Entering the flow state

Starting out as a copywriter, I remember a mix of excitement and anxiety. I'd landed my first client, thrilled but also terrified of messing up.

I knew I could write, but the pressure of a first client was immense. I meticulously planned everything, from product research to market analysis. I aimed for the perfect first draft, striving for perfection that quickly morphed into procrastination.

My research yielded valuable insights, but excessive planning consumed time. And that "perfect" first draft? Far from it.

Looking back, my mistake was obsessing over the outcome. I craved the perfect draft, forgetting that the "shitty" first draft is crucial for refinement. It's part of the process, and embracing this is key to entering the flow state.

Letting go of the outcome is key for flow

Recently, I faced a deluge of unexpected projects at work. The "corporate" approach would be rigid planning and deadlines. But creativity thrives on freedom.

Inspired by the Taoist concept of purposelessness, I shifted my focus. I worked without fixating on the outcome, simply doing the task. The result? A decent draft, achieved within the flow state.

This counterintuitive approach is often misunderstood in corporate environments. "How can you work without a goal?" colleagues might ask.

Flow state requires transcending your ego, a concept that rarely resonates in the workplace.

The science behind the flow state

The concept of flow state emerged in modern Western science in the early 1970s, thanks to Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi. He defined it as "a state of complete immersion in an activity, where nothing else seems to matter," including the outcome.

Extensive research has explored the pathways to flow. A recent study at Drexel University provides valuable insights.

Researchers at Drexel used EEG to observe the brain activity of jazz musicians with varying levels of skill. They discovered two crucial factors for creative flow:

• Extensive experience: Skilled musicians effortlessly produce melodies due to deep familiarity with their instrument. They are, in essence, at one with it.
• Release of control: "Letting go" allows the intricate neural networks, honed through years of practice, to guide the instrument with minimal conscious effort.

Practice and then forget

Legendary jazz musician Charlie Parker probably summarised this in best way:

"You must learn your instrument. Practice diligently. Then, on stage, forget all that and simply play."

Like any skill, mastering the craft requires dedicated effort. Frustration and setbacks are inevitable, but they are integral to the process. Embrace the journey, and as your skills grow, entering flow will become easier. But remember, release your attachment to the outcome and savour the process.