Accessing Flow State
Flow is the optimal state for human performance. Applying polyvagal informed strategies to improve access to flow facilitates sustainable high performance.
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Flow state is widely acknowledged to be the optimal state for human performance. Within this experience, our focus and concentration are optimized, our ability to perform physical skills is at its best, our decision making is effortless, and our perception of time can be altered. The nature of flow state has been described in a previous article.
While flow may be the optimal performance state, our ability to access it on demand is limited. Most of the best in the world performers describe spending the minority of their time during craft specific performances in flow. As such, enhancing our ability to reach flow state is highly desirable. The focus of this article will be consideration of the polyvagal informed perspective to facilitate accessing flow state.
Before describing specific principles to assist in reaching flow states, it is first important to describe the biological basis of this state. The polyvagal informed perspective of flow state has been described in a previous article. Michael Allison has illustrated the optimal performance state, from the polyvagal informed paradigm, to be a blend between sympathetic and ventral vagal states. Using his framework, it can be appreciated that within this blended state lies flow state. This understanding allows for the recognition that, as humans, we are able to perform at a high level without being in flow, by virtue of accessing the blended performance state described by Michael Allison. Once within this state, we are then able to enter into a flow state. This recognition is important because, while we may not be able to deliberately access flow state, we can leverage our biology to enter the blended state that Michael Allison describes. This creates the necessary circumstance for access to flow state.
Steven Kotler is a preeminent expert and author regarding all aspects of flow state. In his work, he illustrates numerous triggers for accessing flow state. He further categorizes these triggers into environmental, creative, social, and psychological factors. There are several situations and circumstances within each category. When considered from a polyvagal informed paradigm, these same triggers can all be reclassified along the three pathways of internal, external, and relational.
From the perspective provided by Steven Kotler, the strategy is to apply several of the flow triggers to create the circumstances that allow for flow state to emerge. This principle aligns with the polyvagal informed perspective of utilizing mind-based and body-based strategies and tactics to shift towards the blended sympathetic-ventral vagal state which is optimal for human performance. As described previously, flow state lies within this blended state. In order to further illustrate this convergence between Steven Kotler’s framework and the polyvagal informed paradigm, a few of the flow triggers he describes will be considered in further detail.
A commonly discussed flow trigger is the challenge-skills ratio. This refers to the extent to which the task or situation we are encountering matches the skills we possess at the time. To function as a flow trigger, it is preferred for the challenge aspect to be slightly greater than the degree of our skills.
When considered from the polyvagal informed perspective, this scenario can be appreciated to provide a cue of uncertainty by virtue of the recognition that our skillset may not be quite sufficient to meet the demands of the situation. From a ventral vagal state, this cue can lead to mobilization towards a sympathetic state, thereby shifting our biological state towards the preferred blended state for performance. This shift then allows for flow state to be entered.
It should also be noted that if the initial biological state is rooted in sympathetic, a scenario in which the challenge is greater than our available skills may actually lead to a deepening of the sympathetic state, thereby shifting further away from the optimal blended state for performance and flow state. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing the current biological state prior to employing tactics to shift state.
Environmental triggers of flow state include exposure to novel experiences and high consequence situations. Similar to the challenge-skills ratio, these triggers likely function by providing a cue of uncertainty and, perhaps, risk that leads to a shift in biological state towards sympathetic states. Again, this can be advantageous from an initial ventral vagal state but may not be conducive to accessing flow state from a starting point of a sympathetic state.
Social triggers for accessing flow state include familiarity with those around us and blending of egos. When considered from the polyvagal informed perspective, particularly the social engagement system, it can be appreciated that these triggers provide cues of connection and safety. Given this understanding, such scenarios are likely to be of most benefit in accessing flow from a more sympathetic state.
The previous illustrations of flow triggers can be extended to all described flow triggers. As in the examples presented above, when considered from the polyvagal informed perspective, a more in depth understanding of how best to apply each of the triggers can be reached. This is particularly applicable to utilizing the appropriate trigger on the basis of the initial biological state.
By implementing the strategies and tactics of the polyvagal informed toolbox, we are better able to leverage our biology towards promoting sustainable high performance. This capability is attained through an enhanced capacity to shift into the optimal performance state and accessing flow state. To learn more, including about polyvagal informed coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, visit www.darindavidson.com.
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REFERENCES
Allison, M. The Play Zone: A Neurophysiological Approach to our Highest Performance. https://theplayzone.com.
Kotler, S. The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer. New York: HarperCollins; 2021.
Kotler, S. The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance. New York: Hougton Mifflin Harcourt; 2014.