"Flow is being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz" Mihály Csíkszentmihályi
What is the "Flow State"
A positive psychological and mental state in which we become fully immersed in an activity with an energised focus, full involvement and most importantly, enjoyment is called the Flow state. Popularised by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi and Jeanne Nakamura, Csíkszentmihályi, in a TED talk in 2004, described flow state as "There's this focus that, once it becomes intense, leads to a sense of ecstasy, a sense of clarity: you know what you want to do from one moment to the other; you get immediate feedback".
Reaching a state of flow enables you to focus on work without getting distracted by the thoughts and feelings that generally cloud your mind, such as stress, worry, and self-doubt, leading to a higher output of higher quality work. In addition, being in a state of flow is a naturally positive experience, and a general sense of well-being and fulfilment follow when you're doing something you're passionate about. Being in the zone, your body and mind will know what they need to do without thinking about it.
One can satisfy the conditions to experience a flow state of mind when your mind becomes immersed and focused on an activity you're passionate about. In a flow state of mind, your thoughts become collected, and the distractions felt under normal circumstances fade away; then, in that non-distracted zone, all that matters is the journey and your dedication to your craft.
The human brain can process 11 million bits of information every second. But our conscious minds can handle only 40 to 50 bits of information a second. When challenging ourselves with a task, our mind reaches total capacity. If the activity happens to be something we enjoy and are good at, we can achieve a flow mental state which can leave us ecstatic, motivated and fulfilled. To quote Csíkszentmihályi, "The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times... the best moments usually occur if a person stretches their body or mind to its limits. In a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.
How to Achieve a Flow State
To achieve a flow state, it helps to do something you enjoy that is neither too easy nor too difficult. Doing something you enjoy can satisfy your mind's craving for a challenging but doable task; trying to apply this to your profession isn't always easy but can be done if we learn to prioritise and enjoy some parts if not all of our job-related tasks.
Before starting any essential tasks, creating a peaceful working environment with minimal distractions is crucial as you begin to coax your mind to get ready to perform. You should focus on the journey and not the destination, and you should enjoy doing what you're doing at that moment instead of the outcome. It would help if you considered the intrinsic factors of the job that motivate you as you take on the task.
To make a flow state more achievable, find your peak creative and productive times where your mind most naturally functions at total capacity and take on significant tasks during such times. I have found it very helpful to reach a flow state by having a good and consistent morning routine and taking suitable supplements.
This routine typically involves the following:
Getting up between the hours of 5 to 6
Doing some light stretching,
Drinking purified water, followed by a strong cup of coffee
Excercise; usually High-intensity interval training (which works great if you're limited in time) or going for a walk (ideally in nature), has proven to be very effective for me to get mood-elevating hormones running. Walking has many stress-relieving benefits, and they promote the release of serotonin and endorphins that stimulate relaxation and improve mood. Exposure to natural light also affects the hormone melatonin.
Supplements; Ashwagandha, which is an Indian herb that, when taken regularly, produces noticeable stress reduction effects and can be very good for focus.
Setting a plan for the day/week
And where possible, take breaks and never work yourself to a point where you could become irritable and lose motivation.