The Flow of Fixing Your Bench | Sam O'Neill | TEDxYouth@ASIJ

TL;DR

The author shares their experience of fixing a broken bench during a theater production and how it led to a state of flow, boosting their self-efficacy and confidence.

Transcript

so this is what it's like to be out here okay I might have to cut the actors a bit more slack it's different when you're out here with the lights on you see normally I'm either backstage or in the workshop during theater Productions because I work in stage crew the magic that makes uh Productions more than just a bunch of people standing around on ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤳 Taking on challenges and succeeding in them can significantly boost self-efficacy and confidence.
• 💐 Flow, a state of complete immersion, enhances focus and enjoyment in tasks.
• 🤳 Mastery experiences and personal accomplishments are crucial for increasing self-efficacy.
• ✋ High self-efficacy contributes to persistence, effort, and success in various endeavors.
• 🥺 Challenging circumstances that are within a person's abilities can lead to a state of flow.
• 💐 A balance between challenge and skill level is essential to maintain flow.
• 🤳 Flow and self-efficacy are interconnected, with each influencing and reinforcing the other.
• 🥺 Stepping out of one's comfort zone and taking risks can lead to personal growth and learning.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the author's role as a stage crew leader come about?

Each year, a stage crew veteran becomes the leader, and for the past two years, it had been a senior. This year, as a sophomore with the most experience, the author was chosen as the leader.

Q: Why did the author decide to fix the broken bench themselves instead of using a replacement?

The author prioritized delivering a seamless show experience for the audience. They believed that fixing the bench, even though it required improvisation, would provide a better outcome than using a replacement.

Q: What is the state of flow, and how did the author experience it during the bench fix?

Flow is a mental state of complete immersion and focus in an activity. The author experienced flow during the bench fix, where they were fully focused on the problem at hand, blocked out distractions, and time seemed to fly by.

Q: How did the bench fix impact the author's self-efficacy?

The successful bench fix significantly boosted the author's self-efficacy, which is the belief and confidence in one's ability to carry out a task. It proved to the author that they were capable and competent in their role.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author, a part of the stage crew, becomes the leader and faces the challenge of fixing a broken bench during a theater production.

• Despite feeling uncertain, the author takes the initiative to fix the bench using their skills and resourcefulness.

• The experience of successfully fixing the bench in a state of flow boosts the author's self-efficacy and confidence in their abilities.