 We’ve all had moments where time seems to disappear, as all we focus on is right in front of us, and the rest of the world simply vanishes. Our senses are heightened, our concentration and focus are unbreakable and it seems whatever we do turns out to be the right thing. Athletes have now recognised this peak performance state and have learnt to harness it to maximise their success. So how can we, in our daily lives, experience this flow?
Firstly, it's essential to have a task that you thoroughly enjoy and can immerse yourself in. For example: swimming, painting, yoga, playing music, sodoku or perhaps a physical activity like surfing or running. The most important aspect is that you’re able to completely and utterly focus on only that activity and simply won’t be tempted by distractions.
 Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, in his book “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience”, describes how flow is the peak state where happiness is experienced. It is where our skill level meets the current challenge and we are able to push ourselves to excel at the task at hand. He also explains that when the current challenge is higher than our skill level we will find ourselves anxious and overwhelmed. However, when our skill level is much higher than the current challenge, we experience boredom and melancholy.
So how can we create more of this ‘Flow’ in our everyday lives? Well, as you begin your preferred task recall those times you have achieved flow, either in this task or while doing something else. Close your eyes and replay that specific memory in your mind, and as you mentally relive and rehearse being in flow so your actual physical and emotional state moves back into flow. As this happens notice your senses heightening, your concentration increasing and your stamina, determination and skill level all improving. Now, as you start working on your chosen activity, notice how quickly you can slip back into that state of flow! Like everything, creating flow in our lives takes practice and patience; keep at it, and you’ll be completely absorbed in no time!
As much as 20 minutes in true Flow each day can be enough to ease the physical and emotional stress we put ourselves under and greatly increase our emotional wellbeing and general functioning.
So perhaps today is the day to truly get back into the flow of life. Enjoy!
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