Flow is a state of mind where an individual or team is deeply focused on a specific task or activity. It is not a side effect nor a byproduct of doing things well, but instead a mental state we can learn to enter at will.
Goal Selection is the first step in entering the Flow State:
- Define: Choose a clear goal with a specific outcome.
- Want: Approach the goal in alignment with your personal skills and desires.
- Difficult: The goal must be challenging to you individually.
- Possible: You must believe the goal is within your capacity.
- Adjust: Adjust your approach, and/or the goal so all of these conditions are met.
Next we Set the Stage so that ourselves and our environment is optimized for success.
- Self: Are you hungry, thirsty, tired? If your body is not fully prepped, be aware of resulting limitations.
- Remove Distractions: music, objects, people, whatever; if it may distract you, remove it or construct a mental block.
- Stage: Walk your challenge/course, focusing on your goal.
- Breath: Find your breath: take slow, deep breaths, find your rhythm, relax.
- Visualization: When appropriate, visualize 10 perfect executions.
- Que: Use your own personal que triggering your body into flow.
- Pursue: Run the course or challenge; it can be a single attempt or a set, don’t allow failure to disrupt your flow.
- Regroup: Catch your breath, have a drink, consider what went well and what didn’t.
- Repeat: Find your breath, visualize adjustments, que, pursue, and regroup until exhausted or satisfied.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE IN FLOW?
Completely Involved in what we are doing – focused, concentrated.
A sense of Ecstasy – of being outside everyday reality.
Great inner Clarity – knowing what needs to be done and how well we are doing.
Knowing that the activity is doable – that our skills are adequate to the task.
A sense of Serenity – no worries about oneself, and a feeling of growing beyond the boundaries of the ego.
Timelessness – thoroughly focused on the present, hours seem to pass by in minutes.
Intrinsic Motivation – whatever produces flow becomes its own reward.
(Csikszentmihaly, 2004, 14:24)
References:
Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, Published February 2004, Flow, the Secret to Happiness, TED2004 (11/7/2023) <https://www.ted.com/talks/mihaly_csikszentmihalyi_flow_the_secret_to_happiness>
Allaya Cooks-Campbell, Published March 7, 2022, Achieving a Flow State: 7 Ways to Get in the Zone, BetterUp (11/2/2023) <https://www.betterup.com/blog/flow-state>