The Flow State (or Flow State) occurs when we are so immersed in an activity that time seems to fly by and we enjoy the pleasure of every second that passes. If you have ever experienced the Flow State, you will have noticed that you are so focused or concentrated on what you are doing that you forget what is going on around you and do not want that moment to end.

The term Flow ( flow is introduced by Mihály Csikszentmiháyi and relates to creativity, talent and happiness and is one of the basic pillars of positive psychology. For Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (2009),

“The flow or Flow State is a subjective state that people experience when they are completely involved in something to the extent of forgetting about time, fatigue and everything else except the activity itself.

How do we experience the Flow State?

The State of Flow is felt in a pleasant and liberating way, as we are immersed in an activity that stimulates our passions , curiosities, interests and our senses. We lose track of time and a very high state of creativity and productivity is produced. If you have ever experienced the Flow State, you will have noticed that:

  • Attention is focused on the task and you experience a high degree of concentration
  • The activity is intrinsically rewarding
  • There is a pleasant feeling related to what you are doing
  • You get lost in time
  • The task is perceived as achievable and you think you are competent to carry it out
  • Notes that you have control over the effort you make.
  • Fatigue disappears
  • The state of consciousness is almost automatic, requiring no effort

Tips for getting you to the Flow State

The Flow State is related to well-being and happiness, since it is the pleasurable activities that make us feel special and happy with our life.

Following the contributions of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi , here are some tips to help you flow and reach the optimal state in which your task will become very rewarding.

1. do something you find interesting

The Flow State appears naturally when there is intrinsic motivation or you are curious about the activity you are doing. To increase productivity and creativity in what you are doing, you must enjoy what you are doing.

2. Set yourself clear and achievable goals

The objectives you set for yourself in the activity must be specific and achievable. If you manage to get the objectives in that activity in line with your skill level , you may be able to flow through the completion. Conversely, if the goals you set for yourself involve a degree of difficulty that requires you to overexert yourself, then it can be stressful.

You have to understand that if the task you are going to do is not difficult at all, you might get bored. The key is that there is an adequate level between motivation for the task and the ability to perform it.

3.Find a quiet moment and avoid distractions

For many people, a quiet place is better to induce a state of flow. This way, it is easier to be free of distractions and enjoy the moment to the fullest. Continuous interruptions are not conducive to a state of flow. If you want to be more productive, you can identify the time of day when you perform best . Some people work better in the morning, others in the afternoon and still others at night.

4.Keep attention as long as you can

Once you have found that quiet moment without distractions, try to keep your attention on the task . Sometimes, especially if you are doing an activity for the first time, it is normal that you don’t stay focused for long. As you master the activity, you will have more time to enjoy it. On the other hand, you should pay attention to physiological needs (such as eating, going to the bathroom, drinking, etc.) because they interfere with your level of attention. Therefore, it is important to meet these needs to promote the Flow State.

5.Your skill level should match the difficulty of the task

If our skill level is in tune with the activity we do, we will find it more enjoyable. In other words, if we are well prepared to do something, there are more possibilities to experience the Flow State . But adding a little difficulty to the task can keep our motivation high. The problem arises when the task becomes too big for us, so it stops being enjoyable.

6.Focus on the process, not the result

The Flow State is related to the completion of the task, not to the result . An attractive result can be motivating too, but what is really important is to enjoy what you are doing. The Flow State refers to having fun in the present, that is, to missing out on that moment of happiness.

Bibliographic references:

  • Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2009). The flow. Positive emotions (181-193). Madrid: Ediciones Pirámide.