What's flow, and how can it impact your job satisfaction?

In this issue we will:

• Explore the Flow State: What is it, and why does it matter?
• The Origin of Flow: Discovering the man behind the phrase.
• Activities That Induce Flow: Recognising the path to peak performance.
• Flow State and Career Success: How understanding what activities allow you to experience flow can boost your job satisfaction.
• Share Your Flow Experience: What activities put you in the zone?

Exploring Flow State

Have you ever been so deeply engrossed in an activity that you lost track of time, and everything around you seemed to fade away? If so, you've experienced a phenomenon known as the "flow state." Flow, often described as being "in the zone," is a mental state of complete immersion and focus in an activity. Flow experiences can occur in different ways for different people. It often happens when you are doing something that you enjoy, feels challenging and in which you are quite skilled.

The term "flow" was first used by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s. Csikszentmihalyi dedicated his career to studying human happiness and creativity, and he discovered that people often reported their most fulfilling experiences while in a state of flow.

Activities That Induce Flow

Flow can be triggered by a wide range of activities, and it's not limited to any specific domain. Common activities that are often cited as flow-inducing are creative activities such as painting, baking or sports and physical activities.

At work it might be that you find coding, working with data, problem-solving or teaching allows you to enter this state. It will be subjective and varies from person to person.

Flow State and Career Success

Understanding and harnessing the power of the flow state can significantly impact your career. When you're in a flow state, you're not only more productive but also more creative and innovative. Here's how it can benefit your professional life:

1. Enhanced Productivity:

• Flow allows you to complete tasks more efficiently, making you a valuable asset to your organization.

2. Improved Problem Solving:

• In a flow state, your brain is at its sharpest, making it easier to tackle complex challenges and find innovative solutions.

3. Increased Job Satisfaction:

• When you frequently experience flow in your work, you're more likely to find your job fulfilling and enjoyable.

4. Career Advancement:

• Employers often seek individuals who can consistently perform at their best, which flow state can help you achieve.

5. Innovation:

• Many groundbreaking ideas and inventions have been born from the deep concentration and creativity facilitated by flow.

6. Job crafting/ career choice

• Once you know the tasks that you enjoy most, you can craft your role to allow you more time and opportunities to complete these tasks. You can also ensure you have the time to go deeply into a flow state to allow you to do your best work

Now, it's your turn to reflect. What activities have the power to put you in a state of flow?

Is it coding, teaching, gardening, or something entirely different?

Understanding your own triggers for flow can help you harness this state more frequently and effectively.

For me, it's designing and creating workshops. I am happiest when I have printed the research (old school, I know!), I have creative tools to-hand and plenty of time so I can delve deep into the subject. The photo above was taken today as I prepare to create a workshop on influencing skills for a corporate graduate programme.

Please share your experiences, what activity allows you to go into a flow state? How do you shape your role, or your free time to allow you to experience flow fully?