In a world characterized by rapid technological advancements and the displacement of jobs due to AI, our human minds often struggle to keep up. The prevailing narrative of economic uncertainty can easily lead to anxiety and overwhelm.

However, it’s important to recognize that this negative perspective is primarily propagated by mainstream media, which tends to overlook the positive aspects. The human mind is wired with a bias towards negativity, a survival mechanism known as the “Negativity Bias.”

Understanding how our minds function is crucial, and it’s time to embrace a revolution that’s unfolding right before our eyes—an emerging 4 trillion-dollar economy associated with altered states of consciousness.

Although being the sophisticated beings we all naturally are— our innate intelligence is at constant war with our primitive monkey minds. Understanding how our minds function is crucial, and it’s time to embrace a revolution that’s unfolding right before our eyes—an emerging 4 trillion-dollar economy associated with altered states of consciousness.

One that can level up your brain to reach peak states so you won’t crumble under the current narrative of doom and gloom.

The Future Is Here: An Emerging Trillion Dollar Economy

This new economy of altered states will involve everything related to the booming 15 billion-dollar personal growth industry:

1. Self-Help: Engage in seminars, online courses, retreats, and cohorts.
2. Services: Seek support from coaches, therapists, studio instructors, and even visit nap cafes.
3. Media: Access valuable resources such as podcasts, books, apps, and videos.
4. Mind Medicine: Explore the potential of nootropics, psychedelics, CBD, and supplements.
5. Products: Utilize wearable technology, saunas, blue-light blockers, journals, books, aromatherapy, and weighted blankets.products (wearables, saunas, blue-light blockers, journals, books, aromatherapy, weighted blankets)

While the rise of psychedelics is well-known, it’s important to highlight the scientific advancements that enhance the potential of our most powerful tool— YOUR BRAIN.

We call it “peak performance” and it’s going to be a trillion-dollar economy because it’s the only thing we have if we want to stay ahead of algorithms and artificial intelligence.

Join the Elites or Get Left Behind:

Did you know that top performers have already been doing this for years? CEOS, thought-leaders, and Navy Seals— this is why they are peak performers.

To reach their level of excellence, it’s time to get involved.

If you want to get to that level, you need to get involved.

No, I’m not telling you to take drugs or unknown supplements but you can utilize something you already have: YOUR BIOLOGY. Your body. Your brain. Your mindset.

Peak performers use their biology to their advantage.

Whereas the masses, at a major disadvantage, neglect that gift of their own biology.

How To Get Into the Altered States of Consciousness

There is one thing you need to master, and that’s getting into flow state.

Flow is an altered state of consciousness where everything is effortless when you are fully consumed in a task and not realizing how many hours have passed by. Some refer to it as “The Deep Now” or “in the zone”— where one is completely present.

I’ve written about flow states quite often because I lived in flow for the last decade. I wish everyone can live this way! This is one thing that is going to save humanity from the rise of computers, navigating us out of this downward spiral where the general masses think humanity is doomed.

Nuclear wars, food deserts, economic downturns, toxic work cultures, cognitive biases, your overbearing in-laws, and distant cousin who won’t shut up about conspiracy theories… I bet if everyone learned how to live in flow, we can begin to eliminate many problems in the world.

To simplify it, we can call it “hacking our brain” but unlike the mainstream definition of hack: shortcuts— peak performers know shortcuts are the ultimate enemy to success. Neuroscientist, Dr. Andrew Huberman uses the analog of “crawl then walk then run” as the protocol to success. You don’t let anyone just walk into your lab and tell you to publish a paper in Nature. You follow a process that includes multiple iterations, also required for personal growth.

Flow State: When Life Becomes Effortless

We’re all going to be faced with challenges but when you learn to access flow state, your work and life will feel effortless.

That’s why you might feel exhausted just watching a cyclist conquer a mountain in the Tour De France, but to them, it’s a natural state of flow. The same applies to a chess player engrossed in a match or J.K. Rowling dedicating six years to write 4,100 pages for her iconic Hogwarts legacy.

