Flow state – that elusive zone we always hear about, the mental realm where time slows down and your focus becomes razor sharp. Flow isn’t only for the pros; anyone can achieve it. Here are five tips on how to enter the flow state on command.
1. Choose something you enjoy
It’s hard to enter the flow state on command when you’re forcing yourself to do something you hate. That’s why the first step is to choose an activity you enjoy!
Whether it’s painting, running, or chess, choose something that genuinely engages you.
Engagement over excellence
Remember, you don’t have to be great at it. You just need to enjoy it enough to want to keep going. Flow is about being immersed in the moment—not being perfect. It’s forgetting about everything else because you’re so engaged.
Don’t worry about your skill level; improvements will eventually come if you dedicate time and effort.
I remember when I first started rock climbing–I was uncoordinated, and my technique was terrible. But I was having a blast when I climbed.
And I remembered how easy it was to enter the flow state because I loved climbing so much. Once I got on the wall, everything else faded into the background.
2. Be fully present
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the psychologist known as the “father of flow”, says that being in the flow state is a way of organizing your consciousness. Think of it like you’re directing all your attention towards a single task, and tuning out everything else.
For that reason, the best chances to enter the flow state are when you are fully present in whatever it is you’re doing. Whether you’re painting a watercolor landscape or going for a run, try to focus all your attention on the task at hand.
When we don’t multitask or give out undivided attention towards something, we tell our brain, “This is important. Let’s do this well.” Once you do that, it’s much easier to find your flow.
3. Create an optimal environment
You need absolute focus to enter the flow state on command. It’s best to remove distractions from your environment before starting your activity.
Declutter
Try clearing your workspace of unnecessary items. A messy space can unconsciously pull our attention away from the task at hand.
Consider eliminating digital distractions, like your phone or smartwatch. Even if you’re not using your phone, just seeing it can take you away from the moment. I recommend placing your phone out of sight, or turning off notifications.
Create a soundtrack for focus
Some athletes and performers can focus better with music. If this is the case, try finding a playlist that helps maintain a flow state.
Consider instrumental and classical music, lofi, ambient soundscapes, or nature sounds. Music without lyrics can be helpful in maintaining focus.
Think about what you need for optimal focus. Some people can work in loud spaces, while others may need background noise. Experiment with different setups and notice what works for you.
4. Start slow and find your rhythm
Jumping straight into something can be overwhelming. It’s important to start slow with whatever you’re doing and warm up both your mind and body.
Pre-practice ritual
It can be helpful to perform a ritual before starting your work. This can guide you in arriving at the right mental state.
For example, I like to crack my neck and take a deep breath before starting a climb. This lets my brain and body know that I’m about to climb.
Here are other examples of rituals you can do:
- Recite a mantra or affirmation
- Perform physical gestures in a specific order
- Drinking a cup of coffee or tea
Warm up
After your ritual is your warm-up. Treat your warm as more than a formality; it’s a vital transition to entering the flow state.
Breath as you start warming up. Notice the breath flowing in and out.
If you’re an athlete, feel the different parts of your body and mind firing as you move. Use this time to transition into your flow state. Begin with low intensity and prioritize quality over quantity.
One mistake I used to make (and still do sometimes) is rushing into my training session too quickly. This can stress your nervous system and add tension into your body, which can delay the flow state.
Always start slow and breathe.
Rhythm
The main reason to start slow is so you find your rhythm, which is the bridge between conscious effort and automatic flow. Once you find that rhythm, maintain it.
Keeping up a rhythm will eventually trigger the flow state because rhythm introduces a predictable pattern your brain can follow. As you follow that pattern with less and less effort, the flow state will arrive soon.
If your rhythm gets thrown off, that’s ok! Reset, breathe, and find the rhythm again.
5. Challenge yourself
Mihaly also said that achieving the flow state is more likely when your skills match the challenge at hand.
In other words, flow is easier to achieve when the task at hand is just challenging enough for you to complete.
Think about a time you were in a flow state. What were you doing? Chances are that the task wasn’t trivial or easy. It was probably complex and challenging enough that you had to devote your full attention to it.
“Flow happens when a person’s skills are fully involved in overcoming a challenge that is just about manageable.” -Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
If a task is too easy, you’ll get bored.
If it’s too hard, you’ll get overwhelmed.
Flow lives in that sweet spot—where you’re stretched, but not stressed.
Take the time to adjust the level of your challenges, and you’ll find it easier to enter the flow state on command.
If you found this post helpful, you might like this other post on how to increase the mind muscle connection.
Hopefully, this post gave you some ideas on how to enter the flow state! As always, leave a comment below if any of this was helpful and feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
