How to enter ‘flow state’ on command | Steven Kotler for Big Think

Flow is a state of "effortless effort" characterized by total absorption, distorted time perception, and heightened intuition. Author and researcher Steven Kotler explains that this optimal state of consciousness occurs when a task's challenge slightly exceeds an individual’s skill set, requiring a balance of "stretching but not snapping." Achieving flow depends on specific triggers, most notably 90 to 120 minutes of uninterrupted concentration aligned with one's personal biological peak. Neurochemically, flow is driven by dopamine-inducing factors like novelty, risk-taking, and pattern recognition. These elements integrate with a sequence of five intrinsic motivators: curiosity, passion, purpose, autonomy, and mastery. Ultimately, flow serves as a universal human capability that amplifies results beyond expectation, functioning as the engine for peak performance and significantly increasing overall life satisfaction and well-being.