Does “hacking your brain” sound too woohoo? When I was first introduced to the power of using your “mindset to create the life you desire” back in 2014 it all seemed foreign and crazy but years later, I get it. It literally changed my life— my mind, and I know how to create the life I want.

The learning process is a journey and you can’t skip steps. No shortcuts, remember?

Don’t worry, I’m not here to waste your time. I believe in manifestation but there is emerging science behind it. One of the biggest secrets is to enjoy the journey— the process of learning. So let’s go.,

Studies show there’s a huge correlation between those with high amounts of flow and those who report high levels of life satisfaction and happiness.

Today I will teach you how to trigger flow states.

Why You Need To Learn To Trigger Flow

• More Time. Once you grasp that time is a man-made concept based on our own subjective frame of reference, you’ll have more control over your life. Words taken from the man himself; Einstein.
• More Creativity. The best part is that the creative benefits of flow can last for up to two days, extending beyond the actual flow state.
• More Clarity. Dropping into flow requires clear goals but once you feel the power of flow, you’ll be doing it so much that finding clarity will become effortless.
• More Knowledge. Forget the 10,000 hours needed to learn something new. In flow, you learn much faster because you develop laser-like focus.
• More Awareness. Being in flow means being absolutely present. The more you do this, the more self-aware you become, and the better and smarter you become.
• More Happiness. Flow triggers dopamine release when you’re doing something you love.

The 22 Triggers For Flow

The best part of flow states is there are 22 triggers, as defined by Steven Kotler’s Flow Research Collective, to amplify the amount of flow in your life. That’s plenty of options for you to work from.

Flow triggers help you:

• Reduce cognitive load so your brain doesn’t get distracted by irrelevant information.
• Increase neurochemicals to keep you driving forward.
• Keeps you focused on the right things.
• Increase focus to get things done.

Explore these triggers and try to master all of them so you can learn to live in a constant state of flow.

a. Internal Flow Triggers

Internal flow triggers can be leveraged by relying on your internal maps and models. Here are 6 internal flow triggers to help you find flow:

• Clear Goals. Having clear, concise goals reduce the cognitive load needed to “empty your mind” and filter irrelevant information, to drop into flow state. Have a clear understanding of what’s required for a successful outcome.
• Unambiguous Feedback. Receiving immediate feedback reduces cognitive load so your brain can begin to figure out the exact next steps, dropping you even deeper into flow.
• Challenge-Skill Balance. The activity needs to be challenging yet within your abilities so anxiety doesn’t paralyze you from the action, yet it can’t be below your current skill level otherwise you’ll get bored. When you are bored, you’re not paying attention. Flow is all about attention.

• Concentration on Task. You must have laser-focused attention on the task. This is something you will get better at over time and irrelevant stimuli will automatically disappear from your consciousness.
• Curiosity / Passion / Purpose. Intrinsic (self) motivation is required so you feel you’re contributing to a purpose much bigger than yourself. This creates dopamine, a neurochemical, that shows up in flow which gives you the boost to continue.
• Autonomy. Autonomy means having control over your life and doing what you want— which increases a sense of well-being and life satisfaction.

b. External Flow Triggers

Our environment will dictate our success. We can leverage it to increase our probability to drop into flow state. Here are 5 external flow triggers you can use to drop into flow state:

