Flow State for Creatives

Have you ever been so in the “zone” and immersed in a task that time just seems to slip away, your focus feels razor sharp and your creativity feels limitless?

The concept of “flow state” was coined by psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihály in 1975. It refers to the optimal state where, under the right conditions, one can become fully immersed in what they are doing. It is often described as “the sweet spot between boredom and stress”, says Neuroscientist Nicole Vignola. In other words, we are challenged enough to not become bored, but we are not too overwhelmed to completely disengage. 

How exactly does flow state help with creativity? When in flow state, we feel a sense of clarity and deep concentration; our sense of self and distractions fade away, so we are able to become our most creative.

Believe it or not, most of our creative break through moments happen when we are in flow state. Whether it’s solving a tricky usability issue, crafting a visual identity that speaks to your audience or nailing a campaign strategy, being in flow state can skyrocket focus, performance and creativity, ultimately making for superior output.

Some of the rationale behind this is because:
 
1. We are able to silence our inner critic when we do this, we are able to explore our ideas fully and holistically without that voice in our head pulling the brakes and breaking momentum.
 
2. We are able to sit with problems longer because we are immersed and enjoying the process. We are not distracted or frustrated, so we are able to explore ideas fully and find better solutions.
 
3. We have intrinsic motivation. We are creating because we want to, not because we have to.

Sounds amazing right? But how can you tap into flow state on demand? Well, here are some tips to slide into “flow state” effortlessly. 

A good environment helps you enter flow because it removes distractions and makes it easier to focus. If your space is quiet, comfortable, and set up for your task, your mind can stay on what you’re doing.

Some of my favourite ways to do this are:

1. Maintaining a clutter free workspace, wearing headphones and listening to lo-fi music. Its instrumental and calming nature helps me focus without distractions. I also silence notifications for a set amount of time.

2. Minimising distractions. Studies have shown that it takes a full 15 minutes to get back to the same level of intense concentration after a distraction.

3. Always set a goal. A clear goal also helps you see your progress, which keeps you motivated. For example, if your goal is to finish a draft of an article or design a homepage layout, your mind can stay on that task without wandering. The clearer the goal, the easier it is to get into the zone and do your best work.

4. Kill the inner critic. For me, this is the most important one to stay in flow. You need to let go of perfectionism and overthinking initially and focus on doing, rather than making everything perfect right away. This keeps your mind clear and your work moving. You can always refine later!
 
To conclude, flow state isn’t just about productivity, it’s a gateway to deeper creativity, more meaningful work, and a sense of personal fulfilment. So whether you’re designing, writing, strategising, or problem-solving, understanding how to access flow state helps you and your team not only build better experiences, but be more creative in the process.