The Flow State
Notes/thoughts about the flow state
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https://teuxdeux.com/blog/flow-theory-a-deeper-dive-into-flow-states
Going to sleep and entering the flow state is exactly to sleep. You can’t just do it
Autotelic personalities are more likely to enter flow
You need to strike a perfect balance between skill and difficulty. Too much of one thing won’t allow you to enter the flow state. If a problem is too hard then you’ll become anxious- if you are too skilled you’ll become bored. If both are true apathy occurs.
This concept is called “eustress”
This is true in a lot of my everyday life and activities.
Gaming is a big catalyst for my flow state.
While I feel confident in my abilities and can hold my own - there is always somebody that is going to be better than me
Games aren’t fun when
- gameplay loop becomes predictable
- Gameplay feels unfair
- Gameplay has an annoying bug or feels clunky. (This will take you out of the flow state)
In my experience games are at their best when they facilitate a flow state. This is why apex is one of my favorite games and I keep coming back. Fighting and the end zoned are some of the best flow states that you can enter.
Even cozy games like stardew valley while don’t have the chaos of apex end zones it is still east to get lost- and in the flow of completing task
And getting lost in the world
One of the greatest things about this is I play apex with my friend Colin. we started playing g the first day it came out in 2019. The goal is still the exact same as it was then as it is today. And it’ll never change. Get good. Win games. Engage in flowing conversations.(toxic masculinity???)
This is also why gaming is addictive. It provides the positive feedback loop and flow states that are needed for happiness in completing task. many jobs fail at providing a flow state to their employees. Which I believe is fundamental for happiness.
https://www.aidanhelfant.com/how-to-gamify-your-life-to-enter-flow-more-consistently/
http://thegamedesignforum.com/features/acceleration_flow_1.html
(gamification is a huge topic)
(Casinos have already been understanding of this psychology. by having players enter trance like states)
How can jobs facilitate flow states?
- less micromanaging and freedom
- Some kind of instructions
- Proper training
- Good leadership
- Good work culture
- Minimize distractions (follows same through process as previously mention notes) this can be physical distractions or
- Minimize meeting - useless storyboarding on tickets
- Minimize multi-tasking
- Organize all necessary files(needed documents) in one place to prevent searching
The goal is more flow less burnout
Is flows rate bad??? Addictive??
https://www.theinertia.com/surf/flow-states-part-4-the-darkside-of-flow/