Have you
ever spent what you thought was half an hour searching the internet, only to
find out afterwards that your session lasted three hours? Or opened a book
shortly after breakfast and a little while later noticed that it was getting darker?
Think of the
moment in your life when you were so involved in what you were doing that the
rest of the world seemed to have disappeared. About 90% can associate such a
state with one or more activis call it ‘being in the zone’ others a ‘heighted
state of consciousnesses’ and psychologist call it ‘being in a flow’.
MAKING THE FLOW HAPPEN
The state of
flow happens under very specific conditions – when we encounter a challenge
that tests our skills, and yet our skills, one can become anxious. If skills
exceed challenges, we usually become bored (like bright kids at school).
Neither of these two cases results in flow. Flow is a universal experience,
which has several important characteristics:
Ø Clarity of goals and immediate
feedback on progress.
Ø Complete concentration on what one is
doing at the present moment, with no room in one’s mind for any other
information.
Ø Actions and awareness are merged.
Ø Loosing awareness of oneself is also
a common experience
Ø Sense of control of what one is doing,
with no worries about failure.
Ø Transformation of time.
What is also interesting in flow is the almost total absence of emotions
during the actual process. We experience an increase in positive emotions after
the occurrence of flow. For example, TV is not designed for blind people, so
‘watching’ TV is for them associated with a challenge – having to build mental
images of the characters in the absence of being able to see them. It is not
possible to say for certain which activities are definitely flow- related and
which are not. What for one person is ‘a piece of cake’ can be a challenge for
another. Remember, it is not just the balance between challenge and skills that
are necessary for flow - both have to be stretched. Flow may be a state of
ultimate enjoyment, but it requires effort and work.
Flow is the ultimate optimal experience. Abhram Maslow
(humanistic psychologist) coined the term peak experience to describe the joyous and exciting moments in the
lives of every individual. In these moments we experience more whole, integrated,
awareness of ourselves and deeply happy. We have a sense of trancedence, awe, unity
and meaningfulness in life.
