Episode 23 - Flow

Let's dive into the flow state! We spend a lot of time talking about the academic and technical side of cyber security and we needed a break. There's a method to how we've been able to build our apps and grow Outpost and we wanted to talk about that this episode. Maybe it will help you tackle the obstacles and projects in front of you. 

Notes

What is “Flow” and where did it come from 

1. MEE-hy CHEEK-sent-mee-HAH-yee  

2. Psychologist at University of Chicago – work on the concept Flow began in the 70s 

3. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience – Book published in 1990 

4. Colloquially as being in the zone, is the mental state in which a person performing some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is characterized by the complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting transformation in one's sense of time.[1] Flow is the melting together of action and consciousness; the state of finding a balance between a skill and how challenging that task is. It requires a high level of concentration. 

   What are the elements of Flow 

   The Art of Impossible – Stephen Coulter (2021) 

   Neuroscience of Flow / using data from FMRI scans 

   Flow “cycle” has 4 parts 

   1. Struggle - Optimal performance begins in maximum frustration. While flow is an incredible high, it can start with a deep low. Welcome to struggle—the first stage in the flow cycle. 

   2. Release - release, we want to relax and let go. The goal is to take your mind off the problem. This allows us to pass information processing responsibilities from the conscious to the unconscious. Executive attention disengages and the default mode network takes over. Release is an incubation period. It’s about allowing the brain’s pattern recognition system to chew on the problem for a while—while you do other things. 

   3. Flow – states of flow that you remember / enjoy? 

   4. Recovery - Flow is a high-energy state. But what goes up must come down. This is why, on the back end of flow, there’s a recovery phase. we’re recharging our batteries. The neurochemicals used in flow are expensive for the brain to produce. It can take a little while to fill those tanks again.  

      1. Nutrition, sunlight, sleep 

      2. NOT TV and drinks 

      3. Active recovery (which is work too) - mindfulness, saunas, stretching, Epsom salt baths, massage, ice baths