The State of Flow
“Blacking Out”
Have you ever had a moment on the field where things go dark and you don’t remember what just happened?
Perhaps you struck someone out or hit a home run. You get off the field and suddenly “snap back into reality”, unable to recall how and what you just did. Almost like an out-of-body experience.
You try to remember what you were thinking, what you were feeling, and what you were telling yourself before that moment, but you simply cannot recall.
I call it “blacking out”. It is commonly known as the state of flow. It is when our mind, body, and spirit are unconsciously in sync and we allow our natural instincts to take over. No thinking, just reacting. Free of pressure and distractions. These are the moments when we perform to our greatest potential. We get out of our own way and allow ourselves to play and enjoy the game.
How do we achieve this state more often than not?
Hard work. Hours upon hours of detailed work. Not just going through the motions to check off boxes, but focused training in controlled environments to give us a shot during competition.
Trust. Belief that the work you have put in has put you in the best possible position to succeed. Not allowing ourselves to overthink and feel like “I could’ve done more.” Go to war with what you got. Trust your process. Trust your swing.
Relaxation. Play pressure-free, but the only way to do that is through Steps 1 & 2. Work hard, trust it, and relaaaaxxxxxxx. Take a deep breath, and remember why you do what you do. Because you love it. You love the grind, the hustle, the adrenaline rush. Embrace it and be grateful for it.
When you accomplish these three things, you give yourself a shot to be great. And when you give yourself a shot to be great, you can reach a state of flow. The game will come naturally. Your desired outcomes will be a byproduct of this process.
