Do you flow?
After reading a recent blog post from one of my partners at SMCpros, I was reminded about the importance of flow. When you have the opportunity, check out wikipedia’s description of the psychological state of flow. Everybody has it. But what causes it? How can we harness it? Is it paradoxical to be able to harness this state and control it?
Essentially, the psychological state of flow is when you are “in the zone”. You are being challenged. Your tasks require all of your mental capacity.
I wish I had a better ability to chose when my state of flow comes. Generally, I wish I had it a lot more than I do.
I have learned that when I am in a flow state, that it is smart to take advantage of it. No matter what time it is or where I am, I use it. The amount of productivity that occurs in that small period of time is usually 10x more valuable and efficient than my normal state.
In many books I read, it sounds like the healthier you are, the more you can reach this zone state. Yes, I probably could eat healthier, I probably could exercise more, I probably could get out more, I probably could relax more… but I feel like I do a decent job at these things…
Have you had these experiences? What have you done to be able to have it more frequently, longer, chose when it comes?
No related posts.
Thomas
I’ve felt it before, usually when go-karting. Professional race car drivers often experience it. I remember being in the kart, and being so into what I was doing, that I wasn’t really consiously realizing what I was doing; it was as if I was just reacting, letting my body do all the work. As if there’s nothing else in the world going on at that point, other than you and the track in front of you. Flow is definately an interesting state of being to experience.
Peter
Good post. Now that I’m self employed full time, I have complete control of “my flow” as you call it. I exercise almost every day around 1 or 2 pm. Usually in an office environment this is when I want to take a nap.
I’d rather use my time working when I know I’ll be the most productive. Good post and an interesting subject to think about.