Flow Experience - A Key To Happiness

What is flow experience?

Flow experience is a concept defined by Csikszentmihalyi to describe those moments when you are completely and collectively absorbed in an activity. As such, everything else is forgotten. You have total concentration and nothing else matters. You are no longer aware of what is going on around you. The rest of the world is forgotten.

When you are in a flow experience, your focus is so complete that you forget about sleeping and eating. You are not even aware of yourself; you are immersed in the activity you are engaged in.

Sincemore, since you are so engrossed in the activity, your experience of time changes. You are so absorbed that the past and future are forgotten. Time absolutely flies by, although you are not aware of this at the time. It is only when you come out of the activity that you notice how much time has passed.

You can have a flow experience with any activity that is mindful and requires you to actively participate in it. As such, good conversation, reading a novel, playing sport, working on your hobby, letter writing, gardening, even cleaning the house are examples where you can experience flow. Passive activities such as watching television and sport are not conducive to a flow experience. You will probably know when you have had a flow experience as you will get that feel-good buzz afterwards of having engaged in something engrossing.

Whilst you are engaged in your activity, you will feel completely in control and are not worried about success or failure. The activity fees effortless but engaging. To the objective observer the activity may look risky and demanding (for example, surfing), but not to you, the participant.

We all possess the ability to engage in flow experiences and the more we have, the happier we are.

Why is it important?

• Flow enables you to focus and have total control and concentration during a particular experience.
• Understanding flow enables you to focus your attention at will, rather than waiting for something to come and grab your attention.
• Your skills are being used at their very best - you are giving your all.
• It can help you achieve your goals, since you are free from intrusive thoughts and events.
• It will enhance your well-being and happiness.
• Understanding flow can help you understand why you are procrastinating on a particular issue. Have a look at the conditions needed for a flow experience and reflect on them in terms of the task you are struggling to stay.

The three conditions to a flow experience

Csikszentmihalyi stipulates three conditions that must be met in order to have a flow experience:

1. Your chosen activity should have a clearly defined set of goals. This will help you focus your energy and give you direction.
2. You want a good balance between your perceived skills and perceived challenges. The important point here is 'perceived' rather than actual. It is a mind-state. If you believe your skills far surpass the challenge, you will become bored as it will be too easy for you. Whereas, if you perceive the challenge as being too hard for you, you will become frustrated.
3. Feedback is essential. It will enable you to modify your actions if necessary, to keep you in the flow. The feedback can be negative as well as positive. It can enable you to move on and progress (providing you have the skills to do so).
How to have more flow experiences Flow can occur with any activity, provided it is mindful. What is important is how the activity is carried out. Take a look at the following tips to help you towards engaging in regular flow experiences:

• Avoid multi-tasking. Trying to do two (or more) things at once is no way to achieve flow. It is not possible to give your all to two tasks at the same time. This will reduce your enjoyment and quite possibly the outcome may be compromised. Try to cut down on multi-tasking even for the most everyday chores.
• Try not to check your email every five minutes if you are working on a computer. Choose a time to read it and give it your full attention.
• Limit your distractions. Is there anything in your environment that is preventing you from achieving flow? Temperature, noise, layout, objects, other people, level of light can make a difference.
• Determine your goals and break them down into achievable chunks. Make sure these chunks are adequately challenging to keep your interest.
• Try new activities and develop new skills. The more your skills develop, the more pleasure you will receive. You may experience boredom or frustration early on. So take care to monitor your progress to check the activity is interesting enough and within your capability. Modify your goals if you need to.
• To keep experiencing flow with a particular activity you will need to increase the challenge - one that you believe you can meet. As your skills develop, the activity can become boring as it no longer requires as much attention. A new challenge will not only up your interest but enhance your expertise.
• How is your job? You spend a great chunk of your life in work, so you really want to obtain as many flow experiences as possible. If you are feeling bored, is there anything you can do to make it more challenging?
• Try to obtain regular feedback on what you are doing. It could be from yourself or another person.
• Avoid mindless activities which you do not actively get involved in - for example, watching television.

Read more

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1991) Flow: the Psychology of Optimal Experience.

Auto Glass Cleaning - Tips for Sparkling Clean Windows and Mirrors

The windows of your car take a beating from dirt, bugs, bird droppings and other debris. But with a few simple techniques and a little know-how, you can make even the dirtiest windows sparkle. Here's a list of helpful glass cleaning tips to get your windows brilliantly clean - and without leaving behind streaks, scratches, residue or lint.

