The flow state. Maybe you’ve experienced it. Being so immersed in an activity or creation process that you lose track of time. As you and the activity become one, the action becomes effortless and gains momentum.
Some find it naturally during running, surfing, or deep conversation.
Flow state can be reached with the right practice, regardless of whether you are involved in physical activity, creative processes, learning or even simple daily tasks.
What is the flow state?
Hungarian-American Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a professor of positive psychology, coined the phrase “flow” in 1975.
“…a flow state, also known colloquially as being in the zone, is the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.” (Wikipedia)
Most of us don’t know how to recognize, produce, or reach a state of flow on our own, especially in a world full of distractions.
Flow state might have the following characteristics (as described by Csikszentmihalyi & Nakamura):
- Concentration on the task at hand is very high
- A fusion of action and awareness. Being and doing become one
- Having a strong sense of control over the situation
- An experience where the action itself is highly rewarded in isolation from the outcome
- Distortion of time perception
The benefits of flow state
In the studies conducted by Csikszentmihalyi, a wide range of professional activities – from sports to medicine – were studied. The common thread is that these are human beings who have chosen challenging and rewarding careers.
Why would you want to practice flow?
A higher level of pleasure – people in a flow state are more likely to find what they are doing rewarding and meaningful because they are experiencing a higher sense of meaning.
Enhanced performance – Researchers have shown that a state of flow can improve and enhance performance in a variety of ways.
Fewer barriers – in a normal state of being, thoughts and feelings such as stress, self-doubt, worry, boredom or frustration can impede our work. In flow mode, these thoughts and feelings move to the background and become less prevalent.
Higher levels of concentration – flow state allows us to do significant work without distractions, thereby improving our outputs
So how do you get into the flow?
The challenge must be balanced with your skills:
You should choose an activity that is neither too easy nor too challenging. When we are required to do tasks at a difficulty level that suits us, we improve over time and are able to handle more complicated ones.
Clearly define your goals
In all honesty, I have mixed feelings about this section. When we set ourselves clear goals for a work session, we get a small dopamine reward for achieving each one. As a result, we remain active and alert throughout the day. Alternatively, flow state can be used for creative processes without a clear purpose, so in such cases you can skip this section.
You should love what you do and do what you love.
Csiksantemihayi speaks of “being fully engaged in an activity simply for the sake of the activity” and it sounds almost trivial, but it’s worth considering. When we choose our own tasks, we have more energy and willpower to accomplish them. Having recognized that it is something we value and enjoy, our brain rewards us accordingly.
The work or creative process requires quite a few things that don’t bring us much joy. However, finding those things that we enjoy and focusing on them makes a lot of sense.
Make yourself a “ritual”
You can tell your brain to get ready for an activity by creating a routine that precedes the activity. It could be meditating, taking a walk, making a cup of coffee, etc.
Choose the right environment
The environment in which we work is crucial to a state of flow. Many of us are fortunate enough to work from a private and quiet office, but others have challenging workspaces. If this is the case, you should ask your officemates or housemates not to disturb you, wear sound-cancelling headphones and find a corner with minimal visual stimulation.
Practice, practice, practice
Flow state can be achieved almost anytime – from writing to programming to talking. If we are just starting out in a new field, it may be difficult to fully incorporate ourselves into it, since we are constantly learning how to do the work. That’s why it’s crucial to understand that practice and repetition greatly improve our ability to enter a state of flow.
To improve and master something, learn from others more experienced than you. Experiment in your own way. Learn from mistakes and successes, and continue this way until you achieve the desired improvement and mastery.
Entered the flow? Try to remember what got you there
While completely absorbed in the object of our actions, it is sometimes hard to remember the small details and the exact circumstances that helped us enter it. This requires finding the balance between total devotion to the experience and simple analysis.
While it is crucial to dedicate yourself to the experience of flow itself, it is recommended to note to yourself what factors helped you enter flow. You also need to note what prevented you from continuing to work without distractions.
In preparation for the next session, you might review your impressions from the previous one. This may include triggers or techniques that worked for you, as well as connecting to your subjective description of the experience.
The concept of flow combines beautifully with Deep Work – find out more.
To conclude
The state of flow is not as mysterious as it may seem. By establishing the ideal conditions for ourselves and practicing them repeatedly, we are able to enter a more productive and creative mental space.
With flow, we can experience greater satisfaction from the things we like, as well as learn how to enjoy the tasks we dislike.
Given today’s complex digital reality, the abundance of distractions, and our tendency to jump from superficial tasks to more complex ones, this skill is indispensable for success, generating value, and achieving satisfaction and happiness in the workplace.
