I recently began reading this book... it had been slow and steady as it is very cerebral, but I am learning quite a bit about how I want to move into the next chapter of my life.
He uses the terms autotelic and exotelic, and it really got me thinking about the way I choose to spend my time.
What is autotelic?
"Autotelic" is a term often used to describe activities or individuals that are self-motivated and self-fulfilling. The word comes from the Greek words "auto," meaning self, and "telos," meaning goal or purpose.
An autotelic activity is one that is done for its own sake, rather than as a means to an end. People who are autotelic are typically driven by internal goals and satisfaction rather than external rewards or pressures. This concept is commonly discussed in the context of flow theory, developed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, which describes a state of complete immersion and engagement in an activity.
What is exotelic?
"Exotelic" is the opposite of "autotelic." An exotelic activity is one that is done primarily for external reasons or purposes, rather than for the intrinsic enjoyment of the activity itself.
People engage in exotelic activities to achieve a specific outcome, such as earning money, gaining approval, or fulfilling obligations. Unlike autotelic activities, which are self-motivating and done for their own sake, exotelic activities are usually driven by external rewards or pressures.
I think it is high time I started ensuring my activities are more autotelic than exotelic.
Comments