How to get into flow state

Howdy peoples, it's a grim Wednesday evening here in Manchester and I'm sat in the bleachers at the swimming pool waiting for my little fish to finish synchronised swimming... So what better time, to ironically write the next instalment of Lightbulb Moments, on flow state!

But first, a reminder...

Flow state, in its simplest form, is when challenge matches skill level. It's when you're working on something that you know. Something that is hard but not so hard that it's difficult or frustrating. Something that pushes you *just enough* that it keeps your attention but not so much that you want to throw it out of the window. OK, maybe that's just me with technology... You will have experienced flow state. It's when you're so engrossed in something that you lose time. It's when you're energised by the thing you're doing and that task is aligned with your interests and intrinsic motivators. Flow state feels really good!

If you want to geek out a little more, the concept of flow state was first introduced in the 1980s by a lovely dude called Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who has written lots of interesting articles in the positive psychology space and is one of my favourite authors because a) he's a super smart dude b) ask anyone in my field and they will pronounce his surname differently c) his first name is also the end of his second name. I'll post some links in the comments for some further reading.

Flow state is mentally very beneficial. It gives you a release of happy hormones which in turn makes you feel like you're winning at life (and let's be honest who doesn't like to win at life). It's great for productivity - especially if you have a "work smarter nor harder" mentality like me!

Come on Jenni, tell us the important stuff. How do we get into flow state!?

How to get into flow state

1. Location! Location! Location!

Where you are matters, and isn't as simple as it sounds. Flow can be achieved in different places for different activities - it's a bit of a trial and error to find the right place. Let me give you an example: I absolutely cannot write anything in my home office. I sit, I have writer's block, I can't focus, the space doesn't work for me (and I know I can get into flow when writing). Put me in a coffee shop, with my headphones on and some free wifi and I can write for hours. I'm doing the same activity but the actual physical space helps me into flow state.

2. Time! Time! Time! (OK, that doesn't work, I'll stop ;)

"When" matters too. Without getting into circadian rhythms or night owls/early birds (squirrel - night and early are NOT opposites so this is a terrible comparison) the time that you do whatever it is that you're doing matters. The best example I can give of this is for you to think about when you like to exercise and when you get your best results. If you're looking to get into flow, do it at a time when you are your most energised (it's 11pm at night for me - which is wholly inconvenient).

3. Set yourself up for success

If you want to be in flow, close your emails down. Switch your Slack off, take your Apple Watch off (other smart watches are available) ;). Give yourself the best chance to be in flow by actively removing distractions.

4. Create a ritual

Once you can do the first three, create a ritual or process so that your body and brain know that you're heading into a flow state. It could be taking a walk beforehand. It might be putting on a certain hoodie or using a certain glass for a drink. Our brains love patterns so give it a nudge in the right direction to let it know that you mean business.

Finally, if you're working in flow state, give yourself time to reflect on your successes. Flow state can be achieved at work, yes, but can also be achieved when exercising, learning, and being creative.

If you're truly in flow state you've created this space for yourself to really flourish and that is something to be celebrated. So celebrate!

I'd love to hear about the times when you're in flow state, and if you've got questions then drop them in the comments.

But for now,

Toodles!