Flow states distort the perception of time and create a sense of being fully immersed in the present moment.
Flow states release neurochemicals that enhance feelings of well-being and performance, including motivation, creativity, and resilience.
Pattern recognition is crucial in flow, enabling better decision-making, problem-solving, creativity, and wisdom growth.
Deep dives
The Power of Flow and Time Perception
Flow states can distort the perception of time. When in flow, the brain shuts down parts of the prefrontal cortex, blurring the boundaries between past, present, and future. This creates a sense of being fully immersed in the present moment, stretching out time. The presence of dopamine in the system also affects time perception, with more dopamine making time feel faster and its absence slowing it down.
Neurochemicals and Feel-Good Performance
Flow states are associated with the release of neurochemicals that enhance feelings of well-being and performance. The quintet of neurochemicals involved in flow include norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphins, serotonin, and anandamide. These chemicals create a powerful cocktail that boosts motivation, creativity, resilience, and overall life satisfaction.
Pattern Recognition and Wisdom
Pattern recognition plays a crucial role in flow and is fundamental to human performance. When in flow, the brain exhibits heightened pattern recognition, allowing for better decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity. Pattern recognition also plays a role in wisdom, which grows over time through ongoing learning and the ability to outlearn the competition.
The Link Between Flow and Ultimate Human Performance
Flow is a key factor in achieving ultimate human performance. Athletes who have better access to flow outperform their peers. Flow unlocks untapped human potential, allowing individuals to push their skills to the utmost and consistently tackle extraordinary challenges. Accessing flow is within everyone's reach and can lead to significant improvements in performance and well-being.
The Flow Blockers and the Path to Peak Performance
There are common obstacles, or flow blockers, that prevent individuals from accessing flow on a regular basis. By identifying and addressing these blockers, such as distraction, lack of challenge, or fear of failure, individuals can remove the barriers to peak performance and experience more flow in their lives.
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 of interest to you all you need to do is click here right now, pop in your application and one of our team members will be in touch with you very soon.
ABOUT THE GUEST:
STEVEN KOTLER is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and Founder and Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective. He is one of the world’s leading experts on human performance.
His books include The Art of Impossible, Stealing Fire, and The Rise of Superman. His work has been translated into over 40 languages and appeared in over 100 publications, including the New York Times Magazine, Wall Street Journal, TIME, Wired, Atlantic Monthly, The Harvard Business Review and Forbes.
ABOUT THE EPISODE:
In this episode, you will learn about:
Intro (0:00)
The Secret To High Performance (3:32)
The Benefits of Flow (14:41)
Neurodynamics of Flow (24:15)
The 10% Brain Myth (34:39)
Time Dilation During Flow (37:17)
Pattern Recognition (40:39)
Neurochemical Involved In Flow (42:55)
Extraordinary Starts With Ordinary (47:39)
RESOURCES
Twitter: https://twitter.com/steven_kotler?lang=en
Website: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowresearchcollective/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Superman-Decoding-Ultimate-Performance-ebook/dp/B00BW54XVO
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