Flow State: Understand what it is and why it is important
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THE flow state It is a fascinating concept that has captured the attention of psychologists, researchers and personal development enthusiasts.
Imagine a moment when you are completely immersed in an activity, losing track of time and feeling totally involved in what you are doing. This is the flow state, a state of total absorption that brings with it a series of benefits.
In this article, we will explore what is flow state, why it is important and how we can cultivate it in our lives.
What is the flow state?
THE flow state is a term coined by the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi to describe a mental state in which a person is completely immersed in an activity, feeling energized and focused. During the flow state, the person experiences a deep sense of involvement and concentration, losing track of themselves and the world around them.
How did the “discovery” of the flow state come about?
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a renowned Hungarian-American psychologist, did not exactly “discover” the flow state, but he was the one who coined the term and conducted extensive research on this mental state. His exploration of the concept began in the 1970s.
Csikszentmihalyi was interested in understanding what made people become deeply involved in their activities and experiences, often losing track of time and feeling completely immersed in the moment. He therefore conducted a series of studies and interviews with people from different cultures and backgrounds to better understand this experience.
Throughout your research, Csikszentmihalyi noticed that people described a similar mental state characterized by a sense of intense focus, deep engagement, loss of self-consciousness, and a sense of intrinsic satisfaction. Thus, he coined the term “flow” to describe this unique experience, which seemed to transcend cultural and contextual barriers.
The research of Csikszentmihalyi about the flow state resulted in his influential book “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience”, where he delved deeper into the concepts and implications of this mental state. He also founded the Positive Psychology Research Center in the Claremont Graduate University, where he continued to explore issues related to well-being, creativity and positive mental states.
Features and components
To better understand the flow state, it is important to highlight their distinct characteristics. Thus, they include a clear sense of goals and feedback immediate, a balance between challenge and skill, intense concentration, loss of self-consciousness and a sense of control over the activity. Then, when these elements merge, the person enters a kind of trance. Immersed in this experience, time seems to fly by and performance reaches extraordinary levels.
In summary, its main features are:
Intense and Total Focus on Activity
THE flow state It is marked by an extreme level of concentration, in which the person ignores everything around them and is completely absorbed in the task.
Loss of Perception of Time
In flow, it is common to lose track of time. In this way, hours can seem like minutes, because the person is so involved that time passes unnoticed.
Balance Between Challenge and Skill
THE flow state Flow occurs when there is an ideal balance between the level of challenge of the activity and the person's abilities. Therefore, if the challenge is too high, the person may become anxious; if it is too low, they may feel bored. Flow is the point at which these elements are balanced.
Clarity of Objectives and Immediate Feedback
The person has a clear understanding of the objectives of the activity and receives immediate feedback, either through the results they observe or through the progression of the task itself.
Sense of Control
During the flow state, there is a sense of control over actions and the environment. As a result, the person feels that they have control over what they are doing, without anxiety.
Detachment from the Ego
In flow, the person leaves aside concerns about the opinions of others, as well as judgments or insecurities. Total focus on the activity results in a disconnection from self-awareness.
Intrinsic Satisfaction
Being in flow brings a feeling of satisfaction and well-being. Therefore, the activity itself is rewarding, regardless of any external gain.
The importance of the flow state
THE flow state is not only an enjoyable experience, but it also plays a crucial role in our well-being and growth. Therefore, when we are in the flow state, we are more productive, creative and efficient.
Furthermore, this mental condition is linked to an increase in personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment. Likewise, it is associated with a reduction in stress and anxiety, promoting a positive state of mind.
How to cultivate it in your life
Cultivating this type of experience requires awareness and deliberate practice. One way to achieve this is to choose activities that match your skill level and challenge. This way, you will be creating the balance necessary to achieve the desired state. Complete immersion in a task, eliminating distractions, is also key. Additionally, developing concentration skills and regular practice can make it easier to enter this highly productive state.
In short…
THE flow state Flow is a powerful dimension of the human experience, allowing us to achieve exceptional levels of performance and satisfaction. Understanding what flow is and adopting practices to cultivate it gives us the opportunity to improve our quality of life, achieve our goals more efficiently, and find a deep sense of fulfillment in our daily activities. Therefore, we invite you to explore flow and integrate it into your journey of self-development and success.
Recommended reading:
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (Harper Perennial Modern Classics) (English Edition) – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Image: Freepik
Article originally published on 08/07/2023 and updated on the date above.
Marcel Castilho is an expert in neuromarketing, neuroscience, mindfulness and positive psychology. In addition to being an advertiser, he also has a Master's degree in NLP – Neurolinguistic Programming. As the owner and founder of the communications agency VeroCom and also of the digital agency Vero Contents, he has been studying human behavior for over 30 years.
