“If people knew how hard I work to gain mastery, it wouldn’t seem wonderful at all.”
– Michaelangelo
The Power of Flow and Focus
The relationship between focus and expertise has been widely emphasized, notably by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his pioneering work on the concept of flow. For Csikszentmihalyi, being in the flow zone involves a heightened state of attention and concentration—a near-total absorption in the task at hand. He described this state as altered, hypnotic, and intensely immersive. In this state, multitasking becomes impossible, as all mental energy is channeled into a singular purpose.
Mental Clarity in Action
Achieving this state of focus requires mental clarity at every step. It starts with a clear understanding of your goals, followed by a purposeful approach to actions, problem-solving, and decision-making. Csikszentmihalyi emphasized that such clarity demands effort and discipline. It is not something easily attained by the mentally or physically unmotivated.
The Balance of Challenge and Competence
Csikszentmihalyi’s flow model hinges on two key axes: challenge and competence. Flow happens when these two are in harmony.
- Too Little Challenge: If a task is too easy, boredom sets in, leading to the drone zone.
- Too Much Challenge: If a task exceeds your competence, it creates anxiety, pushing you into the panic zone.
To remain in the flow zone, there must be a delicate synergy between your skills and the challenge presented. This principle is actively used in Neuro-Semantics through deliberate practice—gradually increasing the level of difficulty to push one’s performance. This method ensures continuous learning, growth, and movement toward excellence.
Transforming Fear into Opportunity
Welcoming challenges, even those that scare you, is vital. Framing fear as a challenge transforms it into a guiding force—a compass that points toward growth. Over time, what once felt risky becomes manageable as your competence grows. In fact, risk is essential to staying in the flow zone. Without it, stagnation occurs.
Striking the Right Balance
To grow in your expertise, consider your sense of risk:
- No Risk? You’re playing too safe and likely underestimating your potential.
- Overwhelmed? You’re in the danger zone and may need to scale back.
The goal is a moderate level of risk—about 5% more than your current capability. This sweet spot ensures you’re pushing yourself without becoming overwhelmed. For coaches and trainers, seeking assessments or feedback can provide this level of challenge. Yes, it may be daunting, but that’s the point. The uncertainty keeps you sharp and focused.
The Mindset of Flexibility and Learning
Success in balancing challenge and competence also requires the right attitude. A flexible mindset allows you to adapt and see every experience—success or failure—as an opportunity to learn. Adopting the Silicon Valley motto, “Fail early, fail often, fail forward,” positions failure as a stepping stone to progress.
Experts often acknowledge that mastery begins when you take full responsibility for your actions. When things don’t go as planned, learn from the feedback, adjust, and try again. This iterative process of effort, reflection, and growth might be exactly what Michaelangelo referred to in his famous quote.
Closing Thoughts
The pursuit of expertise is a dynamic journey that requires focus, clarity, and an embrace of challenges. By finding your flow zone and staying there, you’ll not only develop your skills but also discover that the path to mastery is paved with deliberate effort and a fearless attitude toward growth.
Curated by Danielle Tan.
Reference:
- [Neurons] 2024 Neurons #50 EXPERTISE— A FUNCTION OF FOCUSING by L. Michael Hall, Ph.D. Executive Director, ISNS.
