The flow state is all about being in the zone. It’s a mystical state while engaged in a demanding activity and carrying it out in excellence, with accuracy, and also effortlessly. There are numerous benefits to being in the flow state, such as increase productivity, learning ability, and creativity.
Steven Kotler in his book The Rise of Superman explains how everyone can achieve these incredible states of flow.
He outlines four stages to achieving flow
- Struggle
- Release
- Flow
- Recover
In the first stage, Struggle, we need to amp up our focus and alertness on the task at hand. It is better if the task seems extremely difficult or unsustainable. We need to tackle challenges that are just outside our current ability, and importantly EMBRACE THE FRUSTRATION THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT.
After the struggle becomes unsustainable you enter stage 2, Release. You release every thought and emotion associated with the task. This letting go primes the brain to achieve flow.
Then we enter Flow, the third stage. During flow the portion of the brain associated with self-monitoring and self-editing goes dim. The inner critic disappears. This is when WE GET OUT OF OUR OWN WAY. This stage should includes 3 characteristics to make entering flow more accessible. Firstly the task must have an element of high stakes, secondly there should be a lot of sensory input, and lastly you need instant feedback. You must be able to have enough input to gain feedback to course correct in real time.
After flow you need recovery, the fourth stage. The flow state uses a lot of our brains dopamine and serotonin reserves, and it must be replenished for us to achieve flow again. Recovery includes properly sleep, and downtime.
For a more thorough explaination of this state and how to achieve it check out Steven Kotler’s book The Rise of Superman.