Entering a “flow state” refers to a state of mind where people are completely immersed in an activity, resulting in a feeling of focus and full enjoyment of the task at hand.

The theory of flow

Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi developed this theory in 1975, suggesting that achieving this state of flow is similar to when someone floats while being carried along by the gentle current of a river: the brain works so efficiently that it appears to glide while the person executes the task almost instinctively.

The psychologist interviewed artists and elite athletes to try to find a common pattern that would allow anyone to achieve that state of concentration and the result not only allowed him to precisely detail his theory, but also gave him the opportunity to write some books. about it.

According to Mihály Csíkszentmihály's observations, a series of circumstances must occur for your brain to reach this mental state in which everything around you seems to disappear and the only goal is to complete the task.

You are completely focused on your task. Focusing all your attention on the task that is going to begin will be an essential requirement for you to achieve this mental state. No multitasking or distractions during the process.

You have clarity around the goals in your mind and can get immediate feedback. You know exactly why and why you are doing what you do. This allows you to move forward without problems.

It is a rewarding task. Enjoying what you are doing and having interest in it is one of the main ingredients. If you like what you do you enjoy the process.

You are not aware of yourself. One of the keys to achieving the flow state is having complete control over the processes and the development of the task. That way, if it is a physical task, muscle memory will make your hands perform the work without you being practically aware of it.

Time seems to transform. When you are immersed in that task, time seems to lose its natural condition and tends to pass extremely quickly, leaving you with the feeling that it has not been enough for you.

If any of these conditions fail, such as not having enough experience to be able to carry it out without consulting with a partner if any problem arises, it will be enough to not achieve that “flow state” in which everything flows until it is completed.

If you're working hard and you still can't get your brain into that state of mind, you might want to revisit the list of conditions: Is something distracting you, are you lacking resources, or is the task too challenging to complete? your knowledge? Analyzing all these details will help you improve on that weakness and you will end up achieving it in successive attempts.