The ‘Flow State’ Obsession: Why Chasing it Might be a Mistake

Introduction

We all love a good flow state story. The athlete who’s “locked in”, the artist who loses track of time, the genius who cracks the code in a burst of inspiration. It sounds almost magical - this idea that peak performance happens when everything just clicks.

But what if it doesn’t? What if you wake up groggy, your brain feels like mush, and inspiration is nowhere to be found? Are you out of luck? Should you just pack it in and wait for a better day?

This is where the myth of flow falls apart. The best performers - the ones who break records, create masterpieces, and push human potential forward - don’t wait for flow to show up. They’ve learned how to do the work, even when it feels hard.

So instead of chasing flow, let’s talk about what actually drives high performance - because you don’t need to be "in the zone" to be at your best.

Flow is Unreliable

Flow is amazing - when it decides to show up. One minute, you’re locked in, unstoppable. The next? You’re staring at your screen, waiting for inspiration like it’s a delayed flight.

Even the best in the world don’t have flow on speed dial. Studies show that elite athletes and top performers slip in and out of it, sometimes delivering their best work without being “in the zone” (1). So, if they can’t summon flow at will, why should you expect to?

The good news? You don’t need flow to perform at a high level. The real key is learning to show up and execute - whether or not everything feels effortless.

Chasing Flow Can Make You Soft

Here’s the hard truth: chasing that effortless in-the-zone feeling is a trap. Flow feels amazing - time flies, everything clicks, and you’re unstoppable. But what about the days when training sucks? When work is a grind? When competition gets downright brutal?

The best don’t wait for perfect conditions, they show up, rain or shine (2). Champions aren’t made by magical peak states; they’re built through consistency, discipline, and doing the work especially when they don’t feel like it (3).

So if you’re waiting for flow to save you, you might be waiting forever. The real key? Learning to perform whether flow shows up or not.

High Performance Often Happens Outside of Flow

The assumption that peak performance = flow is flawed. In reality, high-level performance happens under all kinds of conditions.

Talk to serial winners, and you’ll hear the same truth: success isn’t smooth or effortless. Tim Grover, who trained legends like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, doesn’t sugarcoat it - high performance is uncivilized, hard, nasty, dirty, unpolished, rough, unapologetic, unforgiving. These athletes weren’t floating in a perfect trance, they were battling, adapting, and making split-second decisions when everything was far from ideal (4).

Peak performance isn’t about finding flow - it’s about showing up and delivering, no matter what.

The Solution: Train for ‘Non-Flow’ Performance

Forget chasing flow. Instead, train yourself to perform - no matter how you feel. Here’s how:

• Build Discipline not Motivation: Ditch waiting for the "right" moment. Stick to a structured routine so that your performance becomes automatic, not reliant on mood swings (3).

• Develop Cognitive Resilience: Train in tough conditions - fatigue, noise, discomfort—so you can keep performing even when everything feels off (5).

• Focus on Systems not States: Stop chasing the elusive flow state. Build solid habits and systems that guarantee success, even when you’re not feeling "in the zone” (2).

Master these, and you’ll be unstoppable, whether flow shows up or not.

Conclusion

Flow is great, but it’s a bonus, not a requirement for success. The top performers don’t wait for the magic to happen - they build systems, habits, and mental toughness so they can deliver no matter what.

So, the next time you’re feeling off, distracted, or just not in the zone - good. That’s your opportunity to train like the pros. Stop chasing flow. Chase consistency instead.

References

1. Jackson S. Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Flow State in Elite Athletes. J Appl Sport Psychol. 1995 Sep 14;7(2):138–66.

2. Duckworth A. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner; 2016.

3. Clear J. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Avery; 2018.

4. Eunse J. Medium. 2021. Top Athletes Describe ‘Winning’ Differently.

5. Baumeister R, Vohs K. Handbook of Self-Regulation: Research, Theory, and Applications. Guilford Publications; 2016.