Have you ever been in a state of mind where you were in deep focus & in total concentration on a specific task that nothing else around you seemed to matter?
If you have ever felt totally immersed or lost in a task that you are enjoying , or in the ‘moment’ – then you might have been experiencing a mental state that psychologists refer to as flow1…
- When last did you experience a state of flow?
- How often are you in a state of being in the zone?
- Do you have time to do these activities that give you a sense of flow?
- How often do you experience flow? Or have you never experienced this? Or did perhaps in distant past ; and now do not experience any state of flow because your mind and life is WAY too busy & cluttered ?
What are the characteristics of Flow, how do I know I am experiencing it?
The 8 Characteristics of Flow according to Csikszentmihalyi is when there is8 :
1. Complete concentration on the task;
2. Clarity of goals and reward in mind and immediate feedback;
3. Transformation of time (speeding up/slowing down);
4. The experience is intrinsically rewarding;
5. Effortlessness and ease;
6. There is a balance between challenge and skills;
7. Actions and awareness are merged, losing self-conscious rumination;
8. There is a feeling of control over the task.
How to achieve a state of flow? Well it helps if:
- It is an activity that you enjoy or feel passionate about
- There is an element of challenge
- You are able to stretch your current skill level
- You have a specific goal and plan of action
Everyday applications and examples of Flow
While flow experiences can happen as part of everyday life, there are also important practical applications in various areas including education, sports, and the workplace9:
Flow in education: Csíkszentmihályi suggested that overlearning a skill or concept can help people experience flow. Another critical concept in his theory is the idea of slightly extending oneself beyond one’s current ability level. This slight stretching of one’s current skills can help the individual experience flow.
Flow in sports: engaging in a challenging athletic activity that is doable but presents a slight stretching of one’s abilities is a good way to achieve flow. Sometimes described by being “in the zone,” reaching this state of flow allows an athlete to experience a loss of self-consciousness and a sense of complete mastery of the performance.
Flow in the workplace: Flow can also occur when workers are engaged in tasks where they are able to focus entirely on the project at hand. For example, a writer might experience this while working on a novel or a graphic designer might achieve flow while working on a website illustration.
Follow Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
- So when do YOU experience flow?
- Do you make time to experience these activities or tasks that give you a sense of being in the zone?
- How can you reach a state of flow?
- What activities or tasks place you in a state of flow?
- Have you allowed yourself to get so worked up in others things that you perhaps do not even know when was the last time you experienced a state of flow?
- Perhaps you do experience a state of flow and didn’t realise you did and now will be more mindful of such activities when you have the experience of flow.
For me I experience flow when practicing yoga, swimming, taking photographs , doing my day to day work for EverJOURNEY , and writing articles. I experience the characteristics of flow during different activities and the degree varies from time to time for me. The act of being mindful just for a short period when I am experiencing flow deepens my experience.
References:
- Live Happy what is Flow https://www.livehappy.com/science/resources/what-flow?nopaging=1
- Flow (psychology) definition Wikepedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_(psychology)#:~:text=In%20positive%20psychology%2C%20a%20flow,the%20process%20of%20the%20activity.
- Flow can help you achieve goals. Understanding the psychology of Flow. Very well Mind link https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-flow-2794768
- Eductech Wiki, flow Theory http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/Flow_theory
- The Pursuit of Happiness Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi :
- 8 ways to create flow according to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi https://positivepsychology.com/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-father-of-flow/
- The age of ideas Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi link https://theageofideas.com/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/
- Flow skills , the 8 elements of flow article link: https://www.flowskills.com/the-8-elements-of-flow.html
- Positive psychology Flow Activities, Article link https://positivepsychology.com/flow-activities/
