1: The answer: Yes.
It’s what scientists call “flow” or the flow state.
Flow is defined as “an optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and perform our best,” Steven Kotler writes in his powerful book The Art of the Impossible.
“More specifically, the term refers to those moments of rapt attention and total absorption when we get so focused on the task at hand that everything … continue reading
1: “My best friend, Michael Wharton, ran track in high school,” Steven Kotler writes in The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer.
Michael’s coach had unusual protocols. “When they went out for long runs, whenever they encountered a hill, the team had to shift their focus entirely to core running skills: long strides, strong arms, high kicks. Note the focus wasn’t on speed or acceleration, it was on … continue reading
1: The default mode for peak performers is not recovery, rest, and relaxation.
“If momentum matters most, sitting still feels like laziness,” Steven Kotler writes in The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer. “And the more aligned with passion and purpose we become, the more ‘wasteful’ time off starts to feel.”
Yet, we need to prioritize recovery to avoid burnout.
“Burnout is identified by three symptoms: exhaustion, depression, … continue reading
1: Grit is “the intersection of passion and perseverance,” University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth tells us.
Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle’s observation three hundred years ago is even simpler: “No pressure, no diamonds.”
We all know the path to consistent high performance is a bumpy road with many rocks, boulders, and unexpected hairpin turns.
In his book, The Art of Impossible, author Steven Kotler identifies three indigents required for … continue reading
1: Author Steven Kotler is a skier.
“I started skiing when I was five years old and have never stopped,” Steven Kotler writes in The Art of Impossible: A Peak Performance Primer. “As a result, every time I head into the mountains, I am making a choice (autonomy) that is aligned with my passion and purpose.”
This week we’ve been exploring the importance of autonomy to drive peak performance. … continue reading
