Q: Have you ever gotten so lost in something you love that you looked up and hours had passed?
A: That’s a flow state. And it’s wonderful. But here’s the thing — you don’t need it to succeed.
Flow is one of those experiences that’s hard to describe but instantly recognizable. You’re so absorbed in what you’re doing that the rest of the world disappears. Time stops. It’s the very best kind of lost.
Sports psychologists say that flow is one of the most marvelous states for peak performance. And they’re right.
But here is what doesn’t get said enough: flow is not a requirement. You don’t need to find intrinsic joy and a perfect flow state in order to reach your goals. Waiting for flow before you get to work is a fast track to not getting much done.
The goal is not to chase flow. The goal is to stay connected to what you’re working towards — and sometimes, if you’re lucky, flow shows up on its own.
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