What "go with the flow" really means
The POWER of "Flow State"
What if you could tap into flow any time you want?
Have you ever been so deeply engrossed in a project that you love that time just ceases to exist? You may forget to eat, nay even feel the pangs of hunger? The activity you are engaging in is just challenging enough that it requires you to bring all of your awareness and curiosity, yet it feels effortless. You’re totally in the moment. Watching it develop before your eyes with grace and ease as if you are an observer. This is often referred to as being in the “zone”, but this is what we now call FLOW STATE.
“Flow state” describes a mental state in which a person is completely focused on a single task. This term which comes from the field of ‘positive psychology’ was coined by the late psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. His research led him to many discoveries, most of which surround the idea that people are most productive, most satisfied and happiest, when in a state of flow.
Tasks that foster a state of flow typically have common traits:
They are challenging yet achievable
Are rewarding with a sense of pleasure or purpose
Require a significant investment of time or energy
NOTE: this is different than “hyper-focus” which can sometimes be counterproductive and is more of a fixation on a specific task or job (goal oriented) with an “outcome”.
This magical state is when we're at our most productive, most joyful, and most in tune with our creative essence. But how do you know when you're in the zone? Here are four telltale signs that you're experiencing a state of creative flow:
Intense Focus: When in flow, artists become deeply engrossed in their work, making it challenging to divert their attention. They are fully immersed, often losing track of time and external distractions. PS, interruptions can be particularly frustrating during this state.
Ego Dissolution: Creative flow often involves a reduction in self-awareness. Artists in this state are less likely to be preoccupied with self-critique, their performance, or the opinions of others. They are purely engaged in the act of creation.
Joyful Engagement: The process itself becomes a source of pleasure. This intrinsic enjoyment drives artists to dive deeper into their craft, fostering a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
One major additional benefit is the state of Perseverance1. Evidence suggests that the state of flow can help creatives push through challenging aspects of their work. The immersive experience can mitigate feelings of frustration, enabling them to persist and overcome obstacles and resistance. GOING WITH THE FLOW means even when you encounter friction, you are able to navigate around it with grace, yielding a deep feeling of satisfaction.
NEXT WEEK in How to TURN ON THE FAUCET:
I will share 4 Tips to Find Your FLOW + a fun exercise for PAID subscribers!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10801900/
Flow is so powerful. I have to be careful to remind myself to eat some days because it’s true, you get wrapped up in the feeling of it all and before you know it, the day is gone and you haven’t eaten. I love to ride those waves but I also am personally working to balance that by grounding activities so I don’t get too floaty. Very fun to be in that state though!