State of flow reflection
I have always known a state of flow as a mental form attained when a person is performing an activity having been absorbed in an energized attention, fully involved, and satisfaction in the process of completing the action. However, I never had the same feeling when performing any of the activities in the past until recently when I turned my radio to listen to classical music. I was focused and felt amazing, like there was nothing in the world apart from me and the music. I was surprised to realize that it was true that flow is a powerful state of mind where one feels tremendous and extremely productive. It does not require one to force anyone like I have been doing to attain the state of flow. I further realized that it is not something that occurs by accident that can put you in a flow state; it requires one to understand something that can trigger him or her to get at the flow state.
Just like Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s studies reveal it, most of us think that being happy we are at the flow state by having the best moments relaxing. However, the best moments occur when the body is stretched to the limits to achieve something difficult and productive. Thus completing the flow state, one has to eliminate the external destructions whenever you get distracted from focus, taking you away from the flow state. Secondly, elimination of internal distractions such as stress helps one attain the flow state as they occupy too much of your mind distracting you from accomplishing the task. Finally, creating mental h by doing what you consider unique will always bring you to the flow state as I did by repeating a few sentences of the classical music I listened to. I believe we will be surprised like I was when we realize how amazing it is to be at a flow state.
References
Tse, D. C., Fung, H. H., Nakamura, J., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2018). Teamwork and flow proneness mitigate the negative effect of excess challenge on the flow state. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(3), 284-289.