Imagine you’re driving in your car, zooming down the road listening to your favorite music. The windows are down, the breeze feels wonderful against your skin and…was that another green light you just drove under? Things just seem to be working out for you. You’re not doing anything crazy or different than usual yet life seems to be falling at your feet, serving up a nice, fat platter of roses for your personal pleasure and enjoyment. 

We’ve all experienced these states of grace, or moments in time where, for whatever reason, life just seems to be working for us. Effortlessly. Beautifully. Easily. Sometimes these moments of magic, otherwise known as “flow states,” are fleeting, lasting only a few minutes or hours. But with some practice you can learn to create an environment that induces that wonderful flow state at your whimsy. 

What?! How?! You’ve got questions. Read on, my friend. I’ve got answers…

WHAT IS A FLOW STATE?

The flow state of mind, often referred to as being “in the zone,” is a psychological concept introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It describes a state of optimal human performance and engagement in an activity where individuals experience a heightened sense of focus, enjoyment, and productivity.

When someone is in a flow state, they become fully immersed in the present moment, feeling a complete absorption in what they are doing. Time may seem to pass quickly, and they may lose track of their surroundings or even a sense of self-consciousness. It is characterized by a sense of effortless action and a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

There are several benefits to operating in a state of flow, with enhanced productivity and a greater sense of creativity, being the top hitters. The challenge with flow states, however, is learning how to achieve one. 

So, how can YOU be off to the races, gloriously basking in a flow state of your very own? Strap in and read on, because that’s exactly what this article was written to help you do.

FLOW STATES ARE NOT THE EXCEPTION, THEY ARE THE GOAL

What is the big deal about a flow state? Why do they matter? And why would you care to spend any amount of time or effort trying to achieve one yourself? There are many reasons. Let’s learn.

When you are in flow, you can achieve a higher level of productivity and efficiency in completing tasks. Your focus, concentration, and skill utilization are heightened, allowing you to perform at your best because when your mind is in a relaxed and focused state, you can tap into your creative potential, think outside the box, and come up with innovative solutions (win #1).

Being in the flow facilitates accelerated learning and skill development. This means, by fully engaging in a challenging or complex activity, you become more receptive to acquiring new knowledge and honing your skills. Flow promotes a state of “deep practice” where you can make rapid progress and improvement which leads to positive emotions such as joy, happiness, and fulfillment (win #2). Engaging in activities that bring you into flow can lead to an overall sense of well-being and satisfaction. It can also help counteract stress, anxiety, and negative emotions.

Flow states are intrinsically rewarding, meaning that the activity itself becomes rewarding and enjoyable. This intrinsic motivation can fuel your passion and drive to engage in the activity for its own sake, rather than relying solely on external rewards or incentives. In other words, the more often you create a practice of being in the flow, the more likely you are to find joy within yourself and your chosen experiences, rather than looking for those feelings externally (win #3).

Flow states are known to promote a sense of self-fulfillment, purpose, and engagement with life. They can also foster a sense of mastery and competence, which positively impacts self-esteem and self-confidence (win #4). Regular experiences of flow can contribute to a higher quality of life and overall well-being. 

By understanding and cultivating flow experiences in your life, you can tap into these benefits and create a more fulfilling and rewarding existence.

Achieving a flow state of mind is a goal many people strive for, as it can enhance productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. While flow states can occur spontaneously, there are several strategies you can employ to increase the likelihood of entering a flow state. Here are some techniques to help you get into a flow state of mind:

HOW TO CULTIVATE A FLOW STATE

1. Choose challenging activities
It’s not easy to take the road less traveled. There’s a lot more work involved. There are many unknowns to overcome. Walking through the darkness is not often the path we’d select for ourselves, yet when we are able to let go of our fear and risk failure is when we give ourselves an opportunity to sink into our rhythm and find our flow.

Flow is more likely to occur when we engage in activities that offer an optimal balance between challenge and our existing skills. Try selecting tasks that are challenging enough to hold your interest and stretch your abilities, but not so overwhelming that they cause frustration or anxiety.

This could look like taking a new route to a familiar destination or, it could look like finally taking action on those thoughts that keep rumbling around your mind. Often, we know exactly how to push ourselves. The only question is: will you have the courage and willpower to do so instead of slinking back into a well worn routine?

2. Set clear goals 

The great explorers of our time set out into the wild unknown without knowing what they’d find. The key was knowing that they’d find something is what kept them going and every time they made a new discovery, they knew they were on the right track. The same philosophy goes for you, if you’d like to find yourself in the flow state more often. 

In your life’s adventure, you’re never guaranteed to end up at the destination you’re aiming for. It’s easier to know what to look for along the journey, aka have clues, so you know you’re headed in the right direction. This can be done through goal setting.

Clearly define your goals and objectives for what you’d like to achieve or experience. This could look like clearly defining specific emotions you want to experience or detailed tasks to accomplish by a certain date. Having a clear direction and knowing what you want to accomplish helps to focus your attention and provide a sense of purpose. Brownie points if your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals).

3. Eliminate distractions 

I don’t know about you, but I find the concept of eliminating distractions to be particularly challenging, however, it’s a key ingredient to getting yourself into that coveted flow state. Let’s discuss.

Why is it so important to minimize external distractions? Welllll, those not-so-important brain-gets can disrupt your focus and pull you out of flow (the complete opposite of the goal to be in the flow, obvi). One suggestion for cutting out the distractions is to find a quiet and uninterrupted environment whenever possible, and turn off or silence notifications on your devices. 

Creating a dedicated space and time for productivity has also been proven to help your mind/body become accustomed to accomplishing specific tasks at specific times or places. Think of it kind of like Pavlov’s Dog effect, but with your productivity. The more you show up day after day to complete a task, the more prepared your mind/body will be to complete it.

4. Practice mindfulness and presence 

Take a deep breath and allow yourself to become fully present before engaging in any activity. It’s been said many times, but learning how to become fully engaged in the present moment can help you to pay attention to the task at hand, eliminate distraction, and ultimately become more productive. A total win-win. 

By allowing yourself to let go of worries about the past or future and immersing yourself completely in the present experience, you’re practicing mindfulness. Try starting with simple techniques such as deep breathing or meditation to help center your focus. Practicing mindfulness is a journey, not a sprint. Be kind with yourself as you begin to implement new strategies.

5. Find intrinsic motivation

An important question I recently asked myself was, What is my why? In other words, what is my top priority? What do I get out of bed every day for? By asking myself this simple question, I realized that I value my role as a mother above all other roles. Understanding this has helped me better prioritize my life. Now that I understand my intrinsic motivation behind my actions, it has become exponentially easier for me to make decisions and prioritize my time and energy engaged in activities that I genuinely enjoy and find rewarding.

Flow states are more likely to occur when you have a genuine interest in the activity itself rather than being solely motivated by external rewards. Answer the question, What is my why? Connect with your passion and tap into activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. 

6. Develop skills and expertise

Let me ask you: What activities take up the bulk of your day? 

Now that you’ve got your list, ask yourself: Do those activities generally bring me joy? If not, can edits be made to improve your experience while engaged in the activity that stresses you out? Do you need to remove that activity from your life, even if it takes a big leap of faith and a lot of courage?

Reaching a flow state requires you to build your skills and expertise in the areas you are passionate about. The more skilled you become in a particular domain, the easier it becomes to enter a flow state. Seek opportunities that encourage growth, learning, and mastery in your chosen field.

7. Create a conducive environment

Now let’s talk about your work space. Whether it’s your home, office, or coffee shop it’s important to immerse yourself in an environment that supports flow. Do you have the necessary resources, tools, and materials readily available? If not, what improvements could be made, even if just on a very small scale? Arrange your workspace to be organized and clutter-free, as a chaotic environment can hinder focus and flow.

8. Get into a flow routine

Whether we realize it or not, many of us have set routines. Often, there is a particular rhythm to our mornings and evenings, even if that just means brushing teeth and getting into or out of bed. 

When you consistently engage in the same type of activity at a regular time and place, you create a sense of familiarity and a cue for your mind to enter a flow state more easily. What is your productivity routine? How do you begin your work day? Are there any habits you could add or eliminate to improve your flow?

