* I have a pet theory about what happens when we achieve a
flow state. This isn’t confirmed. It’s just my guess.
Psychologists commonly refer to the brain as operating in two
modes: System 1 and System 2. System 1 is fast and
instinctual. Generally speaking, processes you can perform
very quickly (like habits) are governed by System 1.
Meanwhile, System 2 controls thinking processes that are
more effortful and slow—like calculating the answer to a
difficult math problem. With regard to flow, I like to imagine
System 1 and System 2 as residing on opposite ends of the
spectrum of thinking. The more automatic a cognitive process
is, the more it slides toward the System 1 side of the
spectrum. The more effortful a task is, the more it slides
toward System 2. Flow, I believe, resides on the razor’s edge
between System 1 and System 2. You are fully using all of
your automatic and implicit knowledge related to the task
while also working hard to rise to a challenge beyond your
ability. Both brain modes are fully engaged. The conscious
and nonconscious are working perfectly in sync.
