How To Enter A State Of Flow With Ease | Steven Kotler

But why is flow so elusive? Does that have to be the case?

After Lyme disease attacked Steven Kotler’s neurological wellbeing, he decided to commit his life to the scientific study of enhanced states like flow. He studies peak performers from various fields. He draws on the latest neuroscience, psychology, and physiology.

He's a New York Times bestselling author of books like The Rise of Superman and Stealing Fire. Steven has been able to automate and articulate the previously mysterious state of flow.

And now, Steven’s sharing a few of his secrets to entering flow in this video.

[Mindvalley]

Which tips are you going to take away and try for yourself?

[FaiSaLSaiFF]

I easily enter flow state while watching YouTube, just mastered it!

[thadicktater]

This guy has a terrific speaking voice.

[Diackson]

Notes
1. Inmediate feedback: finding someone to work with who can give us, for example 2-3 times a week, minimal feedback for flow(we should be able to recognize the minimal priorities to cover up in our goals) Someone could point out what sometimes we don't even notice in our tendencies.

2. Exercise: there's a recovery period for flow, examples like box breathing (kind of mindfullnes, imaginating four sides of a square/box: inhale for 5 seconds, hold it for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds and hold it for 5 seconds.
Any kind of mindfulnnes is training focus and is gonna help flow... also, when we exhale and then we hold our breath for more than 5 seconds, it induces a run or fight response and it's training focus through the panic.

3. Creativity triggers flow and viceversa, we want to create pattern recognition and what really triggers flow is pattern recognition, the linking ideas together... If we wanna create pattern recognition we have to feed the brain ideas:
In modern world we tend to specialize and theres not enough distance between the income ideas and older ideas to create pat recognition.
We could try to read 25-50 non fiction pages a day outside our core area in something we are curious /interested about so we are giving ourselves basic necessities to make connections that will help us get in flow.
Thanks a lot for the tips!

[Inerize]

*Everything is temporary. Emotions, thoughts, people, and scenery. Do not become attached. Just flow with it.*

[nac]

habits that help you to enter the flow state :
Exercise, read ( preferably non-fiction and something your curious and interested in ), box breathing ( stay calm through the panic ), Meditate

[Psychgo]

Thank you so much for these three knowledge!

[marklangerexcuseless]

My wife is my feedback buddy. ... Thank you ... I really needed this...

[AENONxSRLOSCO]

Wow it's crazy that I was starting to experience the panic he was talking about after a few breaths, just before he explained that we have to focus through it. I really love this practice and can't wait to see how using it, together with other techniques will help me evolve, (of course on my side with all glory to The Most High.)

❤
Stay blessed, stay fresh, create, disrupt, expand.

Heal the earth.

[HellBelleAustin]

Excellent!!! Box breathing is a key to stronger vocals. It helps strengthen the diaphragm for better breath for vocal support. ♥️ I can hold notes longer and it helps me sing higher octaves...I actually tapped into an ability to sing Pop Diva style using this method (blues rock and jazz usually). ❤️🎶

[ossen]

*Experiencer becomes the experience, just observing the happening and enjoying the ride.*

[nnvananh]

- reset nervous system
- deaden pain, anxiety, depression and inner critic
- activate 5 sensory
- go into the deep now - nothing else matter
- focus through pain
- stay between challenge and ease

- immediate feedback
-exercise
- read outside of core focus to recognise pattern
-trigger flight or fight response by box breathing

[growithjoy]

Reading a book outside my area of interest is not something I have considered before but now it makes so much sense to do so. Thanks

[shamgabrmusic]

This is fascinating! Steven's insights on flow as "effortless effort" and the importance of immediate feedback are intriguing. My experience with entering flow while freestyling to beat instrumentals aligns with the idea of effortless effort but diverges in other ways. For me, it’s a relaxed state where complete concentration isn't necessary, and distractions aren't an issue—I achieve flow through a total let-go. Interestingly, my brain activity measurements support this relaxed flow state, indicating diverse pathways to achieving flow. Thanks for sharing these valuable insights!

[sanjayshetty]

Great wisdom, Steven Kotler.Nice to get to know you.
Thank You Vishen for introducing.

[jamesvisto]

Finally! I beat Jiren in the tournament of power

[aliziasight]

Thank You Steve, Great info to start your day !

[katrinaruthministries]

So cool to hear your thoughts on being in the flow state!

[ThePsychicStylist]

I really LOVED the information! HOWEVER THE MUSIC WAS TERRIBLY DISTRACTING & anxiety music!

[gc]

To prep for and activate flow I will try:

1. Empty cognitive load by doing a journaling brain dump

2. Re- clarify goals

3. Distraction management

4. Seek out education +practice basics so skills are only slightly below the challenge

5. Find a Feedback buddy I can show my art to

6. Beet juice and Matcha

7. Deadlines, time limitations

8. Count, watch, or record brushstrokes

9. Get a system to know exactly what to do next

10. Being in a classroom

11. Paint Yuki

12. Do some thing creative

13. Read 20 pages a day from one of your books