What is the Flow State

Are you in the flow state?
Enjoyment appears at the boundary between boredom and anxiety, when the challenges are just balanced with the person’s capacity to act. Mihly Cskszentmihlyi

To live a life that provides a sense of purpose and achievement it is essential to know how to create it. You can create the life you desire by harnessing the power of your mind and taking action.

Research by positive psychologist, Mihly Cskszentmihlyi, has shown that achieving and using a state known as the ‘flow’ or ‘zone’ increases achievement, creativity and happiness.

The flow state is similar to hyper focus but it has none of the negative impact or emotions. While in the flow state you are totally absorbed by a task that is meaningful and challenging.

You have an end goal and know what actions you need to take to achieve it. You are so focused and immersed that there is no room for self-analysis or doubts. Time seems to fly past without you noticing as you are totally absorbed by what you are doing.

Being in the flow means that you are taking action constantly instead of stopping and thinking. By taking action and not stopping to think you prevent any negative emotions such as worry or self-doubt from blocking your progress.

When you are in the ‘zone’ you are totally immersed in the activity in hand, losing all sense of time and self-consciousness.

Engagement and enjoyment are crucial. You’ve heard the saying, ‘Time flies when you’re having fun!’ This is what it is like when you’re in the zone. You are focused and your productivity levels increase.

Your total immersion in what you are doing means that you are not clock watching. You’re so engrossed in taking action that you don’t have time for anything else.

You will feel energized, challenged, totally aligned with the task and positive. The flow state is a positive state of mind and being. The activity is one that is well matched to your skills but contains a level of challenge that will help you grow.

This matching of challenge and skills will ensure that you feel positive about the task and while completing it you are not suffering from any doubts or fears.

Without goals or dreams life will seem boring and without purpose. Being in a state of flow is engaging and allows you to achieve peak performance. You are so immersed in what you are doing that you don’t register anything else.

Creativity and problem solving are enhanced while in the zone. Identifying your goals will help you create a plan to achieve the life you desire. Taking action using the flow state can help you to make them a reality.

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