How to achieve ‘Flow in Sports’ – Review of this Classic Mindset Book
Finding out how to achieve the mental state of flow in sports is the question I sought to answer 2 months ago to the day. On that day I received my copy of Flow in Sports: The keys to optimal experiences and performances by Susan A. Jackson and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
As I started the book, I expected a step by step how to guide showing athletes how to reach the flow state. However, now that I have finished this book I realize that this was a mistake. Anyone who claims to have a step by step guide for reaching flow in sports is being disingenuous.
What Does it Mean to Have Flow in Sports
Flow is not something that has one simple definition. It is more of a state of mind unique to the individual that lifts an experience from “ordinary to the optimal”. Flow doesn’t imply winning or any other outcome, however successful outcomes are likely when in the flow state. In effect, flow is best described as a psychological state when you feel acutely present in a special moment where everything just clicks.
As suggested by the authors, finding flow in sports is not about following generic steps. Instead, it’s about understanding the dimensions of flow that are under your control and taking steps to control them.
Overall, the authors present nine dimensions for flow in sports:
- Challenge-skills balance
- Action-awareness merging
- Clear goals
- Unambiguous feedback
- Concentration on the task at hand
- Sense of control
- Loss of self-consciousness
- Transformation of time
- Autotelic experience
Of these nine dimensions, only four are completely within the control of the athlete.
- Clear Goals
- Unambiguous feedback
- Concentration on the tasks at hand
- Sense of control
Therefore, it would be wise for athletes seeking flow to focus mostly on developing their skills in these four dimensions. Then, only concern themselves with being aware of the other five dimensions.
With that said, I believe the book Flow in Sports is required reading for all athletes and coaches who aspire to get the most out of sports. You literally can’t go more than 2 or 3 pages in this book without stopping to highlight critical nuggets of wisdom or ponder an “ah-ha” moment.