The Flow in Creation

“FLOW”

Where every incoming action was smoother than the last.  

Where time ceased to pester.  

Where rhythm was easy.  

In creation, this was the path to a breakthrough, the door to intuitive progression.  

The word flow was first coined by the polymath Johann Wolfgang von Goethe as overflowing with joy. The psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described it as alternative consciousness, an optimal state of mind where one feels and performs at their best. Other definitions were offered by psychologists like Abraham Maslow who referred to it as a peak experience. The author Steven Kotler interpreted flow as effortless effort.    

Flow was recognized as the realm of grace. A dexterity in the unthinking. It was a flawless recipe for productivity, focus, and relaxation. This was where one became completely enveloped, fearless, reaching a rebirth.  

To enter this state, several systems had to be established. Applying them was what required great attention. 

1. Alignment: The challenge before you had to first be of your choosing. Secondly, it had to slightly surpass your skillset. This helped to alleviate monotony and resentment.  

2. Presence: The ideal condition for ensuring flow was complete immersion in the “now”. This called for regulating predictable distractions and constructing environments of low disturbance.   

3. Managed Ego: Listening to your inner voice meant that you had to put self-interest aside. After this, you were more apt to functional participation.  

4. Resilience: To be driven to a position that gifted revelations, it was imperative to resist dwelling in manufactured comfort. If there was no reoccurring vulnerability to possibility and execution, there would be no reason to even begin. 

5. Purpose: Although comparable to passion in terms of concentration and vigor, they were pursued distinctly. When purpose was found, it was useful, not fickle. It was a non-selfish practice that demanded autonomy.  

6. Collaboration: Objectives were the glue of connections. When there was a hyperawareness of cause, effect, and feedback, coordination was restored.  

7. Contemplation: This involved inviting silence into spaces. Philanthropist Jeff Walker pointed out that 70% of our thoughts were about the past, 20% were about the future, and 10% were about right now. Having flow turn into function meant taking ownership of the thoughts that manifested by just letting them pass by. 

In creation, flow overrode memory. It was the experience of transcending old shadows. When we reached this trance, there were no questions about edits or prototypes, there were no doubts about color or form, there was no need to hold back or reassess one more time. In flow, you carried on from where you last left off.

Let me know where you’ve been finding flow these days.