Perform at your best
We all have a moment when we have been fully in the zone and felt good about it. It doesn’t have to be that we were the fastest or the strongest or coolest in the world and we have a shiny medal to prove it. It could be we got the housework done when we couldn’t be bothered, we were on fire when we danced at that party or we made a meal that everyone licked their lips at. But you know how that feels don’t you. Think of your own time a moment. And smile about it.
That warm growing tingle explosion rising up your body into your shoulders giving you a glow and extra energy to go again. In the zone, in the flow, on cloud 9.
In positive psychology, a flow state, also known as being in the zone, is the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.
It’s an amazing place is this zone, when it’s the right zone. You can be in the middle of it at any moment when you are flowing and fire and you can also feel and think yourself into the zone even when you feel miles away from it. To feel and think yourself in to the place where it feels like what you want to do or are about to do, has already been done. And when you get your self into the zone this way, it’s not a matter of if or when you’re going to be successful in your task. It’s going to happen. Without fail.
This optimal state of performance is about simply hoping you will do OK, or believing you can do it. These things are more than capable of vanishing and abandoning you as the performance begins. It is beyond self-belief and hope its a being of awareness, that calm wonderful feeling in which things you would normally consider hard to do, seem natural, normal and easy. And the more often and reliably we are able to find this awareness of flow state the more enjoyable and successful our chosen task will be.
So how do we find a way to enter this state reliably? That’s the key question isn’t it? If it’s so amazing why are we not doing this all the time?
Well firstly you do need to put the work in on this, preparation.
It really is the same with anything in life. We wouldn’t expect to buy a violin and be in the orchestra on the same day. We are unlikely to jump straight into the zone the first time we sit down with the instrument. We need to work at it, learn and practise, make it something we immerse ourselves into and allow the flow to happen this way. This optimal performance state isn’t a substitute for hard work or studying, the flow state rises from your preparation.
You simply become what you are doing. That’s a great way of thinking about this state. This flow begins the further into your passion you are and it embraces you as you embrace it. It doesn’t allow for anything negative or unnecessary or counterproductive such as fear and doubt or even hope and positive thinking. You are just in total awareness and nothing else is in your vision to talk you out of it.
Importantly this optimal state only enters you when you let it. So you need to make sure you are letting the right state in! The more you can relax and empty your mind of all thoughts, whether they be of what you want or what you don’t want, then the more open your internal nature becomes for the flow to enter you.
This state is very similar to hypnotic states, a waking trance like automatic pilot, which I know you will be able to relate to having experienced it yourself at some point. This can happen when we achieve everyday tasks like driving or walking along a well known route. You don’t have to think about turns and directions you just end up where you wanted to be and often without remembering much about the journey.
Your body and brain automatically do the right thing. It really is the kind of trance that mostly grips us and carries us and only afterwards do we realize we were on another plant for a while!
Yet we can also deliberately induce this state and direct it in a way which really is beneficial for us. Attached above is full hypnotic experience which will do this. Try it and then try it again. Practise it and see how you can find a way to put yourself into a flow state whenever you choose. Follow my words and be comfortable with the experience and remember as always there is no right and wrong way of doing this. Just do it your way.
And if you want to continue reading first I have put together a few facts about the flow state and zone and some examples of really how beneficial they are for us in our everyday life not just if we are going for an Olympic gold medal. Although there is nothing wrong with going for that medal!
The Flow State
The flow state, also known as being “in the zone,” refers to a state of complete immersion and focus in an activity. Coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, flow is characterized by a heightened state of concentration and enjoyment, where individuals are fully absorbed in what they are doing.
When someone is in a flow state, they experience a sense of effortless action and time seems to pass quickly. They are fully engaged in the present moment and have a clear understanding of their goals and progress. External distractions fade away, and the individual’s skills and abilities match the challenges of the activity, creating a harmonious balance.
Several characteristics define the flow state:
- Intense focus: Individuals in flow are fully concentrated on the task at hand, with a heightened awareness of their actions and surroundings.
- Loss of self-consciousness: Self-awareness diminishes, and individuals become less concerned about their self-image, fears, or judgments.
- Time distortion: Flow can alter one’s perception of time. Hours can feel like minutes, as individuals become engrossed in their activities.
- Effortless action: Flow often involves a feeling of effortless performance, where skills and abilities align with the demands of the task.
- Clear goals and feedback: The flow state is more likely to occur when the goals are well-defined, and individuals receive immediate and unambiguous feedback about their progress.
- Merging of action and awareness: Flow involves a seamless integration of action and awareness, where individuals are fully engaged in the present moment and experience a sense of control.
