“We shape our life by deciding to pay attention to it.
It is the direction of our attention and its intensity
That determines what we accomplish and how well.”
-Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian American psychologist, recognized and named the concept of flow, a highly focused state conducive to productivity, performance, and wellness. Flow is a mental state of supreme awareness in which athletes of all sports perform at peak potential, fully dedicated in energized focus, whether catching a ball, a wave, or some air on a mountain bike. Attention is absorbed into the present moment, with the brain only processing sensory information (thoughts, feelings, sounds and images) that helps execute the action at hand optimally. Conversely, any sensory input that is counterproductive to the task is blocked from the mind to attain a sense of being in the “zone” or “groove”.
Flow is the intangible, seductive feeling of transcendence that pulls you in to awaken in the present moment. In this heightened state of awareness, you have complete control of your body even when making a split-second correction to your trajectory of movement: dodging an opponent, mountain biking, or snowboarding. A oneness with movement is experienced, when actions are effortless and spontaneous, with a profound sense of control, like a runner’s high that fuels you to the Ironman finish line, or a natural high from surfing in the ocean. This empowered, invincible feeling is the endorphin-fueled sacred ground of awe and euphoria. It’s the reason we keep riding, meditating, and going back to Mother Nature’s playground to catch it again!
Achieving a flow state not only improves athletic performance, but has a tremendous positive impact on your life, health, and productivity. When in the flow, the neurotransmitter dopamine is released to make you relaxed, optimistic, energized, and immersed in the task at hand. Our physical, mental, and emotional well-being is directly linked with our dopamine levels, bringing meaning and joy to all experiences to keep us growing and cruising on a collective journey in the sweet spot of the universe.