Flow state
My favorite tools to unlock the power of your mind
Have you ever lost track of time while you’re working? It happens when you’re deeply engaged with the work you’re doing. Suddenly, you look up and more time has passed than you anticipated. When you’re in the zone, completely absorbed by a task, hours feel like minutes, action feels effortless, and deep enjoyment and satisfaction arises. This is called flow, a mental state of complete absorption and focus on an activity. Flow state is the gateway to creativity, and today I’m sharing my favorite tools for accessing this state more easily so you can engage deeply and happily with your work.
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First, a little history. The term “flow state” was coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s to describe the mental state he witnessed artists, musicians, and athletes enter during periods of intense focus. He noticed how they became so absorbed in their work that they forgot about everything else. They were so deeply immersed in the moment that they forgot where they were and even who they were, losing awareness of surroundings and experiencing deep levels of intrinsic rewards. That means feeling good just from having done a thing rather than because of what is produced in that time. This, to me, is the most powerful benefit of flow state.
Yes, you can produce a lot of work in flow state, but you also feel amazing on an emotional and spiritual level. Entering flow allows you to take a break from the stresses of everyday life and inhabit your subconscious mind. When I enter into a flow state, I feel like I am the truest version of myself. The world falls away and I am left in conversation with myself, discovering deep connections that have meaning and value. It is the ultimate satisfaction, and it’s something I want everyone to experience because I think the experience brings a deep sense of purpose to life.
This is what flow state looks like for me. I might not look happy in this video, but I SWEAR I’m having a blast LOL. Resting bitch face is a common side effect of entering this state of mind. After nearly thirty years of creative endeavors, I’ve gotten pretty good at accessing flow state and I do it nearly every day, often for multiple hour intervals, but it has taken a lot of practice to learn how to get there. These are my favorite tools for getting into that flow state of mind quickly and staying there:
