Psychology behind flow states

Psychology behind flow states

 

          A flow state is about being completely present in the moment. Being present in the moment is about embracing the being of your body, or heart, and not your head (or brain). This means that you aren’t thinking about the future or past. All you are thinking about is the present moment and you are letting every stimuli in your environment affect your emotions to some extent. This is a flow state.

 

          There are two types of flow states. One flow state is productive and the other flow state is nonproductive.

         

          Nonproductive flow states are flow states that do not subconsciously push you in the direction of your long term goals. The most common nonproductive flow state is contemplation. Most nonproductive flow states have little long term value. For example, depending on what’s being contemplated, it could have tremendous value.

 

          Productive flow states are uncommon because this requires work. This type of flow state requires people to actively embrace the moment as they strive toward a long term goal. Thinking long term is thinking about the future. Pondering the future is not being present in the moment because you are inside your head. Thus, the hardest flow state to enter is the productive flow state because the brain and heart are conflicting.

 

          Productive flow states lead to the success of all successful people. Life is about work. Work is another word for “striving toward a goal”. The more goals you can achieve that are worthwhile, the more of a success you become. To achieve the worthwhile goals, you must enter a productive flow state.

 

          What does a productive flow state feel like? A productive flow state is self-fulfilling. You know that the more you are forcing yourself to do, the more you are currently benefiting. It is as if you are on autopilot. You feel as if you are receiving benefits equal to the amount of effort you are giving simultaneously in the present moment. This state is where passions are created. Wherever people are describing what their passion feels like, this is what they are referring to… a productive flow state. It is self-fulfilling.

 

          If people could live in productive flow states, they would. The more they put into those moments, the more they receive.

 

          Why do people get out of productive flow states? People must get out of productive flow states to appreciate productive flow states. As a result, people either choose to not enter a flow state or choose a nonproductive flow state. Overall, to fully appreciate the benefits of a productive flow state is to occasionally remind the heart, or the body, about the alternative.