One of our readings this week that we also discussed in our workshop was …
Keith Sawyer, 2007, Group Genius: The creative power of collaboration, New York: Basic Books, 2007, pp.39-57, where he talks a lot about creativity. The main idea being flow which is the heightened state of consciousness, e.g. when painting or something you often go into another state when in that creative moment happens as well with music so it combines to one thing and not two separate things.
10 conditions that he points out to reach this state of flow
- The groups goal (it must be clear)
- Close Listening (deep listening – no distractions)
- Complete concentration (be really focused on the task)
- Being in control of the Project
- Blended ego’s (being part of the group and not going of on your own)
- Equal participation
- Familiarity (problem solving)
- Communication (FB, text etc.)
- Moving it forward (listen, understand and build on it)
- The potential for failure
This has allowed me to reflect back of when I myself have been in a state of flow, often this comes from a space of peacefulness and comfort. There have been times where I have been writing an essay and every word is just falling onto the page, I am completely cut off and unaware of anything going on around me because all my attention is on that work. This zone is a space I love to get into but it’s often hard to achieve. The distractions that are around such as my phone, music and thoughts always seem to get in the way so I have to find a way to control it. To find a space where you can just shut off and use a deeper level of attention is the place where I’m not only am the most productive but also the place that I feel the most achievement and satisfaction. This happens too in a creative headspace where I draw or sketch I am not drawing and thinking about whats around me I am fully immersed in that experience.
So whats so important about this well its a space that I must try to achieve when working not only in the group project but throughout all my work. In order to achieve high quality work I need to write in this flow sate of consciousness.