• High Consequence. There needs to be an element of risk involved with the task to keep you engaged. Your brain can’t tell the difference between internal and external risk so you don’t need to be jumping off climbs but risks may include: social (public speaking), financial (investing), and emotional (possibility of facing painful emotions).
• Deep Embodiment. This is the mystifying unity of action and awareness— when you feel oneness with your surroundings. It requires learning to be present because you are aware or in tune with the information inside your body as well as your surrounding environment. It may be the hiker and the mountains. The writer and her keyboard. The painter and his paintbrush. The surfer and the serenity of the waves.
• Novelty. Since our brains are wired to pay attention to new things (eg. shiny object syndrome), the task at hand should be something that excites us. It creates a rush of dopamine, getting us deep into flow whether it’s learning new things or trying a new sport.
• Complexity. The task needs to be complex enough that you are challenged but not to the point of overwhelming. if it’s too hard, you will quit. If it’s too simple, your brain won’t want to waste time paying attention to it. Complexity drives your attention to the task because it’s an exciting problem waiting to be solved.
• Unpredictability. Because your brain is wired to pay attention to the danger, also things it isn’t “familiar with”, unpredictability will drive salience towards the unexpected stimulus, increasing focus and attention to the task at hand.

c. Group Flow Triggers

Group flow is powerful because let’s face it, we all have FOMO (fear of missing out). We’re social creatures at heart and the fear of being left behind is also a survival mechanism.

Because of this, when we enter a collective state of mind called “Group Flow” with others, we are able to innovate at the highest levels— much more than we can at an individual level. We need each other to thrive.

Self-Leadership First:

It’s important that each individual understands they’re responsible for their own motivation for wanting to be part of the group. Without a strong foundation on their own sense of purpose, they won’t be able to mesh with the group. When each person embodies self-leadership, the collective creates an environment conducive to group flow anyone is allowed to establish their expertise at any given time.

Here are 12 group flow triggers to be aware of:

• Shared Goals. The group must have a unifying vision and a compelling mission in the direction they’re all working towards.
• Familiarity. The team must be familiar with each other’s performance styles to harness group flow hence the importance of the next point…
• Close, Deep Listening. Group flow requires its members to closely listen deeply and be engaged fully with each other so the group can perform as one.
• Complete Concentration. The entire team must be focused on the mission at hand— on the present, not on the goal or the finale.
• Blending Egos. No one hogs the spotlight! Everyone is equal. When you’re in immersed in group flow, hive mentality kicks in and you’re no longer acting in your own interest but that of the group. You intuitively react to each other’s contributions. Think of a soccer team or an orchestra all playing in sync.
• Equal Participation. Everyone gets a chance to contribute equally with comparable skill levels that complement each other. If one is too high, they may be labeled as arrogant and if too low, it will impede the process of group flow.
• Shared Risk. An element of risk is required to drive the teams’ attention to the task at hand. If there is minimal potential for failure, there will be less intrinsic motivation to complete the mission.
• Being in Control. Since autonomy is essential to life satisfaction, group flow increases when members feel they have control over the task and the outcome.
• Open & Immediate Communication. When individuals’ needs are met and immediate feedback is given to reduce cognitive load, group flow soars.
• Always Say YES. Moving It Forward. The first act of improv is to keep the momentum moving forward and the success of group flow can’t be stalled with simple NOs. At Amazon, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, has a rule that if a boss tries to deny an employee’s idea, they must write a 2-page letter explaining why to keep the conversation going.

d. Creative Flow Triggers

Pattern Recognition.

Steven Kotler of the Flow Research Collective defines pattern recognition as the linking of ideas— when we make connections between new and old information and ideas. It triggers creativity and drops us into the flow because it creates a magic cycle of:

Pattern Recognition → Creativity → Flow → Pattern Recognition

If you live in flow, you’ll literally have endless creativity.

To create conditions for pattern recognition, you need to constantly expose your mind to new and unrelated information.

For example, if you are writing about a certain topic:

• Warm-up and feed your brain ideas by reading for 20 minutes before a writing session.
• Read about things outside of the topic you’re writing about.
• Choose a topic you’re curious and interested in, which will produce dopamine to engage flow.

The Take Away:

Flow follows focus. — Steven Kotler

In other words, you need to be focused to get into flow. The triggers listed above help you eliminate distractions and induce neurochemicals to trigger flow state.

Flow triggers are founded on evolutionary biology and bring our attention to the present. They create conditions required to drop into flow so you can enter the altered state of consciousness where time is slowed and life becomes effortless. The Deep Now.