How to get into Creative Flow State

What is flow state?

Flow is a state of mind.

It is achieved when artists and creators feel completely engaged in their performance, lose their perception of time, concentrate on the moment (without distraction), and, perform at extremely high levels without engaging their ego or judgement.

Artists and creators are performing effortlessly at peak performance levels.

Levels of performance that cannot be achieved by thinking or effort. 

It’s not trying: it’s simply being — effortlessly. 

You will have experienced it before when you were engrossed in creative pursuits. It doesn’t happen often as we would like. 

It’s about being present. Not overthinking everything. It’s not about adding stuff, it’s about removing it. 

To create your best work you have to do two things:

1. Remove your ego. 

1. Stop thinking and start feeling your creativity 

Trying to sound amazing, or forcing your best work only limits your creativity because you’re overthinking it. 

The more you try and create genius the worse it will be. Creating art is about trusting your creativity and letting it flow naturally. 

Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Author, and Psychologist ( yeah, I can’t pronounce it either) was the first to write about flow

“The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one. Your whole being is involved, and you’re using your skills to the utmost.”

How to get into flow:

1. First, do some square breathing or light meditation to de-clutter your mind
2. Define the goal: What do you want to achieve? 
3. Cut out distractions: Phone and internet switched off
4. Take a deep breath. Let go of your ego. Do not judge anything that comes out. Just trust your creativity to flow
5. Give yourself permission to create rubbish
6. Focus entirely in the task. Nothing else

And just start creating

It’s not going to happen every time. In fact, it may be rare but keep to the above pointers when you’re creating. 

Remember, creativity is like an outside tap. 

You have to release the murky water and silt that has been sitting in the pipes before the glistening pure water flows.

Create rubbish first and the good stuff will follow. 

A bit about me

I help maverick artists and creatives stand out in crowded markets, crush the creative blocks that hold them back, and build engaged audiences

Every creative rebel’s worst enemy?

Creative mediocrity: Being bland. Staying in our lane. Creating in our comfort zone and following the crowds.

The Goal? To create authentic work that matters. Take creative risks, avoid creative burnout, and making a racket in saturated markets.

I’m a former multi-platinum artist manager. Some of my clients sold millions, I got burnt out, and became an artist and creator blogger, coach, and consultant.

I’ve challenged myself to write 50 articles in 50 working days. 15 down, 35 to go.

Find out more information on my website or connect on my LinkedIn

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