1. The first step is to choose an auto glass cleaner . Make sure your glass cleaner does not contain ammonia, alcohol or any ingredient that could produce toxic fumes. Beyond the obvious health concerns of inhaling these fumes, consider the impact your automotive cleaning products have on the environment. There are car care products on the market that are 100% biodegradable, non-toxic and recyclable that have the same great cleaning power as traditional cleaning products.

2. Any product containing ammonia is a definite no-no when it comes to auto detailing. Ammonia and ammonia fumes cause plastic, rubber, vinyl and leather to dry out, and will damage any tint your windows may have. Do your homework and you will not end up destroying your vehicle's interior while you're trying to clean it!

3. The type of towel you choose to clean your windows with can make all the difference. Choose a high-quality, glass cleaning microfiber towel at at least 300 GSM. Microfiber towels can hold up to eight times their weight in water, are lint-free and will not cause scratches. An electrostatic charge causes dirt and debris to be lifted up and away from the surface, rather than swept across it. Old t-shirts, towels, socks and newspaper are not the best choice when cleaning your car's glass, and will likely cause scratches, streaks and missed spots.

4. If you are cleaning the entire interior of your car, save your windows and rear-view mirror for last to avoid getting stray spray from other cleaning products on your freshly cleaned glass. You can also avoid stray spray by spraying your window cleaner (and other applicable interior auto detailing products) onto the microfiber towel - not directly on the surface.

5. Another factor to keep in mind is the motion you buff with your microfiber towel. While a circular motion may appear to be actively buffing away any streaks from your windows, a straight back-and-forth and then up-and-down motion will ensure that the entire surface has been cleaned and wiped down thoroughly.

6. Remember when cleaning your windows or mirrors to use one towel (or one side of a towel) to wipe the surface clean, and a second to buff the surface to a residual-free shine. Not only do you need two clean towel surfaces per swipe, but per window. The last thing you want to do is spread the dirt and dead bugs that you wiped off of your windshield onto the next window you clean. Make sure you have enough clean towels to avoid contaminating one window with the last one's mess.

7. Avoid cleaning your vehicle's windows in direct sunlight or very hot conditions, if possible. This is especially important if you are using a window cleaner containing harsh chemicals. When the liquid evaporates, the fumes left behind could easily be inhaled, posing a serious health risk. Even with non-toxic window cleaners, evaporation can also mean a spotty residue before your towel even hits the glass.

8. The easiest place to overlook when cleaning your vehicle's windows is the small edging area at the top of the window. Often, this area is especially dirty from build up in the rubber lip. Be sure you roll each window window down several inches to clean this area on both the interior and exterior of the glass.

9. Ever get a build up on the edges of your windshield wipers that causes blurry areas on your windshield? Wipe down your blades with a damp cloth and a bit of white vinegar. The vinegar will remove the debris that's stuck on the blades and allow them to make full contact with the windshield again. If after a wipe down, your windshield wipers have not improved any, you may be due for a new pair. And do not forget to clean out your wiper cowl once in a while! The wiper cowl is the area at the base of the windshield where your wipers lay when not in use. Keeping this area free of grime will greatly reduce the amount of debris on your wipers.

The Art of Finding the Right Gift For Someone You Hardly Know (But Have to Buy a Gift For Anyway)

Choosing just the right gift for your kids or you soul mate or your sister is fun. You know what pleases them. The only challenge is deciding what will please them the most . That truly special gift that will produce the largest smile.

Heck, you smile just thinking about their reaction.

Plus it's usually a pretty easy choice. After all, they've told you. In the case of your kids, they've probably told you more than once.

Your soul mate and your sister (or brother or best friend) have certainly dropped enough hints. And anyway, you've known them long enough so that, by now, you know what pleases them just about as well as they know themselves.

Of course, sometimes money will do the trick. Five bucks to the kid at the gas station. Fifty to your apartment Super.

But there are times when only an in-a-box gift-wrapped gift will do. These are the 'got to' gifts that make us heave a sigh of (dare we say this at holiday time?) Annoyance.

Because these are the gifts we're compelled to give to virtual strangers. Like the receptionist whose name we've randomly picked for a gift-exchange at the office Christmas party. The sum total of our interaction has been mutual good-mornings in the elevator.

Or perhaps we've just been informed that Cousin Emma will be bringing her latest beau to the family gathering, and we really can not leave him as the odd-man out in the gift exchanging.

Whatever the reason, we just want to get it over with. At minimum cost.

But would not it be more fun to make choosing such gifts. . . well, more fun? Or at least interesting?

