139. Flow State: How to Sink In, Pay Attention, and Increase Focus by Tapping into Uncertainty

Summary

In this episode of 'Think Fast, Talk Smart' podcast, host Matt Abrahams discusses the concept of 'flow' with David Melnikoff, an assistant professor at Stanford GSB. Melnikoff explains that flow is a state of deep immersion in an activity, which can enhance performance and well-being. Contrary to common advice, he suggests that flow isn't about finding the 'Goldilocks zone' of challenge but rather engaging in activities that reduce uncertainty about the future. The conversation explores how to cultivate flow in personal and professional settings, emphasizing the importance of trustworthiness, clarity, and specificity in communication to facilitate flow.

Takeaways

• 🌀 The concept of 'flow' is described as a state of complete immersion and engagement in an activity, where one is so absorbed that they lose track of time and external surroundings.
• 🎯 Flow is often associated with improved performance in the task at hand and has positive effects on mental health and well-being, contributing to overall happiness.
• 🔄 Contrary to common advice, the key to achieving flow may not be an optimal level of challenge but rather engaging in activities that reduce uncertainty about the future.
• 🎰 The example of a slot machine illustrates how even simple activities can induce flow by drastically reducing uncertainty about possible outcomes after an action is taken.
• 🤔 The speaker's research challenges the idea that moderate levels of challenge are necessary for flow, suggesting that the elimination of possible futures is more crucial.
• 💡 To cultivate flow, one should seek activities or goal framings that maximize uncertainty, providing ample opportunity for uncertainty reduction through action.
• 🏆 In a business context, setting goals with varying levels of outcomes can increase uncertainty and, consequently, the potential for flow among participants.
• 🤝 Effective communication can contribute to flow by reducing uncertainty through trustworthiness, clarity, and specificity.
• 🤓 The speaker personally uses a simple but uncertain activity—throwing markers into a recycling bin—to reset and refocus the mind, highlighting the practical application of flow in daily life.
• 🗣️ The importance of trustworthiness in communication is emphasized, as it is essential for reducing uncertainty and fostering flow during conversations.
• 🎓 The speaker admires Laurie Santos for her ability to communicate complex psychological concepts clearly and trustworthily to the public.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'flow' as discussed in the podcast?

Flow is a state of being completely immersed and engaged in an activity to the point where one loses track of time and is not consciously exerting effort to continue. It's often associated with activities that one finds enjoyable or fulfilling.

What are the benefits of experiencing flow according to the podcast?

Experiencing flow can lead to better performance in the task at hand and also has positive effects on mental health and well-being. People who experience more flow tend to be happier in their daily lives.

What is the traditional advice on how to achieve flow, and why does the guest's research suggest it might be incorrect?

Traditional advice suggests that achieving flow requires an optimal level of challenge — not too difficult to be frustrating, but not too easy to be boring. However, the guest's research indicates that this is not the case, as even simple activities like playing slot machines can induce flow due to the reduction of uncertainty.

How does the guest's research redefine the source of flow?

The guest's research suggests that the source of flow is not an optimal level of challenge but rather engaging in an activity that reduces uncertainty about the future, ideally eliminating all possible future outcomes except for one.

Can you provide an example from the podcast of how uncertainty reduction can induce flow?

An example given in the podcast is playing a slot machine. Before pulling the lever, there are many possible financial outcomes, creating uncertainty. Once the lever is pulled and the symbols appear, the uncertainty is eliminated, reducing many possible futures to one, which can induce a flow state.

How can the principles of flow be applied in a business context, such as in running meetings or setting goals?

In a business context, the principles of flow can be applied by considering the amount of uncertainty associated with the goals assigned to individuals. Framing goals in a way that reduces uncertainty can help induce flow, leading to better performance and engagement.

What is the counterintuitive advice given in the podcast regarding the management of uncertainty in goal setting?

The counterintuitive advice is to leverage uncertainty rather than eliminate it. Instead of setting goals that are easily attainable and have no uncertainty about their achievement, it's suggested to find a balance where there is some uncertainty about the outcome, which can motivate individuals to work towards reducing that uncertainty.

How does the guest recommend using streaks as a tool to induce flow, and when might it be more effective than other goal framing methods?

Streaks can be a potent source of flow when the activity is something the individual is already good at, as the length of the streak is uncertain. However, for those who are not as skilled, focusing on the fewest number of misses before the first success might be more effective, as this outcome is more uncertain.

What role does communication play in inducing a flow state, and what are the key components of effective communication in this context?

Communication plays a significant role in inducing flow by reducing uncertainty associated with a goal or task. The key components of effective communication in this context are trustworthiness, clarity, and specificity, which help in reducing uncertainty and thus promoting flow.

How does the guest suggest using the concept of uncertainty in communication to enhance flow?

The guest suggests that by providing feedback or information that reduces uncertainty, one can enhance flow during communication. This involves being trustworthy, clear, and specific in the communication to ensure that the recipient can reduce their uncertainty about the topic being discussed.

What is the guest's personal method for entering a flow state when facing a mental rut or needing a mental reset?

The guest shares a personal method of throwing markers into a recycling bin to achieve a flow state. This simple yet challenging activity allows him to focus and achieve a mental reset, which can then help him return to his writing with a fresh perspective.

What communicator does the guest admire and why, as mentioned in the podcast?

The guest admires Laurie Santos for her ability to communicate clearly, compellingly, and with trustworthiness. Laurie Santos is a professor of psychology at Yale and the host of The Happiness Lab podcast, known for her accurate and evidence-based communication.

What are the first three ingredients that go into a successful communication recipe, according to the guest?

According to the guest, the first three ingredients for successful communication are trustworthiness, clarity, and specificity. These elements are essential for effective communication that can lead to a flow state.