Feeling More Fully Alive

I have learned a lot from the work of University of Chicago psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. In his work FLOW, Csikszentmihalyi wrote about an optimal state of inner experience where people feel fully engaged in an activity which brings them great satisfaction.In his book CREATIVITY, Csikszentmihalyi examines how this optimal state of inner experience, this “flow” state, interacts with the creative process. He writes:“Creativity is a central source of meaning in our lives for several reasons. Here I want to mention only the two main ones. First, most of the things that are interesting, important, and “human” are the results of creativity. . . The second reason creativity is so fascinating is that when we are involved in it, we feel that we are living more fully than during the rest of our life.”I don’t think I’ve ever found a better description of my personal experience of the creative process – that when I am participating in the creative process I feel more fully alive than during the rest of my life. This is why my work as a lawyer and a mediator is focused on creative projects and teams.For so many, though, the creative process has peaks and valleys. When the process is working smoothly, it’s almost as if the creator is merely channeling creative energy from a higher power. Some have described creativity as being a hollow bone through which creative power flows.When the process is not working smoothly, however, the creative process can feel like a punishment. This is especially true when collaborators cannot achieve a shared vision or cannot establish a productive working relationship.Because we have been taught the myth of the lone genius, many creative people do not think to ask for help when they hit a creative wall, or when a creative collaboration is stumbling rather than moving forward gracefully. But there is help available. Help can take the form of a friend, a colleague or a mentor. Sometimes a neutral third party can help collaborators get the wheels back on the cart.So don’t be afraid to ask for help if your creative process is blocked or stuck.