The Insider's Secret to Unlocking Flow State
Artist credit: Ezequiel Pini, Jesus Mascaraque, Nil Estay, Thiago Tallmann, Andy Lipe
Constantly juggling a million tasks at once? Find yourself struggling to stay focused and productive amidst the chaos of life, work, and everything in between?
Sometimes it feels like our world is moving 100 miles a minute and finding a sense of calm and clarity can feel like an impossible feat.
Recently, I found myself juggling too many different things - being an entrepreneur, means you are usually always wearing more than 1 hat (let's be honest, more like 10). Despite my dedication to helping others achieve their goals, I couldn't ignore the pressure, priorities, and the feeling of being pulled in many directions. It was a reminder that even as a coach, I'm not immune to the challenges of finding deep focus and productivity. Once I recognized this, I took some time to quiet my mind and really come back to the basics.
Today, I want to share the simple yet powerful tool, that helped me to hone my focus and accomplish and push my goals forward with ease..
Cue: Flow State!
I've talked about it before - but to refresh you..
Flow state is a state of optimal performance - characterized by intense focus, effortless concentration, and a deep sense of satisfaction.
It's that magical zone where everything seems to click into place, and you're able to perform at your absolute best - while unlocking higher levels of productivity, performance, and well-being.
But achieving flow isn't just a matter of luck or chance—it's a skill that can be cultivated and honed over time.
The secret ingredient to accessing flow state: Flow Triggers
What Exactly Are Flow Triggers?
Flow triggers are the precursor to finding flow, they help us hone our concentration and focus - by increasing certain neurochemicals and reducing our cognitive load.
Stimulating neurochemicals: Flow triggers activate certain chemicals in our brain, like dopamine and norepinephrine, which help us feel more focused and engaged. It's like a natural boost that makes us pay better attention to what we're doing.
Reducing cognitive load: Flow triggers make it easier for our brains to focus by reducing the number of things we have to think about at once. This frees up more brainpower to concentrate on what we're doing right now, rather than getting distracted by other thoughts or tasks. It's like decluttering your mind so you can focus better on the task at hand.
By identifying and understanding our individual flow triggers, we can learn how to create the ideal conditions for flow to occur.
The Four Categories of Flow Triggers
Flow triggers can be broadly categorized into four main groups: external, internal, creative, and group flow triggers. Each category encompasses a range of factors and techniques that can help us induce and sustain flow in different contexts.
Flow Triggers in Action: I want to share with you 2 of my favorite flow triggers and the mechanics of how they work
1. Challenge-Skill Balance
Otherwise known as the “golden rule of flow”. One of the most crucial flow triggers is finding the right balance between the challenge of a task and our skill level. When the challenge is too low, we become bored and disengaged. When it's too high, we feel overwhelmed and anxious. But when the challenge matches our skills perfectly, we enter a state of flow where we're fully immersed in the task at hand.
Let's say you're an avid runner looking to find deeper states of flow during your daily jog. To achieve the challenge-skill balance, you could adjust your running route to include varying terrain and elevation levels that align with your current fitness level
If you're an experienced runner, you might choose a hilly route that offers a more intense challenge without being overly taxing
If you're new to running, you might opt for a flatter route with occasional inclines to gradually build your endurance and skill level
By tailoring the challenge of your run to match your abilities, you can increase the likelihood of entering a flow state and enjoying a more fulfilling and rewarding exercise experience
How can you implement this flow trigger?
Start by assessing the difficulty level of your current tasks or projects. If you find yourself feeling bored or disengaged, consider increasing the challenge by setting more ambitious goals or taking on new challenges that push your boundaries. On the other hand, if you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious, look for ways to simplify or break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps
2. Clear Goals
Another essential flow trigger is setting clear, actionable goals. When we have a clear sense of what we're working towards and how we're going to get there, we're more motivated, focused, and productive. Clear goals provide us with a roadmap for our efforts and help us stay on track even when things get tough.
Let’s say you're a freelance writer working on a tight deadline for an upcoming article. To set clear goals and facilitate flow, you could break down the writing process into manageable tasks, such as outlining the article, conducting research, drafting the content, and revising and editing.
Each task should have a specific deadline and measurable outcome, such as completing the outline by the end of the day or finalizing the first draft by the end of the week.
By establishing clear goals and deadlines, you can create a sense of urgency and accountability, motivating you to stay focused and productive throughout the writing process.
How can you implement this flow trigger?
Begin by identifying the specific outcomes you want to achieve within a particular domain or project. Break these goals down into smaller, actionable steps with clear deadlines and milestones. Regularly review and adjust your goals as needed to ensure they remain relevant and achievable. By having a clear roadmap for your efforts, you can stay focused and motivated, even when faced with obstacles or distractions.
Harnessing the power of flow state and understanding the role of flow triggers can transform how we approach our work and daily lives. By implementing practical strategies like balancing challenge and skill and setting clear goals, we can unlock higher levels of productivity, performance, and well-being.
Achieving flow isn’t about forcing yourself to work harder or longer - it's about creating the right conditions for success and flow to naturally unfold.
Would love to hear from you - have you experienced deep states of flow? or tried experimented with flow triggers before? Share your insights below!
And - if you’re ready to make a change and find your own flow.. I’m always here to help! I offer complimentary discovery calls - where we'll uncover any obstacles standing in your way and develop a personalized plan to help you achieve your goal. Click here to schedule a free discovery call