E386/Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine & Dr. Susan A. Jackson about State of Flow

E386 – "Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine." In this episode, Dr. Foojan Zeine chats with Dr. Susan A. Jackson, a renowned psychologist and author celebrated for her pioneering work on the psychological concept of flow. Her expertise includes high-performance psychology consulting, academic research, writing, and flow experience assessment. With a PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sue has extensive experience in the sports, performance, and health industries. Her profound insights into flow stem from her close collaboration with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the founder of the flow concept. Together, they co-authored Flow in Sports, which was instrumental in bringing an understanding of flow to athletes and coaches. In Experiencing Flow, Sue shares practical strategies for achieving optimal experiences and unlocking human potential across various domains, solidifying her as a leading voice in the field. www.bodyandmindflow.com.au # 1 on the 20 Best California Mental Health Podcasts list by FeedSpot. https://podcasts.feedspot.com/california_mental_health_podcasts/ Check out my website: www.FoojanZeine.com, www.AwarenessIntegration.com, www.Foojan.com Summary Dr. Jackson and Dr. Foojan discussed the concept of 'flow,' a state of complete engagement and involvement in a task. Dr. Jackson explained that flow is characterized by high task involvement, with no mental energy left for self-consciousness or other distractions. She also mentioned that flow is not limited to sports but can be experienced in various settings such as music, acting, and therapy. The discussion also touched on the connection between flow and passion, agreeing that when one is utterly passionate about something, every part of it is in sync. Dr. Jackson discussed the challenges that prevent individuals from achieving flow, a state of optimal engagement and performance. He identified distractions, self-consciousness, lack of skills, and non-optimal arousal levels as key obstacles. Dr. Jackson emphasized the importance of mindfulness and meditation in overcoming these challenges, as they help individuals focus on the present and develop the skills necessary for flow. He also highlighted the role of motivation and optimal environmental conditions in facilitating flow. She discussed the importance of immediate and clear feedback in maintaining focus and flow during public speaking or performance. Emphasized that negative feedback should not be interpreted as a personal failure, but rather as a personal issue of the audience. Dr. Foojan also highlighted the significance of focusing on the task at hand and not getting distracted by irrelevant thoughts or emotions. She suggested that psychological skills can help maintain focus and refocus when necessary. Lastly, she addressed the issue of some individuals feeling they lack control over their performance, suggesting that understanding the steps and process can help them achieve their goals. Dr. Jackson discussed the concept of flow, which she defined as a state of complete engagement and connection with a task or activity. She emphasized that flow is not an accident but a state that can be cultivated through key factors such as a balance between challenge and skill, clear goals, and feedback. Dr. also highlighted the importance of focus and being able to completely immerse oneself in the task at hand. She described her experience of achieving flow as a complete connection and unity with the task or person involved. Dr discussed the importance of being present at the moment and focusing on the tasks at hand rather than being distracted by external inputs. They emphasized the benefits of mindfulness and meditation in developing these skills. Dr also acknowledged that individuals with attention deficit disorders can experience hyper focus, which can be a strength to be leveraged. They advised these individuals to play to their strengths and develop skills to know when hyper-focus isn't appropriate. Dr. Sue Jackson discussed the importance of flow in enhancing the quality of subjective experience and promoting personal growth. She emphasized that flow allows individuals to engage fully in activities, leading to a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Dr. Jackson also highlighted the benefits of flow in developing skills and becoming the best version of oneself. She encouraged the practice of flow in various aspects of life, such as work, nature walks, and even sexual experiences.