Thank you for agreeing to participate in this survey. The purpose of this survey is to identify if and how you enter into “flow” or “the zone.” If you have not heard of these words or concepts, let us describe the experience for you. Read the descriptions below and decide if you have ever had an experience like this: “My mind wasn’t wandering. I was not thinking of something else. I was totally involved in what I was doing. My body felt good. I didn’t seem to hear anything. The world seemed to be cut off from me. I was less aware of my problems and myself.” “My concentration was like breathing. I never thought of it. I was really quite oblivious to my surroundings after I really got going. I thought that the phone could ring, and the doorbell could ring, or the house could burn down or something like that. When I started, I really did shut out the whole world. Once I stopped, I could let it back in again.” “I was so involved in what I was doing. I didn’t see myself as separate from what I was doing.” (Taken from Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi, Optimal Experience, 1988. (pp. 139-140) Additional words or phrases that describe flow might be: • In the groove • In the zone • Effortless • Total absorption • Positive moods • Interested in the activity for its own sake • Losing yourself or being totally engrossed in the experienceThrough this survey we would like to ask you several questions about your experience(s) with flow—even your strategies for replicating this experience in some or many arenas of your life. Given your willingness to share your flow experiences and strategies, we will be asking you several questions that will help you think deeper about these experiences as well as your process or processes for replicating these experiences. After completing this survey, please submit your answers via the web. Your name will then be entered into the final drawing at the Center for the Advancement of Leadership’s Annual Leadership Conference on October 4 (8:45am-1:00pm) at the McKay Events Center. I thank you for your willingness to participate in this study and hope it will be an educational experience for you. Let us begin.
If you have not heard of these words or concepts, let us describe the experience for you. Read the descriptions below and decide if you have ever had an experience like this:
“My mind wasn’t wandering. I was not thinking of something else. I was totally involved in what I was doing. My body felt good. I didn’t seem to hear anything. The world seemed to be cut off from me. I was less aware of my problems and myself.”
“My concentration was like breathing. I never thought of it. I was really quite oblivious to my surroundings after I really got going. I thought that the phone could ring, and the doorbell could ring, or the house could burn down or something like that. When I started, I really did shut out the whole world. Once I stopped, I could let it back in again.”
“I was so involved in what I was doing. I didn’t see myself as separate from what I was doing.” (Taken from Csikszentmihalyi & Csikszentmihalyi, Optimal Experience, 1988. (pp. 139-140)
Additional words or phrases that describe flow might be:
• In the groove • In the zone • Effortless • Total absorption • Positive moods • Interested in the activity for its own sake • Losing yourself or being totally engrossed in the experience
Given your willingness to share your flow experiences and strategies, we will be asking you several questions that will help you think deeper about these experiences as well as your process or processes for replicating these experiences.
After completing this survey, please submit your answers via the web. Your name will then be entered into the final drawing at the Center for the Advancement of Leadership’s Annual Leadership Conference on October 4 (8:45am-1:00pm) at the McKay Events Center.
I thank you for your willingness to participate in this study and hope it will be an educational experience for you.
Let us begin.
4. Can you describe one or more life arenas (i.e., sports, school, social settings, hobbies, etc…) where you currently experience flow? In essence, in what circumstances or in what activities do you find yourself in flow?
5. Within these life arenas can you rate the percentage of your flow experiences that take place when you are alone vs. when you are with others?
Of all my flow experiences % of them take place when I am alone or engaged with a self-absorbing activity?
Of all my flow experiences % of them take place when I am with at least one other person or a larger group?
26. Currently, what keeps flow going once it starts?
27. Currently, what types of things take you out of your flow?
In Box A, please identify the strategy. For example, do you use goal-setting, visualization, meditation, self-talk, focus, music, etc… In Box B, give as much detail as you can about each strategy that you use. Describe how you go about or “do” each strategy. In Box C, please tell us how you came up with these strategies (Chance, Trial & Error, Learned, life experience, etc…).
A.
B.
C.
31. What else would you like to say about your flow experiences that we haven’t already asked you?