Creativity

Finding a State of Flow 

January 23, 2021

By Raphael Farasat

Truffl-flow-branding-drawing

Truffl-flow-branding-drawing

If you have ever found yourself fully immersed in a task with a feeling of energized focus and enjoyment, then you have experienced being in a state of flow.  

Also known as being "in the zone," a flow state is a mental and emotional state of connection in which superfluous thoughts, feelings, and anxieties fall by the wayside making progress seem almost effortless.

 

We all have the capacity to find flow states every day. And being in a state of flow has the power to transform your work and your life. Why? Because while in the zone, you can get more done with less time and less energy. In fact, often, being in a flow state can generate energy while you work, instead of depleting it.

 

As the owner of TRUFFL branding agency, I’ve helped develop and over 100 brands and companies that have generated millions of dollars of funding and sales. 

 

And focusing on doing my work in a flow state has helped me regularly, in a matter of hours, accomplish higher quality work than what several years ago might have taken me months.

 

Now that we’ve talked about how powerful flow states can be, I want to walk through how to get into and utilize flow states.

Truffl-flow-branding-outdoors

Truffl-flow-branding-outdoors


HOW TO GET INTO A FLOW STATE

A. Start by consuming some inspiring content that gives you goosebumps.

You can watch a beautiful nature video, read a well-written birthday card from a loved one, view a favorite movie scene that brings you joy or consume any other content that makes you feel happy, alive, and inspired.  Save content like this so you have options readily available when you need them.

B. Disconnect to reconnect.

I find my best flow states happen first thing in the morning, after having some coffee. I’ve found that disconnecting from social media and emails in this early morning practice helps considerably. Why? Because all of these external influences pull you away from your inner wisdom, intuition, and voice. Simply by committing to putting your phone away and turning off notifications on your computer, you are already one step closer to finding a state of flow. 

Truffl-flow-branding-mood board

Truffl-flow-branding-mood board

Truffl-flow-branding-coffee

Truffl-flow-branding-coffee

Truffl-flow-branding-mountain

Truffl-flow-branding-mountain

Truffl-flow-branding-mood board

Truffl-flow-branding-mood board

C. Free Association Writing

Grab a journal and just start writing about the project you are working on and what it means to you. Don't overthink it and just write, write, write letting the words spill out onto the paper without trying to control the outcome.  Even if it doesn't all make sense at first, just trust the process and continue to let everything out.  Not only might you come up with something powerful, but the simple act of not judging your work will help spark your creativity and inspiration.  

E. Connect to your deeper purpose for the project.

Aside from getting attention, approval from your boss or client, validation, or money, think about the deeper purpose you have for working on this creative project. It is to express yourself? To help others and inspire them? To show your gratitude? Find out what motivates you, and write it down. Let this purpose motivate you during your work.

 

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After this ritual, get started on your project and maintain that same open-mindedness, motivation, and trust, and you will find, more often than not, that you can find yourself in a state of flow that transforms how you have been approaching your work.

 

 

Have you ever found yourself in a state of flow? I'd love to hear from you.  Shoot me a message at Raphael@Truffl.com.  To stay in touch with me and Truffl, subscribe to our newsletter in the footer below!

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