Flow can be experienced in various activities, such as sports, arts, work, and hobbies. It is often associated with increased creativity, productivity, and overall well-being. Achieving flow requires finding the right balance between the level of challenge presented by the activity and one’s skills and abilities.
In the Zone
Imagine a professional basketball player during a crucial game. As the game progresses, the player enters a state of flow. They are completely focused on the game, their movements become fluid and instinctive, and they seem to anticipate the actions of their opponents effortlessly. The player is fully immersed in the present moment, unaware of the crowd or any external distractions.
In this state, the player’s skills and abilities perfectly match the demands of the game. Every shot they take seems to effortlessly find the net, and they flawlessly execute intricate passes and dribbling manoeuvres. Time seems to fly by, and the player is fully absorbed in the intense competition.
The player experiences a sense of joy and fulfilment, deriving satisfaction from the game itself rather than external rewards. They are motivated by the sheer love of the sport and the desire to perform at their best. The player’s mind and body are in sync, creating a seamless connection between their actions and their awareness.
The optimal performance state
The optimal performance state, also known as the peak performance state, refers to the ideal mental and physical state in which an individual performs at their best. It is a state of optimal focus, energy, and effectiveness, enabling individuals to achieve their highest levels of performance and productivity.
While the optimal performance state may vary from person to person and across different domains, there are some common characteristics associated with it:
- Heightened focus and concentration: Individuals in the optimal performance state are fully absorbed in their task, free from distractions, and able to maintain sustained focus throughout the activity.
- Effortless performance: Tasks that would normally require significant effort become more effortless and fluid. Individuals can execute skills and actions with ease and precision.
- High energy and motivation: Individuals in the optimal performance state often experience a surge of energy and motivation. They have a strong internal drive to succeed and are fueled by a sense of passion and purpose.
- Mental clarity: The mind is clear and free from unnecessary thoughts or doubts. Individuals have a clear understanding of their goals, strategies, and the steps required to achieve them.
- Emotional balance: Emotions are typically positive and well-regulated in the optimal performance state. Individuals may experience a sense of calm, confidence, and enthusiasm, enabling them to perform at their best without being overwhelmed by stress or anxiety.
- Time distortion: Similar to the flow state, individuals in the optimal performance state may experience a distortion of time, where they lose track of time or feel that time is passing quickly due to their intense focus and engagement in the task.
- Adaptability and resilience: Individuals in the optimal performance state are flexible and adaptable. They can adjust to changing circumstances, make quick decisions, and recover effectively from setbacks or challenges.
Achieving the optimal performance state often requires a combination of factors such as adequate preparation, a positive mindset, proper goal setting, physical well-being, and effective stress management. Techniques like visualization, goal-setting, mindfulness, and deliberate practice can help individuals cultivate and access this state more consistently.
It’s important to note that the optimal performance state is highly individual and can vary depending on the task, context, and personal preferences. What works for one person may not work for another. Experimentation and self-awareness are key to understanding and accessing your own optimal performance state.
Imagine a guitarist performing on stage during a live concert. As the music begins, the guitarist enters a state of flow. They become fully absorbed in the music, feeling each note and rhythm with profound clarity. Their fingers effortlessly glide across the fretboard, executing complex chord progressions and melodic lines with precision.
In this state, the musician is completely focused on the music, their surroundings fading into the background. They have an intuitive understanding of the composition, anticipating each musical change and expressing themselves in the moment. The music flows through them, and they respond with creativity and spontaneity.
The musician’s technical skills merge with their emotional expression. They become one with their instrument, allowing the music to guide their movements and convey their feelings. They are attuned to the nuances of sound, adjusting their playing to create the desired dynamics and tone.
Time seems to stand still as the musician immerses themselves in the music. They experience a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfilment, connecting with the audience on an emotional level. The performance becomes a transcendent experience, both for the musician and the listeners.
Or also imagine a professional basketball player during a crucial game. As the game progresses, the player enters a state of flow. They are completely focused on the game, their movements become fluid and instinctive, and they seem to anticipate the actions of their opponents effortlessly. The player is fully immersed in the present moment, unaware of the crowd or any external distractions.
In this state, the player’s skills and abilities perfectly match the demands of the game. Every shot they take seems to effortlessly find the net, and they flawlessly execute intricate passes and dribbling manoeuvres. Time seems to fly by, and the player is fully absorbed in the intense competition.
The player experiences a sense of joy and fulfilment, deriving satisfaction from the game itself rather than external rewards. They are motivated by the sheer love of the sport and the desire to perform at their best. The player’s mind and body are in sync, creating a seamless connection between their actions and their awareness.
