Flow State: What is it, and how can you get more of it?
YES, I’VE GOT THIS!
Doesn’t that golden moment where we loose track of time, and become engulfed in the task at hand feel so good! It's that sweet spot where effort and ease met, or where "the challenge meets our skillset".
Its a feeling we all crave.
Whether we experience it in our craft, in an out pour of creativity, through a conversation, or in physical activity, it feels so bloody good to get lost in a moment of pure presence.
As the nature of life is one of polarity we all dance in and out of flow state on momentary, daily, monthly or yearly basis.
Whilst this sounds whimsical it certainly doesn't always feel that way!.. Sometimes this dance feels like shit has hit the fan and we are banging our head against a wall trying to get a task done.
The good news is that even though the road may seem bumpy this state is always available to us, we just have to choose to step into presence.
After a rocky afternoon of life admin over the weekend, I made a list of 7 Ways to get into Flow State.
1) SET A REALISTIC GOAL
Don't get this confused with selling yourself short. ALWAYS aim high, but make sure the step by step goals you have in place to reach your destination are realistic and will empower you forward. Challenge yourself but don’t set yourself up for overwhelm.
2) TIME:
Having a timeframe or deadline can be really beneficial to help you drop into a task. HOWEVER, It might take a few minutes, hours, days or months, (depending on your goal), to understand what you need to do and be skilled enough to drop into a rhythm and flow when doing it. Allow yourself a reasonable amount of time.
3) KEEP FOCUSED
I liken this to long-distance running. If you are like me, there is a point where I hit a puffing and panting plateau and wonder how I will make it past the first 5km. BUT, if I keep going I find that a second gear kicks in and I can go for miles. BAM this is flow state.
Don't give up, keep going until and stay focused until you find yourself reaching that point where you get lost in what it is you are doing.
4) TURN ON SOME MUSIC AND DANCE
Ever got lost in a song and found yourself bopping along? BAM, that’s flow state. Let yourself be carried into the music and move your body so that you start embodying the energy of FLOW. Then come back to the task at hand with fresh eyes and new energy.
5) LET THE IDEAS COME OUT
If you are wanting to access your creativity this one is particularly important. In my experience you have to get through the surface ideas to get to the good stuff. Instead of shutting your ideas down explore them and let them come to life. By embracing this process something will be birthed.
6) HIGH FIVE YOURSELF
When you do reach a state of flow recognise it, smile to yourself and enjoy it. Be awear of it and note anything that may have helped you get there (perhaps you had a meal before that made you feel great, or spoke to someone who inspired you).
7) YOGA ASANA PRACTICE.
Of course, this is my favourite of all. Marrying breath and movement together helps us step into presence. From here we can drop in and connect to the place of stillness that is beyond the thinking mind, and be carried by an energy that feels like we are moving forward.