How To Achieve Your “Flow State”

Flow State also known as being in “the zone”, is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity where the outside world disappears. In essence, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does and loses all sense of space and time.

When was the last time you were in the “flow state”?

Think back, what was the environment and conditions you were in? Who was the team around you and people supporting you? If you are not currently in the flow state, how can you re-create those conditions again? Being in the zone where you feel the most happiest and most alive also sounds more exciting and fulfilling than living a balanced life. I find the flow state closely linked to the Japanese word Ikigai:

What is your reason for being? Look within.

Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being” and often thought as “the reason to get up in the morning.” Everyone, according to Japanese culture, has an ikigai. Finding requires a deep and often lengthy search of self. Such a search is important to the cultural belief to discover one’s ikigai brings satisfaction and to enjoy the meaning of life— the passion, purpose, a movement of working on something bigger than yourself.

The word ikigai is usually used to indicate the source of value in one’s life or the things to make one’s life worthwhile. Secondly, the word is used to refer to mental and spiritual circumstances under which individuals feel their lives are valuable and contributing to a higher purpose in life.

There is no one other than yourself to tell you how to achieve the state. Only way is to look deep within to find your answer.