What Is Flow?
A flow state is a psychological concept that refers to a state of optimal being, where an individual is fully engaged in an activity and experiences a sense of timelessness and calm, absent of self consciousness resulting in a stronger, healthier state of mind and body.
Flow states are not just for athletes and creatives, they are moments of profound emotional balance and mental clarity that deeply connect you to your motivations, heighten your attention and enhance your cognitive and emotional capabilities. This alignment of the mind and emotions not only amplifies performance, but deeply nurtures emotional well-being allowing answers to difficult challenges to come easily and clearly.
There are 2 core components to achieving an optimal flow state: Discipline & Surrender.
Discipline refers to the ability to focus your attention on a specific activity, setting a clear intention, creating an ideal environment and utilizing a system, practice or ritual that encourages you to let go.
Speaking of letting go, Surrender is the ability to let go of any distractions or concerns that may interfere with the practice or activity. When we let go into the discipline, we release negative thoughts, set aside unpleasant emotions and embrace the flow of the experience.
Flow is a daily practice that can help to deepen your connection to self and lead to more awareness, confidence, compassion and care, while inspiring more meaning in your work, relationships, athletic performance and responsibilities. Flow can be useful for mental health, productivity and peak performance.
Flow State Principles
Eliminate Before Optimize
Focus on removing distractions and inefficiencies before fine-tuning systems or behaviors. Simplify first, then elevate.
Environment Trumps Willpower
Design your surroundings to naturally align with your goals—your environment is more powerful than willpower.
Attention is Your Greatest Asset
Guard your focus fiercely. Learn to reclaim and direct your attention for deeper work and a more intentional life.
Flow Fuels Fulfillment
Leverage the science of flow states to unlock ease, creativity, and peak performance in both work and life.
Challenge Drives Change
Seek out goals and tasks that stretch your abilities. The sweet spot of challenge—not too easy, not too hard—is where growth happens.
Small Habits, Big Impact
Stack, scale and integrate habits that align with your goals, creating compounding growth through consistent, manageable actions.
Rhythm Beats Hustle
Optimize productivity by honoring natural cycles of effort and rest. Work smarter, not harder.
Flow is a Practice
Understand that flow isn’t a coincidence—it’s a practice. Cultivate habits and environments that make flow a repeatable part of life.
THE SCIENCE
OF FLOW
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A deep dive into the neurobiology of flow states and the onset of flow
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Deloitte compared the relationship between flow and employee engagement metrics to show the benefits at work.
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A review of the triggers that influence flow in athletes.
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A look at Flow from as an undervalued state of being and how it can be used to increase motivation & happiness.
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How to integrate emotional, motivational and cognitive engagement to create a state of flow.