Flow is something we all crave. It is that elusive, magical state where everything just clicks. Time slips away, sense of self fades, and you’re riding this perfect wave of focus and pure satisfaction. Whether you’re engaging in sport, creating, working, or just get lost in a good conversation.
It’s no wonder we chase it so relentlessly. Once you’ve tasted that feeling, it is impossible not to want more. Extreme sports or high-stakes environments amplify flow, pushing you into a hyper-focused state where instincts and skills align perfectly under pressure.
Back in 2003 I was immersed into a world where flow is experienced all the time. The world of wakeboarding back then was just starting to evolve, everything was new and exciting. Besides, the world was not yet flooded with constant, never ending distractions.
Freedom
Freedom to express yourself through sport, the intensity, the tricks, the crashes, the parties. Then there is novelty. Always trying new tricks, new ways of performing them, grabbing that trick, doing it bigger, better, smoother. That feeling is simply impossible to incorporate into a normal day to day life.
We used to travel all the time, chasing endless summers. Discovering new places and cultures, while hanging out with the coolest like minded people from all over the world. Once you taste this feeling of pure joy, freedom and excitement for almost a decade, how does a person go back to being normal?
Any sports career, especially in the freestyle world eventually starts to crumble. Memories of global travels begin drifting into distance. Injuries start to cripple an athletes mindset, eventually crush their self esteem.
The switch
Emotional pain starts trumping the physical one very soon. Ways of reaching flow states start getting less healthy. The person you think you are is gone, a personality gets torn apart and that is where the real growth starts.
The question arises, who am I without this?
At that point in life, searching for this elusive feeling of freedom, a way to get back into more flow states became my life passion. One of the authors that really changed my perspective on learning and growing is Steven Kotler. His book – The rise of Superman – was introduced to me in the perfect time. Anyone can learn how to access flow states, here are the elements.
Elements of flow
Clear Goals:
Knowing exactly what you’re aiming for provides direction and structure. Goals can be grand, but we need to dissect them into smaller challenges. Specific and immediate, in order to give the brain a roadmap to follow while being on task at hand.
Immediate Feedback
Flow thrives when we can instantly see the results of our actions. Whether it’s the exhilaration after performing a difficult trick in freestyle sports, a writer nailing a sentence, or a businessman closing a deal. Those are the immediate feedbacks that keep us locked in.
Challenge-Skills Balance
The task must be difficult enough to stretch your abilities, but not so hard that it overwhelms you. The idea is that the challenge should be about 4% beyond your current skill level, to optimise engagement without getting pulled into frustration.
Complete Concentration
Flow requires intense focus on the present moment. No past or future exists in flow. Distractions fade away, and the mind is fully absorbed in the task at hand. This happens very naturally in high stakes environments, like an athlete navigating a dangerous descent.
Sense of Control
In flow, you feel a paradoxical blend of effort and ease, as if you’re in command of the situation despite its demands. This is tied to the neurobiology of flow, where stress hormones like adrenaline & norepinephrine sharpen focus, boost confidence.
Time Distortion
Time either speeds up (hours feel like minutes) or slows down (a second stretches out). This is especially vivid in action sports, where athletes perceive split-second decisions as if they’re in slow motion.
Loss of Self-Consciousness
The inner critic, in other words – our prefrontal cortex shuts off, and self-awareness dissolves. This as the brain down regulating the prefrontal cortex, quieting ego and doubt, which is called “transient hypofrontality.”
Intrinsic Motivation
Flow is always its own reward. The activity is performed for our own internal pleasure, rather than for external validation or outcomes. This intrinsic enjoyment fuels sustained engagement, as the process itself becomes deeply fulfilling, regardless of any tangible rewards or recognition.
Bringing Flow into Everyday Life
Steven Kotler, a peak performance expert, explains that flow is a trainable skill we can weave into our daily life. Here’s how we make it happen:
Stack Triggers
Set clear goals, seek instant feedback, and add low-stakes risk (like a deadline). Novelty—like a new route home—sparks focus too.
Balance Challenge and Skill
Push tasks 4% beyond your comfort zone—cook a new recipe, not just toast. Avoid overwhelm by breaking big jobs into chunks.
Cut Distractions
Time-block 90 minutes for deep work, no phone. Craft a “flow-friendly” space with light and calm.
Hack Your Biology
Move daily (a walk counts), tackle big tasks early, and prioritise sleep—flow thrives on energy.
Find Joy
Gamify chores or lean into passions. Focus on the act, not the outcome, to keep it fun.
Ritualise It
Use a cue (music, coffee) and warm up with something easy to slide into flow.
Start small – pick one task, layer triggers, and tweak. Flow can turn mundane moments, like writing or exercising, into peak experiences.
