A flow state describes a mental state of complete immersion in an activity or task. Being in the flow allows you to perform tasks fluidly and without resistance. High-performing athletes, musicians, and creative writers effortlessly reach this state of elevated concentration often. To get “in the flow,” you must have a deep passion and love for what you do.
For example, someone who works at a fast food restaurant to cover a few extra bills probably doesn’t feel very enthused about their occupation. So, it becomes challenging to find the flow state when the mind doesn’t enjoy something. However, people who feel excited about an activity will naturally perform at a higher rate.
Those who achieve the flow state feel a blissful union between mind and body. The mental chatter begins to dissipate, and the goal at hand becomes crystal clear. In summary, life feels much easier, as if you’re floating rather than trudging through it.
What are the Characteristics of a Flow State?
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi introduced flow theory in the 1970s after observing people who performed pleasurable activities. He described eight main traits of a flow state:
Confidence and proficiency in the task Deep concentration and involvement with the activity The task has clearly defined goals The activity provides instant feedback The task feels effortless and causes daily stresses to melt away A sense of control over the task The sense of self disappears yet comes back stronger following the flow experience The sense of time becomes altered
7 Tricks to Finding Your Flow State
So, the flow state requires two main ingredients: desire and intense concentration. Luckily, anyone can reach this joyous mental state with practice.
1 – Clearly Define Your Goals.
To get into a flow state, you must have a clear vision of what you wish to accomplish. If you’re scatterbrained and don’t set defined goals, experiencing effortless activity becomes much more complicated. Having a clear outcome in mind gives you direction and purpose in life. So, do some soul-searching and think about what you’d like to achieve.
You don’t have to set a significant goal to complete this step, either. Even a smaller objective can help you become disciplined and motivated to complete a task. For instance, if you want to lose weight, you wouldn’t try to lose fifty pounds in one month. You’d set milestones to achieve along the way to the finish line.
2 – Eliminate All Distractions.
Research shows that being distracted or handling too many tasks at once can lead to burnout. It also interrupts concentration and makes it difficult to reenter the flow state. So, before you start working on a task, remove all external distractions from your environment. These may include smartphones, TVs, and other types of technology.
You should attempt to eliminate internal distractions such as mental chatter as well. Your thoughts create a barrier between you and the world, causing you to lose focus quickly. Meditation, yoga, and other mindfulness practices can help prime you for periods of intense activity.
Ideally, you want to sustain the flow state for several hours, so having a quiet, dedicated workspace is crucial.
3 – Follow Your Passions.
Perhaps most importantly, you should only choose activities that pique your interest. You have more energy and drive to complete the task when you do something you love.
Finding your passion in life unlocks an abundance of …
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