| No matter what it is called, Flow is the perception that you have when your ability level equals your challenges. It is when you get so involved with your activity that we actually get lost in the event. You lose the awareness of time. (It may slow down, or speed up.) You know what you are doing, but you have no thoughts of trying to make yourself perform. There is a sense of control. You enjoy moments of effortless motion and you perceive things almost as if they were a dream. There is no worry of winning or losing, you become part of the event.
When I talk to successful athletes, I find that many of them are able to reach this state and that it tends to help them achieve great performances. By reaching flow (getting into their zone) these athletes perform at a level beyond that of normal expectations.
Most of you can remember such a moment, and it is usually a moment of great success.
How can one reach flow?
There is no one certain way. Flow occurs when you have set the table by doing all of the right things and they all blend together. These things are:
- Frame the event in a positive light. "This is what I like doing. I like to play, no, I love to play and it is time!" (Nothing is going to stop a man or women living his or her dreams.)
- Learn to capture that feeling of nervous excitement. Be a little on edge, but in control. Reframe the word "nervous" and call it "excited."
- Keep a narrow focus on what you want to do.
- Remind yourself of your level of preparedness. You are physically ready. You are an athlete who is properly trained.
- Let it go. Play and have fun.
Factors that prevent or disrupt flow
There are several things that can stop an athlete from entering the flow state. Most of these things center around the athlete starting to actively "think" about things instead of performing in automatic. The most common flow disrupters are:
- Physical problems or mistakes. (Injuries, poor conditioning, fatigue or perceived weaknesses.)
- Poor or inappropriate focus. (Distractions, outside thoughts, interruptions, surprises)
- Negative attitude. (Negative self-talk, doubt, uncertainty)
It just doesn't just happen
Flow doesn't just happen. Your mental and physical state, and the things that happen around you interact to influence its appearance. So, train yourself to set the stage, then hit the mat, field, court, course, or pool with a confident game plan. Drill your responses to predictable situations and be ready for anything.
Flow tends to occur more among athletes who feel that they are prepared. It's probably because an athlete who feels he/she is prepared are not worrying about anything. They can focus on what they want to do and just let go. They can get into that zone of "thinking, but not thinking" where you operate on automatic.
That is where you want to be. When you become comfortable with your plans and have prepared properly, you will be closer to achieving that flow state.
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