So what is the flow?
The so-called flow state was coined as a term by one of the fathers of the modern positive psychology Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who is a US-Hungarian psychologist So the flow is a feeling in which everything else recedes into the background You are completely absorbed in an activity,
You lose track of time and ignore external distractions So you could say that the flow state brings you into a feeling of effortlessness attention Allowing you to fully concentrate on your current tasks Most who become aware of this state experience it as very positive and rewarding It can be said that it is very important to make the distinction between demands and challenges Requirements can show up in everyday life,
For example what is the connection from where I live,
What expertise is required at work Do I have the possibility to relax if I want to?
Skills are your knowledge,
Expertise and practical experience in certain subjects For example if you have a car and a drivers license you have more skills in a field than someone who doesn't have a license and a car The same can be true for other areas of life Knowledge that is important for your work but also in the interpersonal sphere For example do you have the skills to understand the needs of your partner?
So skills are relevant in all areas of life Now the first option is that the requirement is greater than your skill For example you have an engine failure on your car but you don't know anything about cars In this case you'll tend to suffer frustration and stress The second option is that your ability is greater than your challenge For example imagine for a second you are an experienced diver and you have been used to jumping off the 10 meter boards for years Your skill is good,
You even know the right technique for the jump and various turns In this case you'll be rather bored if you can only jump from the 1 meter board But what is the third option?
Challenges and skills go together There is a harmonic interplay of fun and excitement This state is the flow,
Like a surfer riding the wave He has to adapt to the challenges to the particular wave,
Wind and current But with wide skills and practice experience he stays right on the crest of the wave and rides it You can also find this balance in different topics Of course you can also keep in mind that your skills are naturally expandable So if you expand your skills you will have more confidence in yourself For example if you are used to experiencing the flow state when speaking in front of an audience with maybe 12 people This fits as a challenge for you so far But this ability can be expanded With new goals and plans you can also speak in front of 20 people Being in the flow state and the balance At some point you can even trust yourself to speak in front of a 50 or 100 people audience But maybe an audience of 100 people would have been too much for you to handle at the start So what are the benefits of the flow state?
Feeling in tune with and in control of your emotions Increased satisfaction because what you accomplish at work in the flow state tends to already be a reward in itself Increased engagement at work Feelings of increased creativity because you are less self-critical in the flow state Increased focus on what you are doing Confidence that what you are working on is achievable So here are 8 key factors that contribute to the flow state Clear goal setting and immediate feedback Intense focused concentration on a specific task Balance between skills and demands Sense of personal control and agency over the tasks at hand Loss of reflective ego awareness Distortion of time and altered perception of time An autotelic experience meaning the flow state is intrinsically rewarding So I recommend you to set up periods of time for yourself and your work in which you can work focused Without distractions and without disturbances So especially without cell phones,
Without messages and other disturbances You might also set up a sign and let your colleagues or your family members know that you are not available at the moment Relaxing and monotonous music can help you achieve and maintain this state Music with too much variety can again take you out of the flow state You will notice that in about 10 to 15 minutes you are already in the flow state After about 90 minutes however you should see if you are still in the state or if your attention is already turning away This is then an indication that you should take a break It is also important to set realistic goals Clear goals will help you to steer your work and your plans much better in one direction and will show you the sense of your activity And above all you do what you do with joy and fun Then the lightness that you yourself radiate will carry your activity and arrive all by itself in a flow state Try it out!
How are your experiences with the flow state?
Do you succeed in immersing yourself with this positive and constructive focus especially at work?
By what means do you succeed in reaching this state?
What prevents you from achieving the balance between demands and skills?
Feel free to write this in the comments I am happy to hear from you!
Inspire others with your experiences of success On the other hand if you have any questions don't hesitate,
Just ask I am happy to hear from you!
Thank you and bye!
