly and shooting photos. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m in a state of flow when I talk to my subjects, and get to know them deeper. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m in a state of flow when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m teaching photography, when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m blogging about photography (like now), or when I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m selecting and choosing my best photos on my computer.<\/p>\n
The more you get into a state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, the more creative and alive you feel.<\/p>\n
Try to be in a state of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d as often as you can in your photography and life.<\/p>\n
In order to improve in your photography, creativity, and life \u00e2\u20ac\u201d try to seek more complex experiences.<\/p>\n
For example, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just take easy photos. Take photos which stretch your imagination and ability.<\/p>\n
When it comes to life, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just choose an easy experience that makes you more passive (watching TV, movies). Seek experiences which expand yourself (learning a new art, sport, how to cook, or a new instrument).<\/p>\n
In photography, seek to make more complex compositions. Seek to add more layers. Use artificial flash. Shoot in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Be a more critical self-editor of your work, and only show your best work.<\/p>\n
In socialization, seek more complex conversations (talk about the meaning of life and philosophy, instead of sports and current events).<\/p>\n
The more complex your experiences, the more you will grow and cherish life.<\/p>\n
To expand your self-consciousness and to feel more connected with humanity \u00e2\u20ac\u201d blend your ego with humanity as a whole.<\/p>\n
Which means, when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re helping others, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re helping yourself.<\/p>\n
Many of us as photographers want to become \u00e2\u20ac\u0153successful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d by promoting our photography, our social media accounts, and our images.<\/p>\n
However, to become \u00e2\u20ac\u0153successful\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d try the opposite; promote the photography and work of others. This will eventually return to yourself \u00e2\u20ac\u201d helping others is helping yourself.<\/p>\n
Detach your ego from just yourself. Know that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a part of humanity as a whole, and we all exist to help one another.<\/p>\n
Another lesson I learned from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is that we can control our own destiny. This is what gives us a sense of freedom, excitement, and passion in life.<\/p>\n
If we knew that life was already pre-determined\u00e2\u20ac\u201d what reason would you have to work hard? To innovate? To wake up in the morning?<\/p>\n
Know that no matter your life situation, you can always control your destiny.<\/p>\n
You can work hard to improve your photography, you can change your lifestyle to free up more time to make photos, and you can get your photography better-known by actively promoting yourself and making the right connections.<\/p>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fall into fatalism and think that everything in the world is f*cked. You can control your own destiny.<\/p>\n
What is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153creativity\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in photography?<\/p>\n
Creativity is about crossing domains. About mixing your interests in photography with other forms of art. Mix your photography with your interests in drawing, painting, dance, theater, sculpture, or music.<\/p>\n
The most innovative photographers are the ones who don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t start off as photographers. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the ones who mix other domains and interests. For example:<\/p>\n
How can you mix your photography across different domains and innovate?<\/p>\n
How do you want to become a more productive person and creative person?<\/p>\n
Simple: learn how to say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to others; and knowing how to avoid distractions.<\/p>\n
If your focus is your photography, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to have to learn how to say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Do you not have enough time on the weekends to make photos, because you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re tied up with all these (superfluous) social events? Thank your friends and colleagues for an invitation\u00e2\u20ac\u201d but subtly say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to social media, blogs, and websites which distract you from your work. Say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to your smartphone, to emails, text messages, and over-communication.<\/p>\n
If you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t learn how to say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153no\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to others, you will never have time, focus, and energy for yourself.<\/p>\n
If you can see the entire world as full of challenges for you to conquer, you will never be bored with life.<\/p>\n
Boredom simply tells us that we need new challenges to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones. Every arena is an opportunity for creativity.<\/p>\n
We can challenge ourselves with more complex conversations with our peers. We can challenge ourselves to make more complex art and photos. We can challenge ourselves to increase complexity to ourselves\u00e2\u20ac\u201d by consuming different forms of art, music, and literature.<\/p>\n
Avoid boredom at all costs\u00e2\u20ac\u201d and always seek everything that can be a positive challenge for you.<\/p>\n
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi introduces this concept of being a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153transcender\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d someone who transcends themselves in order to help others. A \u00e2\u20ac\u0153transcender\u00e2\u20ac\u009d has a transcendent purpose \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to help all of humanity with their skills, talents, and life experiences.<\/p>\n
When you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve learned that you already have everything you need in life to survive\u00e2\u20ac\u201d what would you use the rest of your mental energy for? How could you help empower others?<\/p>\n
