Absorbed engagement occurs when challenge matches skill and feedback is immediate.
Csikszentmihalyi's 1975 finding from surveying surgeons, climbers and chess players. The condition is specific: challenge slightly above current skill, with feedback fast enough to correct within the act.
In practice
- A junior developer given tickets slightly beyond their current level loses an afternoon without noticing; the same person on trivial tickets watches the clock.
- A climber on a route one grade above their comfort is completely absorbed; two grades above they are frightened and one below they are bored.
- Further reading
- Wikipedia
- Subject
- Creativity & Work
- Essay
- Protecting the conditions for good work