Learn how to Maximize Your Cognitive Capacity and get Into the Flow State With These 4 Tips

Anytime you have ever felt in the “zone,” or that you were performing at peak cognitive capacity, it was probably because you had entered what is known as “the flow state.” The flow state is a state of concentration so deep, and so complete that you almost forget, however briefly, that you exist. It is the art of existing in the present, entirely within one’s own mind. In this state your concentration, memory recall, and cognitive capabilities are maximized. While certainly elusive, the flow state is something that can be practised. Below are 4 steps to get into the flow state.

Conscious Breathing

Before you begin to do anything that requires total concentration and mindfulness, it is always a good idea to prep your mind and body. You do this by taking three, deep, slow conscious breaths, focusing on nothing else but the process, sound and feeling of breathing. This centres and concentrates your mind and prepares you for the task at hand.

Be in the Present Moment

Being in the present moment means being oblivious to the past and the future. To convince yourself of this, you need to focus on only your immediately sensory perception.

Concentrate all of your energy on what you see, hear, feel, smell and taste.

Let that sensory experience consume your thoughts and try and hold all of those sensory experiences simultaneously for as long as you can. Full presence in the now is the key to the flow state.

Slowly and Methodically go About Your Task

Begin to do whatever it is you were going to do while channelling that focus and that state of mind. Entering the flow state is almost like being in a meditative state. It allows you to dedicate yourself fully to what you are doing without being encumbered by thoughts about what you were just doing, what you want to do, or what you have to do later.

Remain Alert, but Deeply Focused

Once you have started your task, the most difficult part of maintaining the flow state is keeping yourself in the state of mind that you cultivated in the previous step. It is important that you do not let your emotional state get the better of you. If you feel disruptive thoughts or feelings creeping in, revert back to the previous step as many times as necessary until your entire present experience becomes nothing but your sensory experience.

To the uninitiated, the flow state might seem like some mythical, unobtainable frame of mind that requires years and years of mindfulness meditation before it ever becomes of any use. That is far from the case. It’s all about practice.

You can train your mind to accept a great many things, including your “commands,” allowing you to focus on purely present thoughts and the task at hand.

If you want to get the most out of your professional and academic life and turn out the best work possible, keep the above flow state steps in mind and maximize your cognitive performance. If there is just too much competing coursework for you to truly get into the flowstate, visit our services pages to see how one of our professional writers can assist you.

References:

(2014). “How to Enter the ‘Flow State’ any Time: 4 Simple Steps.” Mrs. Mindfulness. Retrieved from: http://mrsmindfulness.com/how-you-can-enter-mindfulness-in-4-simple-steps/

Dark, E. (2016). “The Importance of Living in the Present.” Young Minds. Retrieved from: http://www.youngminds.org.uk/news/blog/3219_the_importance_of_living_in_the_present

Marelisa. “How to Enter the Flow State.” Dare to Live Fully. Retrieved from: https://daringtolivefully.com/how-to-enter-the-flow-state