How well do you know your flow state? Can you feel the shift in your energy, your actions, your mindset, and your performance when you reach it?
The truth is, this is something you should know—on an intimate level.
Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, developed the term “flow state” after researching the optimal performance levels of athletes, musicians, and artists.
He explains that flow is “a state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience is so enjoyable that people will continue to do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it.”
Research has gone on to show that the experience of flow is a precursor to well-being and overall life satisfaction. In fact, happier people experience flow states of mind more often and for more extended periods. To top it off, when you experience a flow state, your brain actually releases neurochemicals like endorphins, norepinephrine, dopamine, and anandamide and serotonin. These increase things like reaction times, pattern recognition, and lateral thinking—creating a perfect recipe for rapid problem solving and high performance.
You see, your flow state is a state of peak performance. It can lead to an increase in productivity and even a greater sense of contentment.
Typically flow is experienced when you are engaged in something you enjoy. It occurs when you are not focused on expected outcomes and rewards — instead, the act of doing the activity is the reward. People commonly experience flow while playing sports, creating art, dancing, and other activities they love. But the truth is, it’s a universal state of mind. Regardless of classes, genders, ages, and cultures, a state of flow can be experienced when you feel and perform at your best.
Now for entrepreneurs, understanding your flow state is an important part of growing and scaling successfully.
If you know what work you can best accomplish when you are in flow, you are more likely to be able to use that to help you authentically grow your business while feeling fulfilled.
You see, your flow state is when:
- You are working in a way that is so authentically you—it doesn’t feel like work.
- Time seems to suspend itself as you dive deeper and deeper into the task at hand.
- You have the energy and drive to keep going—because you are engaged, challenged, and genuinely enjoying it.
- You are aligned with what you are actively doing—and you feel ease.
- You are challenged and are able to rise to the challenge using your
The good news is, you can cultivate a flow state. You see, because a state of flow is intrinsically rewarding, the more you practice it, the more you seek to replicate it, and the more you replicate it, the more productive and fulfilled you become.
But, with the ebb and flow of business and life, there will be times you become disconnected from your flow state, and you struggle to find it.
I know, I’ve been there… in fact, I’ve been there a lot as of late.
With the current state of flux and tension in our world—it’s easier than ever to get distracted, become disconnected, and shift out of alignment.
But the good news is, you can actually cultivate a flow state.
When you become intimately connected to your flow state, it allows you to recreate it. When you can consciously recreate it… you fall back into alignment and reconnect to your authenticity.
So, how do you become intimately connected to your flow?
- Recognize your flow state when it happens and take note of what actions you take while in your flow.
- Create rituals that lead to flow (listen to music, meditate, drink tea).
- Prime your environment to support your flow by limiting distractions, encouraging creativity, positive energy, and focus.
- Set your intention, so you have a specific goal that is meaningful to you to accomplish.
Lately, discovering my state of flow has looked like this: I grab my coffee, put my earbuds in, and turn on my music (the same playlist each time). I choose a comfortable spot on my office floor, and sit for 3-5 minutes, breathing and setting an intention for the day. Then, I start working on something I know I’ll enjoy, and I go from there.
As a former athlete, I think of connecting to my flow state in the same way as preparing for game day… the ritual, the practice, the mindset are all part of what set you up for playing your best.
When you know your flow so well that you know what rituals you need, the things you need to practice, and the mindset shifts you need to make… you know it’s only a matter of time before you reconnect and step back into your flow.
So, go ahead and practice. Become best friends with your state of flow… and see what happens as you begin to understand it better.