9. Practice deep work

Focus is the name of the game with this practice, so the more you can clear out the clutter and find that laser-like focus on your task at hand, becoming fully absorbed in the activity, the more likely you will be to achieve the coveted flow.

Adopt the practice of deep work, which involves dedicating uninterrupted blocks of time solely to your chosen task. During these focused sessions, eliminate distractions and immerse yourself fully in the activity without multitasking or shifting attention.

10. Persist and embrace challenges 

Chances are, you won’t feel in the flow when you’re doing mundane tasks that don’t challenge you, or on the contrary, challenge you too much. Flow is most likely to occur when the level of challenge in an activity matches your skill level. If the task is too easy, it can lead to boredom, and if it’s too difficult, it can result in anxiety. Flow is found in the sweet spot between these extremes.

Flow states may not occur immediately or consistently. It’s important to persist and embrace the challenges that arise. Sometimes it takes time and effort to reach a flow state, especially when tackling complex tasks. Embrace the process, stay resilient, and learn from both successes and setbacks.

A few common activities that people are most likely to find themselves in a state of flow include: sports, creative endeavors like painting or playing an instrument, work-related tasks, or even during everyday activities like cooking or gardening.  

So, you know what it’s like to be groovin’ in the flow…but how are you to know if you are out of sync with the flow? The following tell-tale signs will be your guide.

THE ANTI-FLOW STATE

Recognizing when you are not in a flow state can be helpful in understanding your current mental state and potentially making adjustments to regain focus and engagement. Here are some signs that may indicate you are not in a flow state:

Lack of concentration: If you find yourself easily distracted or unable to maintain sustained focus on the task at hand, it suggests that you are not fully engaged in a flow state. Your mind may wander, and you may have difficulty staying present in the activity.

Feeling bored or uninterested: Flow states are characterized by a sense of enjoyment and intrinsic motivation. If you feel bored, uninterested, or apathetic about what you’re doing, it’s a sign that you are not in a flow state. The activity may feel monotonous or lacking in challenge.

Overwhelm or anxiety: If the task feels too difficult or overwhelming, and it leads to increased stress, anxiety, or frustration, it indicates that you may not be in a flow state. Flow occurs when there is a balance between the challenge level and your skills, so excessive difficulty can hinder flow.

Self-consciousness or self-doubt: When you are in a flow state, you are less concerned about how you appear to others or worried about making mistakes. However, if you find yourself excessively self-conscious, doubting your abilities, or overly concerned about judgment or evaluation, it suggests a lack of flow.

Lack of enjoyment or fulfillment: Flow states are typically associated with a sense of enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment. If you are not experiencing a positive emotional state or a sense of reward from the activity, it may indicate that you are not in a flow state.

Time dragging or rushing: In a flow state, time can seem to either fly by or slow down. If you have a constant awareness of time passing slowly and feel like tasks are taking forever, or if you are constantly rushing and feeling time pressure, it suggests a lack of flow.

By paying attention to these signs, you can assess whether you are in a flow state or not. If you recognize that you are not in a flow state, you can explore ways to make adjustments to the task, environment, or your mindset to increase engagement and bring yourself closer to a flow. 

FINAL THOUGHT

To bring yourself into the flow, cultivate conditions that promote flow, such as setting clear goals, creating challenges, and minimizing distractions, can enhance productivity, satisfaction, and overall well-being. Experiment with these techniques and discover what works best for you in cultivating your own flow experiences.

Express Yourself:

Flow states look different for everyone. What does being in the flow feel like for you? What activities are you engaged in? Are there any changes you’d like to implement to help you achieve the flow state?

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Meet Your Newest Wing-Woman

Cameron Giles is an intuitive energy healer who guides wellness entrepreneurs through major energetic shifts by sifting through all the grit and beauty of the subtle body. She strives to see the love encapsulating all situations and is here to help you get results. To learn more or book a session visit loveglow.co/programs.

Cameron Giles

Cameron Giles is an intuitive energy healer who guides wellness entrepreneurs through major energetic shifts by sifting through all the grit and beauty of the subtle body. She strives to see the love encapsulating all situations and is here to help you get results. To learn more or book a session visit loveglow.co/programs.