You can, you know. All you have to do is release your Inner Sleuth.

Come on, now. Who does not like a good mystery? Movie. Novel. Game of Clue . For most of us, it's fun to solve things. Makes us feel smart.

So for the Sherlock Holmes hidden away in all of us, go ahead and resolve The Mystery of What the Stranger Wants . Gumshoe. PI. Detective. Sleuth. Pick the title of your choice and get to work.

Next time you see that receptionist, pay attention. What color is she wearing? What kind of jewelry? Instead of just 'good morning,' ask if she's read the latest best-seller. No? Aha! A challenge for you, Sherlock: How to ask what she's interested in without being obvious.

If you have trouble eliciting the desired information, you might engage a college (or two) to help you with the sleuthing so it does not sound like an interrogation. Set up some little scripts. Make it sound like impromptu chats about art today, poetry tomorrow, global warming on Friday morning.

Or try sniffing: what perfume is she wearing?

As for Emma's beau, a little long-distance sleuthing is in order. Emma's mother (or sister or brother brother) may profitably be chatted up on the phone.

Perhaps an e-mail to Emma herself telling her you're just dying for her to tell you about what's-his-name. Gush a little, and you may learn a lot.

But remember: this is an undercover investigation. The payoff comes when the wrapping paper is torn off.

When the receptionist gasps, "August Schildkraut's The Philosophy of Autonomy ! It's perfect! However did you know?"

When Emma's beau can not wait to find a computer so that he can transfer that CD of Lawrence Welk's Favorite Polkas into his iPod.

When everyone's smiling. Yes, Sherlock: even you.

Hyundai i10 - Sporty and Smooth Looks

Hyundai i10 by Hyundai Motor group considered is as liveliest and vibrant car. It is a premium hatchback model and gaining good feedback from the side of customers. Launched in the year 2007, it is offering good competition to other luxury models offered by Hyundai, Ford and Skoda. If you wish to enjoy comfortable journey, you can select Hyundai i10 without any second thought. Sporty and smooth looks make it quite attractive and popular.

Basically, Hyundai i10 is available in two different versions:
1. Hyundai 1.1 iRDE
2. Hyundai i10 Kappa

Hyundai 1.1 IRDE includes i10 D-Lite, i10 Era and i10 Magna.

Hyundai i10 1.2L Kappa includes Magna (O), Sportz GLS, Magna AT, Sportz AT GLS, Hyundai i10 Asta GLS, Hyundai i10 Asta WS GLS and Asta AT WS GLS.

Available Colors: Crystal White, Oyster Gray, Alpine Blue, Blushing Red, Champagne Gold, Virtual Yellow, Stone Black, Electric Red, Deep Ocean Blue and Sleek White. It is nature of human beings that we love different colors.

Engine
When it comes to engine of the vehicle, Kappa version is outfitted with an engine aptitude of 1.2 liters. Additionally, it comes with an automatic transmission and genes 81 bhp of solid power and maximum torque of 11.4 Kgm @ 4000 rpm. Hyundai i10 has all-aluminum, 4 cylinder engine with features such as Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC). The 1.2 liter engine is Euro-V submissive with the CO2 release level standing at a bare minimum of just 119g / km. Advanced safety features promise safe and protective driving.

Cryptocurrencies: Real Money or a Fad?

2017 is the year of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin jumped from a few thousand dollars' worth and broke records by crossing the $ 20,000 mark. Ethereum's Ether is higher than ever. New journals are popping up every day and people are buying them in a frenzy.

So, are these codes of programming real money or a fad that will die in time? Let's review:

SAVING MONEY

Have you ever sent money to someone through banking channels? Different banks have different protocols, but all have one thing in common: They charge you for it. Yes, you may say that your bank gives you a few fee transactions a month, but it puts other restrictions where you are forced to pay for those particular services.

With digital journals such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, you still have to pay to transfer money over to someone, but the transaction "charges" you give to miners are much lower than what traditional banks offer you.

SAVING TIME

Sending cryptocurrency to someone living in any part of the world is as easy as writing an email. All you have to do is to ask for the receiver's address, log in your wallet and send the desired amount. You can then go around doing whatever you do in your daily life and the money will be transferred.

UNIVERSAL CURRENCY

OK, so the title is misleading a bit. There are tons of cryptocurrency out there, so you and the receiver may not have the same currency wallet. If the receiver is flexible (and you have the convincing power), he or she can set up an electronic wallet for your currency in no time.

The most widely accepted currency is Bitcoin and if you have it, you will not face any problem of different currency acceptance.

