They discuss achieving flow through passion and purpose, managing self-expectations, microflow and macro flow. Tips to get into flow more easily and the possibilities of group flow. The importance of struggle, embracing vulnerability, and creating a conducive environment for flow.
Passion and purpose are intrinsic motivators that play a crucial role in achieving ultimate performance.
Learning something new often involves a stage of conscious competency where effort, focus, and persistence are required.
Flow is not a singular experience but rather a spectrum that ranges from microflow to macroflow.
Deep dives
The Power of Flow for Increased Empathy and Expanded Awareness
People come to the Flourishish Collective seeking productivity and performance, but in return, they also experience increased empathy and expanded ecological awareness. Flow states can extend beyond the borders of the self, fostering empathy for others and a connection with the natural world. This expansion of consciousness is reminiscent of spiritual experiences found in various wisdom traditions. Flow can be a catalyst for personal growth and a deep sense of connection beyond the self.
Building Passion and Purpose Slowly
Passion and purpose are intrinsic motivators that play a crucial role in achieving ultimate performance. Passion is born out of curiosity, while purpose involves coupling passion with a desire to contribute to something larger than oneself. Building passion and purpose takes time and is a gradual process. Many people search for passion and purpose, but it is essential to understand that these elements come with their challenges and sacrifices. Passion and purpose bring focus and motivation, but can also be heavy and demanding.
Overcoming Resistance and Embracing the Learning Process
Learning something new often involves a stage of conscious competency where effort, focus, and persistence are required. This stage can be challenging and clunky, but it is a necessary part of the learning process. Struggle is inherent in the path to mastery, and microflow, a lower-grade version of flow, can be experienced during this stage. By embracing the learning process and reframing the experience as play, individuals can navigate through the challenges and find joy in the journey.
The Spectrum of Flow: Microflow to Macroflow
Flow is not a singular experience but rather a spectrum that ranges from microflow to macroflow. Microflow refers to fleeting moments of flow where individuals experience some flow characteristics to a lesser degree. Macroflow, on the other hand, represents deep flow states where all the flow characteristics are amplified. While microflow is more common in daily life, macroflow can lead to profound experiences of optimal performance and even transcendent states of consciousness.
The Four Stages of Flow
Flow consists of four stages: struggle, release, flow, and recovery. The struggle phase involves using conscious thinking and overloading the brain with information. This is followed by the release phase, where the conscious mind transfers the problem to the subconscious mind. Low-grade physical activities like walking or drawing are effective in this phase. The flow phase is a high-energy state that amplifies productivity and creativity. Finally, there is a recovery phase where deep sleep is crucial for long-term memory consolidation.
Practical Tips for Cultivating Flow
To achieve flow, individuals can set up their environment for success. Distraction management is vital, including removing smartphones and emails before focusing. Creating a task-focused mindset rather than ego-focused helps maintain flow. Practicing gratitude, engaging in regular exercise, and seeking social support are also essential. Additionally, dedicating time to engage in primary flow activities regularly can lead to increased flow in everyday life. Finally, group flow can amplify choice, creativity, and performance, making collaboration with others a powerful flow-inducing strategy.
TODAY´S EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE FLOW RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Are you an entrepreneur, a leader, or a knowledge worker, who wants to harness the power of flow so you can get more done in less time with greater ease and accomplish your boldest professional goals faster? If you´ve answered this question with “hell yes” then our peak-performance training Zero to Dangerous may be a good fit for you. If this sounds interesting to you all you need to do is click the link below right now, pop in your application and one of our team members will be in touch with you very soon.https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/zero-to-dangerous/overview
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Steven Kotler is a bestselling author, a renowned journalist who has won many awards, the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective, and a peak human performance expert. He is joined by André Duqum, the host of the Know Thyself podcast, which is dedicated to helping people on their spiritual journey, reducing human suffering, and offering practical advice for living a free and fulfilling life.
In this episode, they discuss how to achieve flow. They talk about how passion and purpose can guide us to flow, how to manage self-expectations and the difference between microflow and macro flow. Steven also shares some helpful tips to get into flow more easily and the possibilities of group flow, where teams can work together in harmony and creativity. He also shares his opinion on how the mystical macro flow happens. Tune in now and learn new insights about the elusive flow state.
ABOUT THE EPISODE:
In this episode, you will learn about:
(00:00) Intro
(03:25) Flow and Meditative State
(08:38) Defining Flow State
(10:12) Effective Ways of Triggering Flow
(18:22) Achieve Flow Through Passion and Purpose
(26:32) Passion and Purpose Misconceptions
(33:23) When Work Turns to Play
(36:56) Grit is a Recipe For Burnout
(40:26) Flow Starts With Struggle
(44:01) Managing Self-Expectations
(51:17) Microflow vs. Macro Flow
(57:11) Four Stages of Flow
(59:35) Helpful Tips to Get Into Flow
(01:08:11) Positive Psychology Basics
(01:15:27) Group Flow Possibilities
(01:18:36) How Macro Flow Happens
RESOURCES
Website: https://bio.site/andreduqum
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andreduqum?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreduqum/?hl=en
Podcast: https://www.knowthyself.one/
Flow Research Collective’s Social Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flowresearchcollective
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flowresearchcollective
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowresearchcollective
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@achieveflow
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RiseofSuperman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thefrc_official
Website: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flow-research-collective-radio/id1520229508Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RQY0d5rdlEiinHEtfWy6A
Steven Kotler, the founder and executive director of the Flow Research Collective, is one of the world’s leading experts on human peak performance. He is an award-winning journalist and an author with over ten bestselling books.
Some of his works include: The Art of Impossible, The Future is Faster Than You Think, The Rise of Superman, Stealing Fire, and so much more! Look out for his latest upcoming book, Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad, where he debunks the old myths about aging and how you can boost your longevity through flow!
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