Csikszentmihalyi and Russell Flow in the Workplace

In the opening book of the Bible Adam is punished for his disobedience by having to toil and work for a living. Since the early ages of humankind, work has always existed. Whether it is the work of the hunter-gatherers to go out and provide food to today's cubicle workers work has always been regarded as both a burden and a relief. Some feel that it burdens them with stress and takes time away from leisure. Some love their jobs and enjoy every minute of them. Mihayli Csikszentmihalyi and Bertrand Russell both believe that work is good and can be beneficial and enjoyable. Csikszentmihalyi applies his theory of flow to work and argues that flow can be found in the workplace and that workers should be challenged. Russell argues that work is good if it is enjoyable and it takes away boredom and challenges a person or requires the use of specific skills. Russell writes that "There are in work all grades from mere relief of tedium up to the profoundest delights, according to the nature of the work and the abilities of the worker" (Russell 293). Through interviews with Michelle Mamich, Michelle Gruelich and Taylor McDonald, I propose that jobs should be more flow conductive, prevent boredom, and utilize different skills and challenges. Finally, I have asked them what they would change about their jobs and how they think, they can be improved to meet those requirements.

Michelle Mamich is a lifeguard instructor at Tomahawk Lake Waterpark in New Jersey. She is also responsible for Aquatic Operations and oversees the day-to-day operations of the waterpark. She teaches lifeguards and runs in-services and audits during the summer. Michelle Gruelich is a Supervisor/Lead in a retail store, 'Tides', for Palace Entertainment's Mountain Creek...

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...t improve flow but right now are not necessary benefits. Taylor's job is by nature involved with play through athletics and such flow is generally associated with athletics. Not all three workplaces are boring except on a few occasions. Each job requires different skills and each interviewee has to employ different skills and talents throughout the workday. There are a few challenges in each job but no challenge too tough to interfere with each interviewee's enjoyment of the job. Csikszentmihalyi and Russell would find that the workplaces of the interviewees are ideal for flow and enjoyment on the job.

Works Cited

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly. "Work as Flow." Schmersahl and Sollenberger 16-40.

Russell, Bertrand. "Work." Schmersahl and Sollenberger 293-300.

Schmersahl, Carmen B. and Michael Sollenberger, eds. Choices. 7th ed. Acton, MA:

Copley, 2002.