

The small challenge will cause a cascade effect, creating the struggle that triggers the focus and mental energy to create a deeper longer flow state, improve learning and retention, and become 4% better the next day. That way you’re not overly tasked, but not working from autopilot.Įvery day, you need to do something that is 4% greater or a little bit harder than your current skillset. To ensure you’re working in the flow channel, you need to push yourself a little more every day. Because again, if the work is too hard, you’re going to trigger a stress response, and if it’s too easy, you’re working out of compliance. Getting into the flow means that you have learned to be slightly uncomfortable but not too uncomfortable. The 4% Rule is Fundamental to Finding and Staying in the Flow Channel Thus, the Golden Rule is all about finding the sweet spot between your skill level and the challenge of the task at hand so you can get into and stay in a flow channel longer. Both of which prevent you from operating in a heightened state of focus, clarity, and presence. When your work isn’t challenging enough or is too repetitive, you can find yourself in a state of boredom or passivity. The Golden Rule is an overlooked yet fundamental principle to flow theory: If your task is perceived as too challenging for your current skill set, you’ll trigger anxiety or stress. Mihaly noticed that when you’re doing something that slightly exceeds your skillset in a way that isn’t too easy or too hard, you can tap into a flow channel. In other words, to experience flow state, we have to challenge ourselves. Though every phase is vitally important, it’s important to note that we need to “struggle,” or we won’t tap into our optimal performance. To get into the flow state, you have to go through all three phases: The Golden Rule: Without Struggle or a Small Challenge, You Can’t Get into Flow Stateįlow is a cyclical process of balancing recovery, struggle, and release. However, if you’re experiencing flow state and you’re curious how you can replicate the experience more often or stay in the zone longer, keep reading.
#Flowstate concentrates download#
If you haven’t already, I encourage you to download and fill out the free flow state canvas and create a daily routine that will allow you to get into the zone every day. “How to Create a Routine to Trigger and Maximize Your Flow State of Mind”.“Flow State Canvas: The One Page Plan to Get Into The Flow”.I took a deep dive into how you can achieve a flow state in my articles: In other words, our happiness levels can increase by getting into and staying in Flow more often. He found that not only will flow state boost your productivity 500%, but he also argued in his book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience that, “Flow is fundamental to our wellbeing.”

Mihaly Csikszentmihaly, the grandfather of flow, was one of the first psychologists to identify and research the flow state. If you’re interested in building this skill, then it’s time for you to cultivate flow, a period of time where you’re completely absorbed in the task at hand. Getting into flow state to increase your productivity, creativity, and fulfillment. What’s the ultimate business skill for 2020?
