What's your flow state? And how do you get there?

I was grateful to receive some new books for my birthday recently.

One I have been particularly enjoying is ‘Stolen Focus: why you can’t pay attention’ by Johann Hari, Author of Lost Connections another favourite book about the causes of depression.

I can confidently recommend Johann’s books for their solid research, critical analysis and perspective that always takes in psycho, social and political reasons behind phenomena.

Stolen Focus is about brain health, psychology and our ability to focus which is increasingly threatened by a number of modern day distractions.

None of us are surprised by the most common threats to our focus; speed of information, our reverence of multitasking, our devotion to modern technological devices are all cited in the books as inevitable causes to our distracted malaise.

What is more interesting is Johann’s discoveries about how to combat our frazzled, disconnected and agitated state and his suggestion are not about giving up social media, the news or multitasking.

As part of his research, he talks to renown American Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who is famous for recognising the mental state of ‘flow’.

A flow state is one that takes our full attention, is often challenging physically or mentally or both and results in a feelings of satisfaction, happiness and contentment.

The 10 aspects of flows states are:

1. Concentration is focused on one thing
2. The activity is challenging but achievable
3. It’s engaging and enjoyable (‘intrinsic motivation’)
4. The goal is clear
5. There is immediate feedback
6. You feel a sense of control
7. There is no sense of self-consciousness
8. Awareness of time disappears
9. A sense of connectedness and alignment to the activity result in feelings of peace and contentment
10. Physical demands and needs might fade from awareness because of absorption in the activity

I have been aware of flow states for many years because of their similarities neurobiologically with hypnosis and meditation.

All of these states result in a reduction in pre frontal cortex activity, increased dopamine and serotonin. Consequently, regularly accessing flow states can protect us against burnout, depression and anxiety.

It got me thinking about my own preferred flow states and definitely one of the reasons I enjoyed a practice of yoga is because it offers this flow state.

It also made me realise that I frequently enter a flow state when listening to clients.

My mind is focused on their story, the words that they use, the metaphors and patterns in their language. I am really focused on everything they say and am listening intently.

I am also mindful of my goal, I want to use my words to direct their attention forward on their timeline.

I am curious and open about what changes will occur for them as we use a solution focused approach. This is both challenging but always achievable and very enjoyable.

I feel a sense of control because I know what will happen, although the responses are different for each client, the process remains the same each time.

It is both predictable but different every time which again is very enjoyable.

I often lose track of time – which is an issue because good therapy should be boundaried by time!

I think the flow state is why I love practicing with clients BUT it is also why I love teaching good listening skills to other professionals.

I strongly believe that there is both an art and a science in good listening that brings a therapeutic benefit to parents.