581 - The Science of Flow
Tiny Leaps, Big Changes
Gregg Clunis
4.3 • 920 Ratings
🗓️ 10 August 2020
⏱️ 14 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode, we look at the state of flow, what it is, how it works, and how to take advantage of it.
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Part 1: What is Flow
Definition: An altered state of consciousness in which the mind functions at its peak, time may seem distorted, and a sense of happiness prevails. In such a state the individual feels truly alive and fully attentive to what is being done.
Part 2: What's Going On?
In an article for Psychology Today, Steven Kotler (the same steven kotler) writes:
"during flow, the brain releases an enormous cascade of neurochemistry. Large quantities of norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphins, anandamide, and serotonin flood our system. All are pleasure-inducing, performance-enhancing chemicals with considerable impacts on creativity. Both norepinephrine and dopamine amp up focus, boosting imaginative possibilities by helping us gather more information..."
Part 3: How to Get Into Flow
Let's look at the requirements for flow.
The first requirement would be a degree of skill in the activity. Flow as a state allows for quicker thinking, faster information process, and a more effortless feel. In order for these things to happen though you first need to be good at the task.
Another requirement is a distraction free environment. Some research has been done on this that states that being able to work distraction free for at least 10-15 minutes is required in order for your mind to get into the space that a flow state could be possible.
Optimize your body and mind. Having internal "distractions" like hunger, being tired, stressed...etc will make it harder to reach a state of flow as well.
http://instagram.com/tinyleaps
Resources Used:
https://time.com/56809/the-science-of-peak-human-performance/
https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/flow+state
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-playing-field/201402/flow-states-and-creativity
https://www.stevenkotler.com/book-pages/the-rise-of-super-man
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | In this episode we look at the state of flow, what it is, how it works, and how to take advantage of it. |
| 0:10.0 | Get excited because this is tiny leaves. |
| 0:14.0 | Big change. Welcome to another episode of Tiny Leaps. Big changes where I share simple strategies |
| 0:37.1 | you can use to get more out of your life. My name is Greg Cloenis and in this episode I want to talk about flow. |
| 0:47.0 | Specifically I want to talk about the flow state, break it down and try to figure out what exactly it is, what is going on in the body, what's going on in the brain that causes this experience, |
| 0:58.8 | and I think maybe most importantly how we can actually create the circumstances to get into a state of |
| 1:06.5 | flow because it's one of those things that when it happens to us it feels amazing |
| 1:11.5 | we get so much done we're productive, and we're able to move things along. |
| 1:17.0 | But it doesn't always show up. It's not always there for us. |
| 1:20.3 | And I think if we can better understand what the requirements for |
| 1:23.1 | flow are we can try to create that outcome more often so this should be a |
| 1:29.2 | super good episode now before we jump into the episode today's program is brought to you by |
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| 1:40.9 | performance. You see even with a balanced diet it's difficult to cover |
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| 1:57.0 | Now as you probably know, because I talk a lot about it in these episodes, I've been heavily focused on my nutrition since March and I eat a lot of greens. |
| 2:07.0 | In the time between March and this morning I've lost roughly 20 pounds and in order to do that I had to eat a lot of fiber I had to eat a lot of greens |
| 2:17.5 | even with that though I sometimes feel like I'm not getting all the nutrients I need |
| 2:22.1 | especially if I am traveling that day or if I'm just not going to be at home for some reason. |
| 2:28.8 | Athletic Greens is amazing because it helps me to be confident that I'm getting all the nutrients at the start of my day and when you try |
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... |
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