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What Inspired the PRIZM method?FlowMihaly Csikzentmihalyi, Professor of Psychology & Mangement at the Drucker School of Claremont Graduate University, coined the word ‘flow’ for the experience reported by people, where work seems to do itself, without the conscious effort of the worker involved. Atheletes who report that tennis balls seem to hit themselves over the net, or that legs seem to run a marathon by themselves, call this 'being in the zone'. In Buddhism, the experience where a question answers itself, equates to an advanced realisation about 'the way things really are'. Most importantly, in each case, flow equates with a state of optimal experience - of joy, pleasure or happiness in overcoming limitations. A key factor of the joy, which was reported to Csikzentmihalyi, involved a continual challenge to go beyond oneself - to become part of something greater than one's own self-interest. Flow, we figure, can be described as a state of being so much 'at one' with evolving information or action, that the sense of being a separate actor evaporates ... one feels entirely, happily, part of a system which is bigger and more intelligent than oneself. In addition, Csikzentmihalyi found that those who reported the most intense experience of flow at work, were those who knew the rules and worked within them, at the same time as being challenged to rise above them. Their skills were equal to the challenge. Strangely, people who did not perceive they had enough structure or limits, felt compelled to make rules up, and then try to beat themselves at their own game, to feel satisfaction at work. Notably, as Csikzentmihalyi puts it, all historically ‘creative’ periods were marked by a similar interplay of rigorous structure and freedom to experiment, play, bend or supercede the rules. The Renaissance period in Italy, for instance, would not have flourished like it did, were not ancient techniques and rules of sculpture uncovered in archeological digs in Rome. At the same time, money and time were abundant and the rediscoveries could be playfully tested in their new environment. Putting the two together led to innovative advances in both materials and methods of making art. Simply put; the marriage of strict discipline and freedom seems to be a key ingredient in a culture that experiences high levels of novelty, productivity and joy. "A thoroughly enjoyable, engaging and productive day. The PRIZM process does exactly what is says "to fundamentally match the pattern of the mind" to produce ideas for immediate implementation!" Try out the PRIZM method in your business with our FREE trial - Click here to book your Gameday |
