How to get into the Flow State?
Trying to make the optimal state of awareness more accessible
People who are invested in their overall well-being have generally heard of the “flow” state. It is described as one of the most fulfilling states of mind, if not the most fulfilling, that one can experience. Today I want to explore the topic of flow state, how it works, and how to get into this state.
Quick Introduction
Flow theory was popularized by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s, although it has been around in the common knowledge of practitioners since time immemorial.
Flow is a state of mind in which a person is fully engaged in some activity, such that time flies without one being conscious of it. Athletes, rock climbers, artists, and even computer professionals, have all been said to have experienced flow in some form or the other at some point in their lives.
It is widely accepted that flow is an optimal state of mind and one that we should try to pursue as much as possible.
How it works, and how to get into this state
Essentially this is how the flow state works:
- You begin with a small task at hand, ideally one that you are confident beforehand that you can handle it without much ambiguity.
- You complete the task.
- Your brain, when it sees that you have completed the task, produces a dopamine hit, which gives you a good feeling, to motivate you to keep going.
- You now have a better understanding of the past task, so now you build upon it and take on a slightly more difficult task, but not too difficult! Just enough that you feel confident to do it. And it has to be small.
- Go to Step 2. Repeat as long as possible.
The cascade of dopamine hits that you will experience will essentially produce the feeling of “flow” in you.
Caveats
There are some points to look out for in trying to get into the flow state.
- Don’t take on big tasks (this is important).
- Ensure you can complete the small task quickly (in say, less than 10 seconds).
- Once you have completed a task, ensure you already have your next task lined up. You shouldn’t be looking for what next to do! (that’s a task in itself, and quite ambiguous, and which will kill flow).
- If you are unable to complete a task in 10 seconds (and this will happen more frequently than you think), quickly break down your task, and make the first part of that breakdown your next task. Repeat as necessary.
- Avoid distractions and interruptions like the plague!
Conclusion
That’s my quick how-to to get into the flow state.
Hope this helps you experience the flow state and become more productive. Please let me know your experience on how it worked for you.
Thank you, and good luck!
