We have all experienced a state of mind where we are fully immersed, fully present in what we are doing. This state is called ‘flow’ or as some call it, in the zone. When we are in a ‘flow’ state the ego falls away, we lose ourselves in the activity, time flies, 3 hours could pass by and it may feel like 20 minutes. We are doing things that we love when in ‘flow’ and we normally reach peak performance.
In F1 racing the driver describes this state as becoming one with the car. There is no panic, no stress, no future, no past, just now and more often than not you’re having fun. In golf when you’re in a ‘flow’ state you play one of your best rounds, there will be no swing thoughts, no worries only the target and near perfect execution. There will be an inner glow that’s almost magical.
In business you reach ‘flow’ state when you’re normally being creative and challenged but not to the degree where it can be overwhelming, it’s all about getting the balance right. A colleague might be trying to get your attention but you’re so much in the zone you are unaware that they are even there. It’s not that you’re trying to be rude you’re just in the zone your engrossed in your activity.
Take for example chess where you have two players one a beginner and one a grand master in this situation it’s highly unlikely a ‘flow’ state will be experienced. Normally the opposite player is as good if not a little better for both parties to experience ‘flow’.
For many years we have all watched the All Blacks running the ball from their own 22 to score a great try at the other end, all players come together as one, where all the passes stick, everyone on the same hymn sheet in reaching that magical state of ‘flow’. I see it in the Irish rugby team at present and many other teams in different sports who are at the top of their trade. There is nothing better to watch an individual or a team in ‘flow.’
What is your flow state?
It could be cooking, reading, painting, walking, sport, work, gardening whatever it is bring flow into your everyday life. I personally experience flow while giving a talk, playing sport or having a great conversation with a client. You not only will be more fulfilled when in ‘flow’ you will be in a far greater place mentally. If you feel your daily life has become a little stagnant return to a long lost hobby and let the flow back into your life.
Unfortunately the man who introduced us to ‘flow’ Michaly Csikszentmihalyi passed away in the last few years. I will leave you with one of his quotes
“A joyful life is an individual creation that cannot be copied from a recipe”
