Life can get really juicy if you know where to look

Explore your flow states, passions, values

Photo Credit: The Washington Post

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the Hungarian American Psychologist best known for recognizing and naming the Flow State, says Flow is more than just having a good time—it’s that moment when everything else fades away, and you’re completely entranced in what you’re doing.

When you’re in Flow, you might even surprise yourself with how easily things happen, like you’re showing up as the best version of you.

But how do you actually set up your life to experience more of that? Let’s explore.

Identifying your Flow States

EXERCISE 1

Think back to a time when you felt totally in the zone. Csikszentmihalyi has a few markers for what Flow feels like, so try this out:

Recall a recent experience where you felt completely absorbed.

Now, ask yourself:

• Were you totally immersed, like everything else just disappeared?

• Did you focus and get really deep into whatever you were doing?

• Was it just the right amount of challenging—not too easy, not frustrating?

• Did you feel relaxed, but still in control?

• Did things seem to happen smoothly, like you didn’t have to force it?

• Did you lose track of time? For instance, maybe, hours went by and you didn’t even notice?

• Did it feel like thinking and doing were just happening at the same time? (love this one)

• Was the activity itself actually enjoyable, not just the end result?

If you responded with a Yes to all of the questions above, you achieved a Flow state!

Identifying your Passions

EXERCISE 2

The notion of exploring our passions can seem too simplified and overused. Silly, almost. It’s actually a profoundly useful journey of discovery, but when we hear that phrase, we tend to dismiss it.

When I think about exploring my passion, it is more about asking myself what is something or someone I intensely and fully believe in? I think the distinction is important. Do you?

Take a look at the Identify Your Passions table below and think about what really lights you up. Reflect on why these Flow moments feel so good to you. What makes them matter? What do you love about them?

Reflection Question:

From the table above, do you spot any patterns about what makes the experience rewarding to you?

Identifying Your Values

EXERCISE 3

How exactly am I defining values?

Your values are what really matter to you in life—they show what’s important and what you want more of.

Your deepest values show up in the way you think, act, and behave every day.

Reflecting on them helps you remember who you are and who you’re meant to be.

Values aren’t about who we think we should be, but who we truly are right now.

How you determine your values?

First off, make sure they are YOURS.

There are lots of tools online to help you figure out your core values. The one below from Personal Values is IMHO especially worth checking out.

You select your top values and then it pits them against each other to really make you prioritize what is most important. A few of my value match ups made me cringe because I didn’t want to choose.

See for yourself (it’s free!):

Personal Values Test

I encourage you to reply here and let me know your results and what you thought of them.

I will also let you know mine if you ask nicely. :)

Becky Gosky, Neuro Shift