Gaining energy in solitude
On introversion-extroversion, flow, energy, and different activities in solitude, various researchers have developed certain ideas on the subjects. Leary et al. (2002), note that individuals balance their interpersonal involvement with time they spend alone. However, they differ largely in the level to which they involve in and take pleasure in solitary activities. It is clearly noted that people achieve numerous advantages from living and affiliating with others. Even with this fact, most people even those that are greatly sociable spend a significant amount of their time on their own as a result of life circumstance or by choice. Although solitude is associated with alienation and feelings of loneliness, studies reveal that spending time away from other individuals predicts psychological well-being and life satisfaction. In fact, some studies have revealed that the capability of finding pleasure in activities of solitude is related to mental health. It is essential to note that people differ in the extent of finding pleasure in such activities. Individuals might resort to solitary activities as a result of having little desire to relate with others, or because they are disposed positively to be alone. Individuals have a desire to relate with one another because of some few reasons (Leary et al., 2002). These include to gain emotional support, attain emotional attention, for social comparison, and because they find other individuals stimulating. All in all, this happens because individuals are motivated to seek contact with other individuals. The same case happens in extraversion that involves the willingness to spend time with others in order to attain social acceptance and feel a sense of belongingness. This is opposed to introversion that refers to aspects of solitude. They feel that they cannot attain this if they lead a solitary life. Individuals that desire to lead solitary lives, on the other hand, are driven by the desire for privacy, interpersonal reserve, desire for isolation, and wish to control their lives. This promotes people to stay alone and engage in solitary activities. In this case, the activities may involve visiting places such as shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship alone. This is what gives them pleasure.
Peterson et al. (2005) are concerned with how good life can be achieved for different individuals. A sovereign principle has been proposed by psychologists and philosophers that individuals need to follow for them to be happy. In this case, the principle is aimed at minimizing pain while maximizing pleasure. Some of the factors related to these have to do with flow and energy within a person that direct a person in involving in activities aimed at increasing pleasure and reducing pain. In this case, flow refers to is the state of mental operation in which an individual who is performing an activity is completely engrossed in feelings of energized concern, complete involvement, as well as, the finding of pleasure in the activity process. It is characterized by whole absorption in what an individual does. This also involves the concept of positive psychology, which works with an individual’s level of flow and energy to attain maximum pleasure in the activity undertaken by the individual. Peterson et al. (2005), flow is associated with focused motivation. They propose the concept of being true to oneself if this objective is to be achieved. This is because real happiness involves identifying the virtues of oneself, cultivating these virtues, and living as per the virtues. In addition, as part of positive psychology, individuals should develop what is best within them and use their talents and skills to do what best they are capable of doing. According to Peterson et al. (2005), flow differs from sensual pleasure. In fact, it is non-conscious and non-emotional. This implies the distinct nature of flow. Individuals may describe it as enjoyable. In any given time, pleasure and flow are may be incompatible. It is crucial to note that although the for search a meaningful life may at times produce flow for some people such as those that volunteer in hospices, it is not all activities that produce flow that are meaningful in connecting a person to a greater life. In addition, it is not all meaningful activities, which involve the complete absorption that may be used to define flow.
Subjectivity vitality refers to a positive feeling of energy and aliveness (Ryan and Frederick, 2005). The concept is hypothesized to represent organismic welfare and; therefore, must co-differ with somatic and psychological factors that have an impact on the energy, which is available to the self. There are relations that exist between indexes of psychological welfare and subjective vitality, somatic factors including effective dispositions and personality traits, and perceived functioning of the body and physical symptoms. Feelings of aliveness are notably variable aspect of individual experience. Individuals often talk of being specifically alive in certain events or circumstances. The sense of energy and aliveness refers to being more than aroused or active. It is driven by some psychological factors and it can, therefore, be noted that energy and aliveness are psychological traits or have some aspects of psychological factors. These concepts are essential indicators of individual welfare although there is no much focus on the matter by researchers. Subjectivity vitality, in this case, can be explained as the experience of possessing positive energy within the control or available to an individual’s self. It implies the extent that a person is free of external controls and conflicts and has feelings of ability of effecting a particular action (Ryan and Frederick, 2005). A person that experiences this reports a higher level of vitality. In simple terms, this form of energy matches with an individual’s potential of action. This should be accompanied by experiences of integration and autonomy (self actualization). Other variables related to an individual’s perceptions are also essential. On the other hand, demands and conflicts on self that threaten actualization and self-regulation especially those related to feelings of lack of autonomy, relatedness, and acceptance diminish subjective vitality. Feelings such as anxiety, pressure, or jitteriness that are not related to personal control are negatively associated with vitality. Vitality is also affected by somatic factors. Subjective vitality experience should be promoted by health, and this can be observed when an individual is exceedingly active. Somatic factors, on the other hand, drain an individual’s energy that is available, as well as, blocks the effectual functioning. These are also said to diminish subjective vitality. Furthermore, stressors that are related to health particularly those that present possible threats to one’s autonomy. From this viewpoint, although challenges that are physical in nature affect vitality, their effect may be interfered by the functional significance or meaning of such challenges in relation to the self (Ryan and Frederick, 2005).
Personality traits have a considerable impact on work flow in organizations (Desiderio, 2009). This implies that work performance among employees is highly influenced by their personality traits. One’s personality also has an influence on his or her type of occupation. These are as a result of introversion and extroversion. The energy in extroversion is outward and directed towards things and people. Therefore, extroverts frequently express emotions at work and require a lot of stimulation. Their motivation comes from other people and like action and success. In most cases, extroverts are confident and relaxed and seek to work with other people at work. On the other hand, introverts have inward energy that is directed towards ideas and concepts. As these people suffer from sensory overload, they tend to get concerned with the inner worlds and spend a lot of time outside other people. They deal with their own emotions, which can be dangerous in some situations. These people have a reserved attitude even at work and like working alone. Thus, extroverts show enthusiasm and energy at work, communicate frequently and openly, and focus on the outside world. On the other hand, introverts do not trust people and want to work on their own as they focus on the internal world (Desiderio, 2009).
References
Desiderio, K. P. (2009). The effect of personality traits on work flow experiences of employees at four organizations.
Leary, M. R., Herbst, K. C., & McCrary, F. (2002). Finding pleasure in solitary activities: desire for aloneness or disinterest in social contact?. Personality and Individual Differences, 35 (1), 59–68.
Peterson, C., Park, N., & Seligman, M. E. (2005). Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction: the full life versus the empty life. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6(1), 25–41.
Ryan, R. M., & Frederick, C. (2005). Journal of personality. Subjective Vitality, 1(1), 529-565.
