Have you ever experienced being “in the zone,” a state of mind where everything you do just seems to happen successfully
and effortlessly? If you have, then you know what it means to be in a flow
state. How do you reach this elusive state of being?
The answer lies in emotional intelligence.
Let’s look at how a flow state can benefit you and the steps you can take to welcome it in to your life.
When you’re in this golden zone, you feel completely immersed and engaged. You lose track of time and let go of anything that doesn’t relate to what you’re doing – you feel an immense sense of satisfaction and joy.
When you leave this flow state, you are accomplished and happy. This feeling then bolsters further creativity and productivity. A flow state is beneficial for all activities, but it is particularly good for creative pursuits and hobbies, sports and education—and in the workplace.
Identifying the
Conditions Needed For A Flow State
For a flow state to happen, three main conditions must exist:
Clear and Specific Goals
Have a distinct and defined path to follow. This will allow you to focus and channel your attention on the task at hand. It’s a bit like going for a drive and knowing exactly which highway to take, as opposed to driving around aimlessly, hoping to reach
your destination.
Balance between Challenge and Skill
If a task is too easy, it soon becomes boring, but if it’s too hard, you become frustrated and it becomes
demotivating. You need to take care to find your Goldilocks Zone where a challenge exists but your skill can match and overcome it. This combination of challenge and progress toward your goal is what keeps you absorbed in the activity.
Clear and Immediate Feedback
If you can track your progress as you
go along, then you will not only benefit from the satisfaction that progress
entails but also know you are headed in the right direction. This helps you
stay motivated, make required adjustments and improve along the way.
The key to meeting these conditions is to find something you have enthusiasm for. It’s almost impossible to enter a flow state when a task is boring or uninteresting. Look at the skills you have for your chosen activity. What are your strengths? How can you build on these to make them stronger or better?
Once you have set the scene, there are steps you can take to prepare yourself to welcome in a flow state.
• Remove or take yourself away from all distractions, such as your phone, email and even other people.
• Jot down your goals and the steps you have to take to achieve them.
• Take a moment or two to pause and be mindful of what you are about to do. It can help to meditate a little before you start.
• Focus on your activity and move with purpose. Embrace the challenge and find joy in what you are doing.
• Don’t get frustrated by mistakes or hiccups—this is beneficial feedback. Learn from it and move on.
Once you get into the swing of this, it is possible to achieve a flow state within around 10 to 15 minutes. The more you practice, the easier it will become and the more those feel-good endorphins will flow!
As a final tip, practice meditation and mindfulness on a regular (perhaps daily) basis. This will help you
cultivate a flow state. Mindfulness allows you to become more attuned to the
present moment.
Welcoming and encouraging a flow state is a skill you can apply to almost any task you enjoy and that challenges you. Always attempt to get into a flow state because the rewards are definitely
worth enjoying. Remember to take a moment beforehand, set the scene, prepare your mind and get into your groove. The rest will follow.