Use The State of FLOW To Take Your Mental Game To The Max!
What are the benefits of a flow state?
In his book "Flow, the psychology of optimal experience", Mihaly Csikszentmihyallyi describes benefits of flow that include:
- personal growth
- improved energy
- enormously heightened productivity
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a much enhanced capability for enjoyment and happiness
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reduction of self consciousness, stress, worry and anxiety
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a sense of one's life being more worthwhile
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better use of time, extended periods of happiness.
Other than that, learning how to use a flow state isn't very useful!
The 7 keys that will put your game on a new level are:
1. The Flow State - The secret of consistency - this page
2. Advanced visualization techniques
3. Programming your subconscious mind
4. Mental game, pre-game and contest preparation
5. Using self hypnosis, and suggestions
6. Practice and triggering your Optimum Bowling Zone
7. Acquiring the concentration of a champion - in Mental Game Course
Part 1 - The Flow State
How to enter the extraordinary, super-productive, super enjoyable state called "flow"!
By Alexander Van Buren
Want to be so involved in what you're doing that time just flies by? Would you like to eliminate stress and yet be super-productive? Most importantly, would you like to take your concentration and mental game of bowling to the max? If your answer is yes, then creating a personal Flow State is for you!
The following distinctions are based on the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and his book "flow".
What is a "flow" state?
Flow is a unique neuro-physiological state the results in extended periods of heightened concentration and deep enjoyment. It is a state of concentration that is so focused, it results in absolute absorption in an activity.
How to Enter a Flow State
Here are the 6 steps that cause a person to enter the state called "flow". I suggest that you pick one specific goal or subject to practice your state of flow on. Go through this list of 6 steps while doing the activity, adding first one, then another until you are doing all six steps for an extended period of time.
1. Set a goal and several sub-goals.
Be sure to pick something that allows you to exercise a sense of control over your actions and provides immediate feedback. A challenging activity that requires skill is ideal. The sub-goals should give you a sense of discovery as you pursue them.
2. Determine how you will measure progress at the sub-goals.
Make certain you can measure your progress in minute ways...and at every step along the way. Use the feedback of the experience to know how you are doing. Enjoy the feeling that comes from making progress in small ways
3. Keep concentrating on what you're doing.
Without any challenge, attention tends to wonder. Practice directing your attention to the subject (outside-directed, "attention to other") for longer and longer periods of time. Each time your attention wonders, gently bring it back to the subject or another aspect of your subject.
4. Make finer and finer distinctions.
About the subject or the challenge your are undergoing. Notice more and more subtle differences and distinctions in what you're doing. Become attentive to the details of your experience.
5. Develop the skills involved.
Ongoing skill building is part of the flow state. Skill building causes a feeling of excitement at getting better and better. What are the skills related to your goal? How will you get better? How will you know you're getting better?
6. Keep raising the level of what you are striving for, especially when the activity becomes boring.
It is the challenge of an opportunity that causes us to concentrate. Cultivate the habit of setting a more challenging goal whenever your subject gets boring or isn't holding your attention. This builds in the element of challenge and will cause you to continually make your subject compelling and interesting.
Good luck as you enjoy your new state of flow!
To share your flow state success, send me an an e-mail at AVanBuren@cox.net. I'll be happy to post your comments.
Sincerely,
Alexander
PS: I'll be adding more and more super-mental-game tips like this flow state in your lessons as the response to the mental game tips and visualization techniques has been very positive. It's pretty obvious that you advanced bowlers love this stuff!
I'm still accepting some subscribers for my FREE online bowling lessons and tips. Please tell a friend or feel free to forward them the form below. Thanks very much in advance. I really enjoy having advanced students who use and apply these techniques.
Also, thank you to some of you competitive bowlers out there for letting me know how well these tips are working in competition.
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