Written by: Ginger Carlson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Do you ever get so lost in an activity that you lose track of time and feel completely immersed in whatever it is you are doing? This state of deep concentration is what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi called "flow." This state is where everything just seems to click, and time flies by. Whether you are a professional, an artist, or just someone trying to be more productive, achieving flow is something to aspire to. Besides being more productive, it can also lead to increased happiness and creativity.
In this article, we explore six ways to support you in getting closer to a state of flow.
1. Nail Down What Works for YOU
It is essential to get right to the heart of matters and find what works for you. Everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for you. Once you figure out what works, you will be surprised at what you can get done with ease and “flow.”
2. Develop a New Relationship with Time
One critical factor in achieving flow is having a positive, perhaps different, relationship with time. It is easy to get bogged down by the ticking clock and feel like time is slipping away from your control. To achieve flow, you need to develop a new relationship with time, one that makes you feel like you have all the time in the world. One way to do this is by practicing focused time-bending, where you focus on the present moment and let go of any worries about the future. Fun fact: It works!
3. Leverage Your Past Experiences
Another essential element of achieving flow is to become skilled at leveraging your past experiences. Your past experiences have shaped you into the person you are today, and they can help you achieve your goals, even the loftiest of them. Take some time to reflect on your past experiences, both positive and negative, and see how they can help you move forward. Learning to leverage those experiences will make all the difference.
4. Release Old Habits
To achieve flow, you need to let go of old habits that no longer serve you. These habits may be holding you back from achieving your goals and reaching your full potential. It is essential to identify these habits and work on replacing them with new ones that support your growth and productivity. It is easier than you have been led to believe.
5. Assemble the Right Structure (and New Habits)
Flow requires a system if you are going to achieve it regularly. To achieve flow, you need to assemble the right structure in your life that supports your goals. This may include setting up a dedicated workspace, establishing a routine, and setting clear boundaries around your time and energy. By creating a structure and new habits that support your goals, you will be able to achieve flow more easily and consistently.
6. Allow. It is an Art
Finally, to achieve flow, you need to allow ideas and projects to flow effortlessly through you. This means letting go of any resistance or attachment to the outcome and allowing things to unfold naturally. When you're in a state of flow, you're not trying to force things to happen – you're simply allowing them to happen. This is an art AND a science, and when they both come together, magic happens.
Achieving flow is something that almost everyone aspires to do, but often think only “special” people can. By cultivating the six habits outlined in this article – nailing down what works for you, developing a new relationship to time, leveraging your past experiences, releasing old habits, assembling the right structure, and allowing ideas and projects to flow effortlessly – you'll be well on your way to achieving a state of flow in your life. Remember, it's not about working harder – it's about working smarter and cultivating the conditions that support your productivity and creativity.
Dr. Ginger Carlson teaches about flow and how you can get closer to achieving this state everyday by the habits you create.
Need a little immediate inspiration? Come join the Get Thirsty podcast limited series. Get Thirsty inspires your lust for life so that you can create, do, and be more – and thrive undivided, or follow Dr. Ginger Carlson on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn for regular insights on how to thrive undivided. Visit her website for more info!
Ginger Carlson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Dr. Ginger Carlson is a thinker and creator. She transforms challenges into possibilities, division into bridges, and tragedy into triumph. Her motto: Bliss is a Verb!
