Flow

Written by JC on October 25, 2024

I’m a minimalist, and I always strive to simplify things and stick to that approach. However, after a while, I realize I get tired and bored. I crave something that challenges me—but not too difficult and not too easy. This desire forms the foundation of what is known as ‘Flow.’

Flow is a mental state where you’re fully immersed in the task at hand, often losing track of time and experiencing a sense of effortless momentum. It’s a state of optimal experience where the challenge of the task matches the individual’s skills, leading to high productivity and satisfaction.

By definition, it always involves a challenge, which is exactly what I’m seeking. But how can we trigger flow? We can break it down into three key elements:

1. Clear goals
2. Immediate feedback
3. A balance between challenge and skills

Clear goals are essential because they provide direction and purpose. When you know exactly what you’re aiming to accomplish, it’s easier to stay focused and motivated. Ambiguity can kill flow, so setting specific targets helps you maintain momentum. Goals don’t have to be grand; they just need to be well-defined, giving you a clear sense of what success looks like and what steps to take to get there.

Immediate feedback is the second key element. Feedback allows you to adjust your approach as you go, reinforcing what’s working and correcting what’s not. This constant loop of input helps keep you engaged, reducing uncertainty and building confidence. Whether it’s external feedback from others or an internal sense of progress, knowing right away if you’re on track keeps the flow alive.

The last element is crucial. You don’t want the task to be so hard that it feels overwhelming and leads to anxiety, nor do you want it to be so easy that it becomes boring. It should sit in the sweet spot, with just enough challenge to trigger flow.

In the next part, we’ll discuss how to apply this concept to your life.