In a dimly lit jazz club, a pianist’s fingers dance effortlessly across the keys, sending the audience in an utter awe state. In a high-rise office, a CEO sits at their desk, lost in a similar trance, as innovative ideas flow seamlessly into a series of groundbreaking strategies. Though the scenes appear worlds apart, they share a common thread.
The concept of the flow state, as explored by psychologists like Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, describes a state of deep immersion where individuals lose track of time and are fully engaged in their tasks. This state is frequently experienced by musicians during performances, athletes in competition, and writers in the midst of their creation. American author Steven Kotler, in his book - The Art of Impossible, further emphasizes that flow is a key component of peak performance across various fields, taking ‘note’ musicians as paragons of individuals who regularly enter this optimal state.
Musicians often describe being ‘in the zone’, where the music seems to play itself, and they are merely conduits of sounds. This effortless concentration is not accidental but the result of countless hours of deliberate practice. Research shows that ‘deep practice,’ characterized by intense focus, builds myelin in the brain, enhancing skill and mastery. This neurological foundation isn’t exclusive to music.
When Julie Choi, CEO CBK Partners, steps onto a stage to deliver a keynote speech or into a boardroom, her preparation is as meticulous and methodical, as her days at Juilliard preparing for a performance. The same deep practice, emotional attunement, and strategic anticipation she honed as a concert pianist now drive her success as a CEO. This seamless transition from musical mastery to business acumen raises a compelling question: does the discipline and flow state cultivated in music enhance success in other high-pressure domains?
Adam Grant, the renowned organizational psychologist, often speaks about the influence of his early years playing the saxophone, making a difference in his journey. Grant notes that there is a direct correlation between Nobel-prize-winning scientists and their passion for artistic performance. Albert Einstein, an accomplished violinist, often found his flow state performing Mozart and Bach, famously remarked once - I often think in music, I live my daydreams in music. His dual passions exemplify how creativity and performance can fuel intellectual and professional achievements.
Whether on stage or in the boardroom, Julie Choi applies principles of rigorous preparation, emotional and strategic awareness. This ability to enter a flow state is where peak performance becomes possible. “Life is a performance,” Julie says, emphasizing the importance of dedication, discipline, and mastery. These qualities, honed through musical training, equip individuals to navigate the complexities of any challenge in business or in life. In her Commencement address at The Juilliard School recently, she further shows how arts profoundly shape how we listen, learn, and flourish.
Julie Choi’s artistic excellence mirrors her approach to business. Just as a pianist deconstructs a complex piece into manageable sections and gradually builds them into a seamless performance, Julie prepares for her professional engagements utilizing these principles. She considers the intent behind her messages, the emotional responses she aims to evoke, and the dynamics of her audience - skills she refined with an open heart and open mind in her musical training. “Beyond rigorous preparation, creativity and emotional awareness are channeled to achieve flow state in high-pressure domains.”
Leaders in tech innovation and neuroscience are coming together in the emerging and exciting field of neuroaesthetics. Susan Magsamen of Johns Hopkins University and Ivy Ross’ of Google - Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, goes deep into the neurological mechanisms affected by creating and appreciating art and enhancing our ability to innovate and think adaptively. As more research in neuroaesthetics and interdisciplinary studies emerges, the transformative power of the arts in personal and professional development becomes truly evident.
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Original Source of the original story >> Do The Arts Matter in Achieving The Flow of Success?
