written by: carlyn lagrone
have you ever felt like time was standing still and you knew exactly what to do?
picture this: you’re fully immersed in the experience, taking one action after another, without thinking or distracting yourself.
this is called the flow state.
in many ways, the flow state is very much like a state of meditation. both external and internal noise and distractions fade away, and you’re left with the present moment. just you and the current task at hand.
popularized and written about in detail by renowned psychologist, mihaly csikszentmihalyi. professor csikszentmihalyi examined what the flow state is, why it’s important, and how one is able to achieve it across various careers, activities and experiences.
what is a state of flow?
mihayl identified the experience of flow as moments when you’re giving your fullest attention to an activity or task that you are particularly focused on, very passionate about, and wholly immersed in. from writing a book to playing a sport to performing an intensive surgery, flow state is observed and experienced in a variety of circumstances.
why cultivate a state of flow?
there are a few key reasons to consciously cultivate this state:
- it’s a state of immense concentration. you’ll often get a lot done – and produce higher quality results – while in the flow state.
- it creates a powerful sense of clarity. you know exactly what needs to be done, without needing to think about it.
- being in flow removes normal mental obstacles. stress, worry, lack of concentration, self-doubt, all of that disappears during a flow state.
- the flow state is intrinsically ecstatic. just being in the moment, facing a worthwhile challenge can be highly enjoyable.
when in a flow state, creativity and productivity tend to be heightened, leading to a fulfilling and immersive experience. from athletes to artists to working professionals – they all aim to attain this state to optimize their impact and work as well as to enhance their overall well-being.
how to create a state of flow
a flow state cannot be forced. instead, flow comes naturally when certain conditions are in place. the primary conditions are:
- an attainable yet engaging task. similar to the “not too hot, not too cold” phrase. if the task is too easy, apathy or boredom will prevent the flow state. if the challenge is too difficult, anxiety, worry or stress will prevent the flow state. the task must fall in the sweet spot, where you have the skills met to complete it but it still requires focus and engagement to achieve.
- a clear goal. flow is achieved when working towards something that you are motivated to accomplish.
- a focus on the process, not the goal. this may seem contrary to #2, yet is an essential part of flow. an athlete might have a goal of winning the gold medal. but the flow state is only achieved when the athlete focuses on playing the game, right now, in the moment – rather than thinking about winning the medal. yet without the goal and the desire behind the goal, flow will not be achieved. both the goal and the focus on the process are necessary.
- a lack of interruptions. the flow state is easily broken. for flow to be achieved and sustained, you need to be able to focus on the task at hand without interruption.
when these conditions are present, flow is a natural reverberation.
mindfulness practices can also increase your natural ability to achieve flow.
for instance, meditation helps you deliberately practice experiencing states of concentration, as well as filtering out distractions.
a consistent meditation practice, as well as the deliberate cultivation of these flow factors, will help you achieve flow much more consistently and complete tasks you are working on with a sense of excitement and engagement.
new to the world of mindfulness or wanting to bring these skills to your workplace?
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