What’s your favorite thing to do to enter in your flow?
Flow occurs when the challenge level of an activity matches the skill level of the individual, leading to a sense of deep enjoyment and concentration.
There are certain activities that are more likely to induce a state of flow, and these activities tend to share common characteristics:
Clear goals: these goals help individuals stay focused and motivated.
Immediate feedback: this allow individuals to adjust their actions in real-time, maintaining their engagement and focus.
Balance of skill and challenge: if the task is too easy, it can lead to boredom, and if it's too difficult, it can cause anxiety. Flow is achieved when there's a balance between the two.
Concentration: flow requires sustained attention and concentration on the task at hand, which helps individuals become fully absorbed in the activity.
Loss of self-consciousness: during flow, individuals often lose awareness of themselves and their worries.
Time distortion: people in a flow state often lose track of time, experiencing a sense of time passing differently than it actually is.
Intrinsic motivation: activities that are inherently enjoyable and fulfilling are more likely to induce flow.
Autonomy: individuals should feel that they are making choices and decisions that influence the outcome.
Activities that are commonly associated with inducing flow include:
Sports and physical activities: a combination of skill, challenge, and focus required.
Artistic and creative pursuits: activities like painting, playing musical instruments, writing, and other creative endeavors can induce flow when individuals are deeply engaged in the creative process.
Problem-solving and learning: activities that involve solving puzzles, playing strategy games, coding, and learning new skills can lead to flow when there's a balance between the challenge of the task and the individual's skill level.
Work and career tasks: engaging in tasks that align with one's skills and interests within the realm of work can lead to flow, resulting in increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Hobbies and crafts: like woodworking, gardening, cooking, and crafting can induce flow as individuals immerse themselves in the hands-on process.
Social interactions: meaningful conversations and interactions with others can lead to flow when there's a deep connection and the interaction is intellectually stimulating.
Remember that flow is a subjective experience, and what induces flow can vary from person to person. It's about finding activities that resonate with an individual's interests, strengths, and preferences.
Take a minute to think: What’s your favorite thing to do to enter your flow?
To share a bit about myself, I find flow in moving my body, walking, doing yoga, lifting weights, and dancing. Any physical activity, makes me feel focused and energetic.
Cooking is also something that I enjoy quite a lot, especially if I have to cook for other people.
But what I enjoy the most is supporting my client through their challenges, reaching their goals, and seeing their success.
Doing that gives me the best FLOW.
