The Good Egg: The Flow State

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Today, we’re back on the topic of “flow” and we’re discussing the optimal conditions to achieve that state.

1. Challenge and skills balance. There needs to be a strong balance between the task and your skill set. You need to feel extremely competent and excited to take on the challenge/task.

2. Clear goals and unambiguous feedback. Having clear goals means that you understand what you need to do to move forward in the task. Making sure you’re able to get clear feedback each step of the way can contribute to a flow state.

a. Action-awareness merging. When what you’re doing becomes “second-nature”. Many people call it “being in the zone”.

b. Concentration on the task. Being fully engaged in the activity and easily avoiding distractions.

c. Sense of control. You feel like you’re “unstoppable” or that you can “achieve anything”.

3. Loss of self-consciousness. You “become one with the activity” and don’t worry about how others see you.

4. Transformation of time. You lose track of time because you are so immersed in the activity.

5. Autotelic experience. Things done for their own sake, not for any future benefit.

For more on this, check out “11 Activities and Exercises to Induce a Flow State (+6 examples)” by Elaine Houston. Think about what puts you in a flow state. Flow state leads to improved happiness levels. So when you’re looking for something to do, look for something that puts you in this kind of state.

-The Good Egg 🐣