Have you ever been so engaged in an activity that everything else just faded into the background? When we become hyper focused on a task, lose all perception of time and perform at a high level that almost becomes effortless, we call it being in the “flow.” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist, was the first to name the concept of flow after interviewing people about this amazing feeling. They most often described it as flowing along with a river.
How To Get Into the Flow State of Mind
We can achieve the flow state of mind while participating in sports, while reading, writing, gardening, and participating in creative hobbies. It can happen while doing just about anything when there is a balance between the activity you are engaged in and the skill level you have to perform it. If the challenge of the activity is too high or too low, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve the state of flow. It is most likely to happen when the challenge of an activity is just slightly harder than the skill level.
Entering a flow state of mind can enhance productivity, creativity and overall satisfaction with your work. The flow experience itself has several common characteristics such as the loss of awareness of time, not thinking about yourself and no interruptions by outside thoughts, as well as being active, working effortlessly and having the feeling that you would like to repeat the experience.
While we can’t force the state of flow, we can increase the probability of its occurrence. Here are ten techniques to help you get into the flow state:
Choose the right task
Pick a task that is challenging yet achievable, one that matches your skills and interests. It should provide a sense of purpose and natural motivation. Also, try to choose something that provides an element of surprise that will allow you to discover new things about yourself.
Set clear goals
Clearly define what you want to achieve with the task at hand. Having specific and measurable goals helps focus your attention and provides a sense of progress.
Eliminate distractions
Minimize potential interruptions by finding a quiet environment, turning off notifications on your devices and informing others that you need uninterrupted time.
Create a conducive environment
Arrange your workspace to support your flow state. Remove clutter, organize your materials and personalize your surroundings to make it comfortable and inspiring.
Establish a routine
Develop a consistent routine or ritual that signals your mind that it's time to enter the flow state. It could be something simple like deep breathing, stretching or listening to a particular song.
Practice mindfulness and concentration
Pay attention to the present moment and the task at hand. Avoid multitasking and focus on one thing at a time. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the task without judgment. Pay attention to your body and your posture. Accept that you may be nervous at first but allow yourself to begin your activity knowing that any jitters will pass.
Find a balance between your skill and challenge levels
The flow state occurs when the challenge level of the task matches your skill level. Adjust the difficulty of the task to maintain this balance. If the task is too easy, it can lead to boredom, while if it's too difficult, it can cause anxiety. Avoid the urge to stop if you make a mistake and place your focus on what you plan to achieve instead.
Engage in deep work
Embrace deep work principles by dedicating uninterrupted, focused time to your task. Set a specific time period (e.g., 90 minutes) and commit to working with intensity during that period.
Embrace intrinsic motivation
Cultivate a genuine interest and passion for the task. Find ways to connect the work to your personal values, strengths, or long-term goals. This intrinsic motivation will fuel your focus and enjoyment.
Practice regularly
The more you practice entering the flow state, the easier it becomes. Over time, you'll learn to recognize the conditions and techniques that help you achieve it more consistently.
Give it a try!
Flow state is one of the happiest and most productive states but remember that entering flow may take time and experimentation. Be patient with yourself, and don't get discouraged if it doesn't happen immediately. Keep practicing and refining your approach until you find what works best for you.
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Photo courtesy Pixabay/Riedelmeier
Barbara Bauer is a Georgia-based blogger obsessed with inspiring others in the pursuit of self-development. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, drinking way too much coffee, and speaking with a British accent whenever possible.
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