Finding Flow is Essential: How to Know You’re Happy

Scientists say we enter a state of “flow” when we are fully absorbed in something we’re doing. Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi , a positive psychologist first came up with the term flow in the 1970s. His definition: “the mental state where we are so immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity that we lose sense of space and time.” It’s important we all find flow often because when we do, many believe we are experiencing the essence of true happiness.

What Is Flow?

Activities that help us find flow must satisfy our need for a challenge, while at the same time not overtax us. We are more likely to find flow when we enter into an activity with a set goal.

For example, athletes often achieve flow when they are practicing a sport they excel at, especially when they are seeking to improve their personal best.

Alternatively, we can find flow when we stretch our minds, solve a puzzle, or complete a hands-on project that employs skills we have, but takes them to a new level.

Flow is about ‘balancing mastery and challenge” and often involves pushing ourselves a bit out of our comfort zone.

Ironically, another expression that captures flow is to say we’re “in the zone”. Another way to tell we’ve achieved flow is when we don’t notice time passing: “time flies”.

How Often Do You Find Flow?

Finding flow is a good thing. When we’re in this blissful state, we’re less likely to feel stress. In fact, it’s often described as the true essence of happiness.

We can figure out ways to find flow more often by thinking about what we enjoy doing.

But for many adults, that can be difficult. Too many years of “nose to the grindstone”, dashing from carpools to office to chores. Meeting needs of those around us instead of our own.

All these things can make it hard to remember what it is that we even like to do (other than sleep).

But it’s important that we do remember. Because doing things we enjoy, and having fun, are closely connected to finding flow.

And finding it is closely related to what we often describe as happiness.

When was the last time you lost track of time? This is a good sign that you were in a state of “flow”.

Whatever you were doing should be at the top of your ‘go to’ list for when you feel out of sorts.

It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? That you might actually have time to do something just because it makes you happy?

But it is so critical. Here’s why.

Why Is It Important?

When we are absorbed so deeply that we don’t notice time passing – this is when we experience the essence of happiness.

We’re not spending one iota of energy on self-absorption or self-flagellation.

The “negative self-talk” voice is nowhere to be found.

We’re completely involved in what we’re doing, we know what we need to do and how to do it, and we know it’s doable. Our worries and concerns fade, and there is no background soundtrack going on.

Re-discovering activities that we truly love is important.

When we do things that come naturally and are effortless, we are likely using our gifts, or we may be satisfying an unmet need.

If this isn’t enough to make it worthwhile, scientists have also shown that achieving the “state of flow” has many positive side effects.

These include higher productivity, better health, and yes, happiness.

I think we all must have a different minimum daily requirement for “flow”. But I think we all have one thing in common.  If we go too long without it, we forget how to get outside our heads. And we forget how to dive deeply into anything.

How To Find Flow

What we do to achieve this blissful state will vary. We can do a crossword, garden, read, work with wood, play an instrument, write a blog (smile). We can become absorbed in what we love at work, at home, during a fun or recreational activity, volunteering, listening to music, you name it.

It’s key, though, that the activity we immerse ourselves in is something we truly love to do.

We must also find the right balance between something challenging and rewarding.

We also increase the odds of becoming fully absorbed in something we enjoy when we set goals.

And setting goals helps enable us to focus on the task at hand with minimal distractions.

Once we are totally absorbed, we don’t notice time passing.

Because that’s when we stop thinking about ourselves. These are the times. We’re in it. We’ve done it. We’ve found it.

And we emerge refreshed and energized. So, what can you do to increase your chances of finding flow?

Take notice the next time you find flow.

What are you doing?  How can you get more of it in your life?

Oh look – it’s getting late. How time has flown!

Please comment and share what activities engage you. You may give someone else a great idea.

Thank you as always for reading.

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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a private sector corporate executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant and coach. The common thread through her professional life has been a commitment to compassionate leadership, including leading and mentoring current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach articles are backed by research and include facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.