Technique 1.186               Understanding and Developing Your Flow Profile

Introduction
Sometimes called 'being in the zone'. It is
"...A mental state in which a person's ability matched an activity, and their attention become so focused on what they are doing that distractions diminish and fade away. In short, those who experience flow, are fully immersed and engaged in an intrinsic rewarding experience, to the point where they feel a deep sense of enjoyment as action and awareness merge......characterised by complete focus, a strong sense of control, distortion of time perception, loss of hubris, and a sense of effortless control...... contributes to thriving and optimal living, positively affects overall well-being, inspires positive human development and personal growth, and increases creativity and productivity......a person is fully focused and absorbed in what he/she is doing, often losing track of time in the process. Individuals who experience flow are so absorbed in an activity that it becomes effortless, fatigue and boredom fade away, and self-conscious thoughts about themselves and their performance are silenced..."
Elaine Houston, 2024
As the flow direction is very personal, ie some people find flow in peaceful, serene surroundings while others in fast-paced, stimulating environments. Also, flow can be experienced in different activities like playing sport, musical instrument, hobbies, etc.
Most people are unaware of what can lead them into a flow state. As a result, you need to develop your own flow profile that is
"..generated through self reflection and can help people understand how they experience flow and detect other flow inducing activities..."
Elaine Houston, 2024
"...flow profile is personalised map of what helps you achieve a flow state..."
Elaine Houston, 2024
In group settings, flow profiles can be used to encourage team building and bonding
"...Through self reflection questions, clients will gain a deeper understanding of how they experience flow and detect other flow-inducing activities in everyday life..."
Elaine Houston, 2024
Flow can be beneficial
"...flow can decrease stress, improve well-being, and create deep enjoyment and satisfaction. Flow can also enhance performance, creativity, originality, and motivation so the task becomes the reward..."
Elaine Houston, 2024
NB Many factors can impact the flow state; circumstances and activities that facilitate flow can change over time, ie not static
Steps in building your flow profile
1. Understanding the flow state (when you experience flow:
"...- You have clear goals and know exactly what you are doing
     - You have complete focus
     - Time speeds up or slows down
     - You experience a deep sense of enjoyment and fulfilment
     - You feel a sense of effortlessness and ease
     - Distractions and self-conscious thoughts disappear
     - You feel a sense of control over what you are doing..."
Elaine Houston, 2024
Some quotes of people experiencing flow
"...- My mind isn't wandering. I am not thinking of something else. I am involved in what I am doing
     - I don't seem to hear anything. The world seen to be cut off from me. Unless aware of myself and my problems
     - My concentration is like breathing; I never think of it. When I start, I shut out the world and am oblivious to my surroundings..."
Elaine Houston, 2024)
2. Identify your optimal flow conditions (many unique conditions will influence your ability to enter a flow state; write your responses to the self-reflection questions below in the template
    2.1 Social Environment
    In which social environments do you most often experience the flow?
    (possible answers: alone, someplace quiet and reflective; in a crowd; with a group of friends
    2.2 Feelings
    How do you feel when you are in the flow state?
    (possible answers: excited, calm, peaceful, happy, focused, energised, etc)
    2.3 Time
    When do you most often find yourself in flow?
    (possible answers: early morning, afternoon, evening, late at night, anytime of the day, etc)
    2.4 Facilitation
    What helps you to get into the flow?
    (possible answers: experiencing pressure, approaching deadlines, creative opportunities, problem-solving, free         schedule, etc
Template for responses/answers (questions in 'general' rows will be answered from question 3 onwards)

An example of completed flow profile

(source: Elaine Houston, 2024) 

3. Identify why you value flow, ie you value flow because.......
    3.1 What are the most important benefits for experiencing flow, ie why do you value flow?
(Possible answers: helps you to solve challenges creatively; that you feel like you are the one with everything that's happening; fuels your highest achievements; helps to thrive in high stress environments, etc)
4.  Identify your flow activities
    4.1 What activities help you enter a flow state?
(Possible answers for flow promoting activities: challenging but not frustrating; have clear goal; provides immediate feedback (like positive feelings), matches your skills, is enjoyable, etc
List of possible facilitating flow activities (not exhaustive, ie feel free to add your own)

(source: Elaine Houston, 2024)

5. Group flow profile (optional step)
Individual flow profiles demonstrate how you experience flow; this can be fed into a group situation by comparing profiles of different team members:
    5.1 What similarities can you see between your individual profiles in the group?
    5.2 How might these similarities help you work better as a team?
    5.3 What differences can you see between team members profiles?
    5.4 What do you find interesting or noteworthy about these differences?
    5.5 H?ow does the flow impact your life?
    5.6 Use 3 words describe your experience of flow?
6. General reflection
    6.1 Describe the ways you found this exercise helpful?
    6.2 What have you learnt this exercise (positives and negatives)?
    6.3 After completing this exercise, what insights that you gain about your optimal flow conditions?
    6.4 How we use these insights in the future?
(main source: Elaine Houston, 2024)