INVESTMENT

With financial crises everywhere and the inflation rate rising rapidly, you will one day find that all those dollars you saved do not have much buying power in a decade or so. The wise thing is to invest them in something that will not depreciate over time. Enter Cryptocurrency! Mostly because of the way these treaties are programmed, they will be very limited in circulation, unlike paper based currency where you can just print off more.

A simple case of supply and demand will always ensure that cryptocurrency will have an ever increasing value.

So, there you have it: Cryptocurrencies are not a fad in my opinion. All you have to do is know which one to buy.

Features and Functions of the New Pajero Sport

The new Pajero Sport ie the Pajero Sport 2016 reportedly debuted in Thailand in August 2015. The designers and craftsmen at Mitsubishi have ensured that the new car has a mind-blowing exterior and have also included a series of fascinating features to its interior. The car comes with an X-shaped bumper in its front and will offer you a machismo feel at the first glance. Experts are saying that the company has created this new version of Sport particularly for the speed lovers. To know more about the vehicle's features and functions read through the discussion below.

The Pajero Sport 2016 boasts a truly tough design. The car's chassis has a parametric ladder frame design, which makes it slightly longer compared to its predecessor. If you are a car enthusiast, you will know that the exterior of this vehicle has been borrowed from that of the GR-HEV Utility Concept. It possesses slim swept headlights on its back and a sturdy character line bordering its side profile. These features provide the SUV an absolutely dashing look.

Let us now discuss about the performance of the vehicle. For offering the performance every SUV owner desires, the vehicle comes equipped with a 2.5 l, 4-cylinders diesel engine. According to experts, this engine is capable of producing power of up to 176 bhp at 4000 rotations per minute. The torque offered by the engine at peak, on the other hand, is also pretty impressive at 400 nm. In short, few rival vehicle models will be able to beat this Mitsubishi creation when it comes to power and transmission.

Another amazing quality of the vehicle is its on-road stability. A wheelbase of 3,000 mm allows the car to be more stable when on the go than the majority of its competitors.

The Pajero Sport 2016 is special not only because of its exterior, but also due to its plush interior. The manufacturer has made sure that motorists do not struggle to maneuver the car by adding user-friendly driving features to it. The driving experience has been enhanced even further through inclusion of sensory suspensions, which allow motorists to effortlessly spot the slightest of bumps on the road.

The interior of the new Pajero Sport is quite spacious. There's ample legroom to ensure that passengers can spread their legs comfortably when traveling on this vehicle. In addition, there's also sufficient space for positioning the arms.

The seat dedicated for the driver is an absolutely compact grid. Sitting on it, you will be able to reach all the controls and buttons in the car without any difficulty.

Online Jewelry Stores

Online Jewelry Stores give you the ability to comparison shop, and discover the best and most beautiful trinkets from all around the world. You won't have to drive from store to store, to find your best option, and you won't have to wait in lines for service (especially during the holiday season) to find the gift or decoration you've been searching for.

We know that visiting a jewelry store is a special occasion and should be irritate free experience. With the help of competent staff available on all website you'll always know that what you see on the website is exactly what you'll get. With high quality pictures and a decent description of jewelry you'll know what you're buying. By providing the best on-line service in the industry, Jewelry Vortex has positioned itself as a leader among online jewelry stores Jewelry Vortex also strives to provide in the complicated jewelry buyers taste, with a selection of wedding bands and birth stone jewelry all in one easy to reach, online store. Jewelry stores can satisfy your needs and assure you best value for money. If you're looking for high quality products and a pleasant online shopping experience, Jewelry stores is the place to shop. Why pay more at current jewelry stores when you can get it cheaper at Jewelry stores

Nothing better places convenience, great prices, and selection right at your fingertips than shopping at the thousands of online jewelry stores across the World Wide Web.

It's so simple to take advantage of online jewelry stores when they're all right there in your own home, waiting for you to discover them and explore all of the wonderful opportunities that await you. You can have more online jewelry stores open on your screen than you have fingers for rings! You can compare quality, selection, shipping, price, and any other variables you happen to find important.

Online Jewelry Stores are your key to great quality and fair prices!Another great benefit to shopping at online jewelry stores is that the sellers know that there is tremendous competition on the internet, and therefore, they try as hard as they can to make their own shops and products as attractive as possible. This only ensures that you will be provided with the best possible deal with the best possible quality! When it comes to online jewelry stores you can't lose!For the best quality and value for your money, online jewelry stores are your best bet!