In photography, would you spend more time teaching other photographers, giving away your secrets, or by inspiring others with your images?<\/p>\n
How can you best use your skills and abilities to help empower others? Only you have the answer.<\/p>\n
According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, we are happiest when we are active. An \u00e2\u20ac\u0153optimal experience\u00e2\u20ac\u009d isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t when we are passive and relaxed (like watching TV, or browsing the web). It is when we are actively creating. It is when we are in control of our concentration and attention.<\/p>\n
We often gain \u00e2\u20ac\u0153flow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d experiences when we are partaking in sports, mountain climbing, reading a challenging book or novel, writing, taking photos, or by teaching.<\/p>\n
Why is it that we think that true happiness and leisure is passive? Probably because society and pop culture\/media tells us to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153relax.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d But I think true \u00e2\u20ac\u0153relaxation\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and leisure is doing what you love, and sets your heart on fire.<\/p>\n
The roots of discontentment are internal. We are often dissatisfied with the present, and look forward to the future. Other times, we let our regrets from the past overwhelm us.<\/p>\n
F*ck that. Live in the future. Nobody who lives in the present moment can be miserable.<\/p>\n
Be totally present in each moment in life. Cherish each moment, and make the best of it.<\/p>\n
Take control of what happens in your mind, and be active. Be creative. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about our opinions of the actions of others. Only focus on yourself, and what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re doing (right now) to be creative, and to transcend yourself.<\/p>\n
What can you do right now<\/em> to feel more fulfilled? Does that mean you can go out and make some photos now? Perhaps it means looking at a great photo book, and finding inspiration? Maybe it means re-arranging your portfolio? Or by starting a website or photo-book?<\/p>\n Focus on the now.<\/p>\n I think the two most important thing in our lives include our work and our relationship with others.<\/p>\n In Latin, there is a saying that to be alive is to be with other men (inter hominem esse).<\/p>\n Not only that, but in Latin, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153death\u00e2\u20ac\u009d means \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcto cease to be amongst men.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n Even more, the word \u00e2\u20ac\u0153idiot\u00e2\u20ac\u009d refers to a private person, who didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know how to learn from others.<\/p>\n Most of our anxieties in life happen when we are alone. When we are alone, we often think depressive thoughts. When we are with others, we feel joyful, uplifted, and our anxieties dissipate.<\/p>\n Francis Bacon once said: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whoever enjoys solitude is either a wild beast or God.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n It takes mastery to enjoy our solitary time. But let us never forget, to be human is to enjoy the company of other humans.<\/p>\n We need to have alone time to do our creative work, and to focus on what is important to us. But at the same time, we also need to prioritize spending time with loved ones, with our local communities, and with our families.<\/p>\n Learn to blend the two.<\/p>\n For me, I dedicate the mornings and afternoons for work. Then I totally turn off my devices in the evenings, and enjoy leisurely 3-hour dinners with close friends and family.<\/p>\n Love the company of your fellow humankind, and love your work. This is the key to happiness.<\/p>\n No matter what, there will always be shit that happens. But the secret to life is learning how to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153cheat reality\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201d to turn every misfortune into a gift.<\/p>\n How can we turn adversity into an \u00e2\u20ac\u0153admirable challenge?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d How can we learn to see every opportunity as a chance to grow?<\/p>\n What is the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153project\u00e2\u20ac\u009d for your life? What is your \u00e2\u20ac\u0153life theme\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or ultimate goal? What do you find meaning in life? And how can you learn to find meaning in everything that happens in your life?<\/p>\n When you face suffering in life, how can you find meaningful purpose and a challenge from it?<\/p>\n We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t control whether we will be insulted, whether someone will die, whether we fall into poverty, or whether we become sick. We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t prevent misfortune from happening in our life.<\/p>\n However no matter what, we can always control our opinion of things. We can always control our reality by learning how to interpret<\/em> reality.<\/p>\n If we always see everything that happens to us as a chance to grow, introspect, or evolve \u00e2\u20ac\u201d what do you have to fear in life?<\/p>\n If you want to never stop learning in life, follow these tips from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:<\/p>\n If you want to learn more about the philosophy of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and the psychology of creativity and happiness, I highly recommend reading the book: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Flow.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n The biggest takeaway I learned from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t an external state of being. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t owning a lot of physical possessions, having a lot of money, or having a lot of status.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Happiness\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is being engaged in the work that you do. In the creative work that you do. In the meaningful and deep conversations you have with others. It means to be active<\/strong> in your life, and not a passive consumer. It means to create. It means to push your boundaries, and liberate yourself from the opinions of others and society.<\/p>\n Learn to transcend yourself, and dedicate your life to improving your own life and the life of others.<\/p>\n Always, ##\u00c2\u00a0Video lecture on “flow”<\/p>\n11. Enjoy the presence of other people<\/h2>\n
12. Cheat reality<\/h2>\n
13. What to strive towards<\/h2>\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n
\nEric<\/p>\n