Good day, Purposeful Hearts! Today is the final installment on our creative thinking series as we’ve explored Carson’s CREATES model of the various ways we engage in the creative process. Can you believe we’re actually at the end? Don’t despair – this is an especially fun brain set to think about!
The Stream brain set is quite similar to the state of “flow” we can achieve when we’re engaged in our work, play, or relational lives. It’s a state of being in which time seems to fade away and you become completely engrossed in the activity before you. When is the last time you felt this state of flow or Stream in your life? (I hope you have many memories to choose from, as the activities that allow you to feel flow are often deeply connected to your personality, your gifts, and your purpose!
According to Csikszentmihalyi, the positive psychology researcher behind the concept of flow, there are six different attributes of this brain state. First, we experience a merging of action and awareness, meaning our focus becomes completely attuned to the present and we almost observe our own hands completing the work. Second, as I alluded to above, any distractions around us go unnoticed when we’re in the Stream brain set. (In other words, your kids might have to speak up a bit to catch your attention and snap you out of your creative frenzy!) In addition, you lose your sense of time, and it seems to move more quickly than usual.
One incredible side effect of the Stream brain set is that we lose our fear of failure. We have such confidence that our current skills are a great match for the task, so we just freely move forward in creative delight. Pause here for a second and realize how awesome it is to squelch the fear of failure sometimes – flow is a great ally! Additionally, any self-conscious thoughts we might otherwise have disappear when we’re in Stream; it naturally turns down the volume on our self-critical voices. Finally, there’s no need to incentivize work that puts you into a state of flow; the activity is a reward in and of itself!
Sounds wonderful, right? I hope you access this state of being often. If you need a little help brainstorming, consider the areas of expertise in your life. What do you do exceptionally well? Then, out of those areas, which ones capture your heart the most and offer intrinsic motivation? If you have those key ingredients, let the creativity and improvisation fly, because Carson would tell you that you’ve got the perfect recipe for activating the Stream brain set. Happy creating, Purposeful Hearts!
Carson, S. (2012). Your Creative Brain: Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life. Jossey-Bass.
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