The Body & Mind Coach | Life Coach Sydney
I have experienced the state of flow myself many times while at work, but I didn’t know what it was. At that time, I didn’t have a name for it. I didn’t know that it was a flow state; a concept highlighted in 1988 by positive psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi.
These days you can find all sorts of information about the power of the flow state on the internet, in blogs and in magazines around the world. The state of flow has been praised by some of the world’s greatest philosophers, as the most creative and productive state of mind, while we are deep in work mode.
I knew at the time that I could be (and could remain) focused on a task at hand, and feel fulfilled and happy when my tasks were completed. I knew too that I could feel a great sense of achievement when I was done, and when I had been productive, I began to wonder how I could decode the sequence of how that flow took place, so that I could learn how to initiate it on the go, to apply it in different forms of practices and activities, and also to be able to teach someone how to enter the flow state, through my life coaching services, how to achieve this for themselves.
That’s when I started to reflect on all areas of my own life, and where that state of flow took place, and I realised I was often experience flow when I am surfing. When I am in the water surfing, I completely disconnect. Out there, there is nothing but the waves, my surfboard and I. My senses are alert, my mind is at peace, and I am one with the waves. I can easily spend two to four hours in the water, enjoying every minute of it without feeling the time passing. This is being in a state of flow. I have since realised, that by creating the same pattern of flow through surfing and work, that being in “the zone”, doing something thoroughly enjoyable, is highly rewarding.
So how does it feel when in flow?
That almost ecstatic state where you actually feel as though you are “in the zone” engrossed in a project whether at work or play, is when you are in a state of flow, and this is why:
- When you are 100% focused on what you are doing.
- You are in “the zone” completely; and have forgotten all about others around you.
- You completely lose track of time.
- You feel elated, content and in control.
- You are creative and productive
I have now decoded the pattern, and I am now dedicated to teaching others how to use the state of flow, to really focus on what they love and to find a sense of peace and happiness in their own lives.