Innovative entrepreneurs may be more likely to experience what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls flow. “Flow” occurs when an individual forgets about the outside world due to being thoroughly engaged in a process or activity. Csikszentmihalyi suggested that breakthrough innovations tend to occur at the hands of individuals in that state. Other research has concluded that a strong internal motivation is a vital ingredient for breakthrough innovation.
Flow can be compared to Maria Montessori’s concept of normalization, a state that includes a child’s capacity for joyful and lengthy periods of intense concentration. Csikszentmihalyi acknowledged that Montessori’s prepared environment offers children opportunities to achieve flow. Thus quality and type of early education may influence entrepreneurial capability.
By the way, Wikipedia was co-founded by Jimmy Wales, a former Montessori student, who attributes much of his entrepreneurial spirit to his Montessori experience. Imagine that!
Tomorrow’s Child / September 2017 / p 38
