While there is no neurobiological definition of flow, Herb Benson’s research at Harvard led to the understanding of four stages of flow. All of the above characteristics show up and you’re suddenly one with the universe. Getting sucked into a great brainstorming conversation with someone. You can also experience different levels of flow in your life. When you’re angry, you can feel anything from mildly ticked off to enraged. You also need to understand that flow has degrees of experience. Then, check out Keith Sawyer’s book, Group Genius. If you’re looking for some tips on creating more group flow, start with our recent post on creativity in the workplace. The shared, collective experience of a group performing at their peak is called “group flow.” To create more flow in your life, take this quiz to find out what’s blocking your flow. The two types of flow are individual and group. If you chase flow too much and become a “bliss junkie” you’ll experience the dark side of flow.

It’s important to realize that we are not meant to be in flow all the time. That’s why you should pay attention to the flow cycle below. These characteristics feel so good, that flow is probably the most addictive substance on the planet! In flow, you are the master of your own destiny. Paradox of Control-You have a powerful sense of control over the situation.The activity or work becomes its own reward. Intrinsic Motivation-The experience is “autotelic.” This means the activity has a purpose in itself.Effortlessness-Your sense of struggle and frustration vanishes.Past and future disappear as you enter “a deep now.” Timelessness-You experience an altered perception of time.As self-consciousness goes away, the inner critic is silenced. Selflessness-Your sense of self disappears.Your actions feel automatic and require little or no additional resources. Action and Awareness Merge-You and what you’re doing become one.If you want to know if an experience qualifies as being in flow state, this list of flow characteristics is a great place to start. Check out this article for more flow triggers. These characteristics help propel you into flow. In a moment, you can course correct mid-flight. Immediate Feedback-closing the gap between cause and effect.Knowing where you are right now, and where you want to go next. Clear Goals-not big life goals (like winning a gold medal or making a million dollars).The magic ratio is about 4% harder than you are comfortable with. Challenge/Skills Balance-the challenge of the task slightly exceeds your skill set.Intense Concentration-not dividing your mind between tasks, but being totally absorbed by one action in the present moment.These aren’t the only flow triggers, but we have found these things help drive you into a flow state. We include four of them among our “flow triggers.” Our research has found that these precede flow. It actually has a very rich and exciting history.Ĭsikszentmihalyi’s research, along with other scientists, uncovered ten characteristics of flow state. In 1990, Csikszentmihalyi put his decades of research on flow states into his seminal work Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.įlow science isn’t new. They all described similar “flowy” experiences where every action flowed seamlessly, effortlessly, from one thing to the next. The term “flow” came from Csikszentmihalyi’s survey subjects describing what their peak activities felt like. His findings were published in his 1975 book, “ Beyond Boredom and Anxiety: Experiencing Flow in Work and Play.” He asked a simple question: “What activities produce your deepest enjoyment and greatest satisfaction?” The “godfather” of flow is the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.Ĭsikszentmihalyi (pronounced: chick-sent-me-high) conducted one of the largest psychological surveys on flow state.

Now, let’s break flow states down to see what they actually are. If you’ve ever experienced anything like that, you’ve been in a flow state. At work, it’s been shown to increase productivity, motivation, and company loyalty. Time distorts (it can appear to speed up or slow down).Īnd, during this total absorbtion and rapt attention, your mental and physical performance go through the roof.įlow state is associated with a healthy sense of well-being and increased happiness. You get so focused on a task that everything else disappears.

You know those times when you feel your best and perform your best?

Flowstate dictionary