Have you ever been so absorbed in something that you forgot to eat, didn’t check your phone (which kind of is a good thing right?), and didn’t even notice the time flying by?
You weren’t bored. You weren’t overwhelmed. You were just in it.
But that, my friend, is Flow.
When was the last time I experienced “flow”? Well, for the past 3 days, I was building the website and assessment tools, and it’s 2 am, and I’m still in it. I’m inspired to pen this post. I’m in a state of flow.
In this 3-part series, I’m going to share with you about Flow, and how Flow is relevant in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and Ikigai. 😎
What is flow?
Flow is a mental state where you’re fully absorbed in what you’re doing; energised, focused, and completely in the moment. You’re not pushing yourself with effort; you’re gliding with it. It’s that sweet spot where your skills are being challenged just enough to keep you hooked, and the activity itself offers constant, natural feedback.
The term was coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (say it with me: cheek-sent-me-high – legendary name, legendary insights).
Through his research, he found that people from all walks of life; whether they were surgeons, surfers, or chess grandmasters, described the same experience when they were at their best: a state of deep concentration, joy, and a total loss of time awareness. He named this state Flow.
What Flow Feels Like
When you’re in Flow:
- Time either flies or disappears
- You’re fully focused – no space for overthinking
- The task feels challenging, but not overwhelming
- You feel in control, yet you’re not trying to control
- You forget yourself… and become the activity
Sound familiar? Good. You’ve been there. I love that!
Now the million-dollar question: how do you get back?
Flow isn’t just a “nice feeling.” It’s powerful. Csikszentmihalyi believed Flow is one of the most reliable indicators of a meaningful life.
The 8 Elements of Flow according to Csikszentmihalyi
- A Clear Goal – You know what you’re trying to do.
- Immediate Feedback – You can tell if you’re doing it right.
- Balance Between Challenge and Skill – Not too easy, not too hard.
- Deep Concentration – You’re completely focused.
- A Sense of Control – You feel capable and confident.
- Loss of Self-Consciousness – You stop worrying about how you look or sound.
- Time Distortion – An hour feels like five minutes.
- The Activity Becomes Autotelic – Fancy word meaning: it’s worth doing for its own sake.
When these elements align – Boom. Flow state activated.
Why Flow Is More Than Just Fun
Here’s what Flow can do:
- Increase creativity
- Enhance learning
- Reduce anxiety
- Build resilience
- Create a sense of purpose
Basically, Flow is the gateway to your best self. 💪
Where Can You Find Flow?
Flow doesn’t only live in hikes or yoga classes. You can find it in:
- Writing, painting, playing music
- Solving a challenging puzzle
- Playing sports or dancing
- Even cleaning (yes, really)
- Simply an activity that you do
It’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about how deeply you’re doing it. 💡
Quick Reflection
- Think about the last time you lost yourself in an activity.
- What were you doing?
- What made time disappear?
- What does that say about what energises you?
Those moments? They’re not random. They’re clues. Flow is your brain whispering, “Hey… this matters.” I would love to hear from you, just email me at david@saltnpepper.sg.
One more thing
In Part 2, we’ll explore how Flow “flows” in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®.
Spoiler: it’s not just about bricks + it’s about brains.
Until then, pay attention to your Flow moments. They’re guiding you somewhere meaningful.