Do you know what 'flow-state' means?

Question

I'm creating a product and using 'Flow State' in the title.
In your opinion are the 'flow-state' and 'focus' just different words for the same thing.

Did you know the difference (before googling it 😆)

Shivam Thiagarajan · Accepted Answer

In my opinion, flow state and focus differ in the fact that focus is the result of constant effort, while flow state - while requiring conscious cultivation to get started - is a more natural state of being.

MaheshVarma Kanumuri · Answer

@shivam_thiagarajan True

Murali Gottumukkala · Answer

@shivam_thiagarajan Nice one Shivam

Durga Prasad Raju Nadimpalli · Answer

@shivam_thiagarajan good opinion

Mitchell Orme · Answer

I would say that its a well-established term, especially on platforms like Youtube and Medium, where achieving the 'flow state' has multiple articles, or binaural beats music videos to help achieve the flow state.

I would align flow state with more something that you're actively involved in that you want to be doing or have greater direction with. You can be focused on a book, or task, but when you're in the flow state, it barely requireses conscious thought

Ana Bibikova · Answer

That sounds like fun! Though you've broken some basic rules with the questioning here:) 
"Did you know the difference (before googling it)" implies that there's a difference.

I'd love to follow your journey and see the results of this experiment! You're focusing on users who know the difference, and those who get curious and seek the search engine's help. Just imagine the possibilities for retargeting! :) Could start the whole new trend in marketing

David J. Kim · Answer

This is kind of cheating, but I read the book a while back before knowing about the term in business. I do recommend reading the actual book, as Mihaly believes "flow" is moreso an exploration of happiness vs raw productivity. (Though Flow states do lead to more productivity).

Mitchell Orme · Answer

@emotf All the best with that! Happily signed up :)

Mitchell Orme · Answer

@emotf Keen to see the product you create! Do let me know when you launch :)

Dafni Chontou · Answer

Yes! Flow state for me is when I forget what time it is and can go on for hours. It happens mostly when I'm building stuff, prototyping on Figma, or playing the piano.

Focus time is when I really need to focus on one thing. Might be also stuff that I don't particularly enjoy: certain emails, taxes.

T0ha · Answer

Hi Natan,
Yes, I know what flow state is. It's when you sabotage most of your reality in favor of something you are mad about. It's not the same as focus, it's like overfocus. But it's fantastic and like a drug. It's when you can't help going out of the project even when sleeping in a good way.

Nathan Challen · Answer

@mitchell_orme great feedback! I wondered if that was just my lens of the world or others too.

Nathan Challen · Answer

ah ha! love your comment and your thinking @anab!  I just wish I was the genius who invented it or coined the term 'flow'. However, 'the DayNinja method' is what I call my method to activate the flow-state.  If you google that or combinations of the words you'll get just me 😎.

Nathan Challen · Answer

Thanks @mitchell_orme!  I've created a ship page so feel free to sign up.  I'll be dripping productivity tips and content to subscribers along the way.  I'm a coder but this is tricky because the method I've devised has to be coached.  I tried an app, also a coaching bot...  but I'm resorting to making my first ever digital course.  Just getting over the nerves of talking on camera! 😅
https://www.producthunt.com/upcoming/flow-state-on-demand-the-dayninja-method

James Karefylakis · Answer

The one interesting fact I heard about flow state was on the huberman lab podcast. He mentioned that the flow state involves using skills you already know with ease as opposed to learning brand new things which will usually involve some discomfort and making mistakes, then triggering your brain to adapt and correct itself. I thought this was quite interesting

Do you know what 'flow-state' means?

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