Moe and Steven discuss what is actually possible for our species; about where—if anywhere—our limits lie.
The Science of Flow
In the spring of 2007, I was invited to facilitate a business model innovation session with a group of 25 business builders in Whistler, British Columbia. It was my first time in Whistler, and the setting couldn’t be more spectacular – snow-capped mountains, European elegance, and the impeccable service that only the Four Seasons can deliver. The intent of our two-day program was for each of us to reimagine the very essence of our business, and to leave with a more progressive way to deliver our value proposition. The first day was invigorating, but exhausting as we worked through dinner and ended up calling it quits around midnight.
The next day was a Friday, and started with a recap breakfast at 8 am where each of us shared the five key insights that we had gained from the previous session. Although each of us seemed to be deeply engaged, the energy in the room was flat and lacked the vigor of the first day; so we decided to take a long walk around town. The day was picture perfect – crystal clear skies, crisp air and just the perfect chill to help us take it all in. For the next 90 minutes, we just appreciated nature; and as we started to venture back towards our meeting room, we felt a renewed sense of vitality that was unlike anything I had ever felt. For the next three hours, we launched into the most invigorating dialogue about innovation that we had ever experienced; and although each of us left with an abundance of ideas; it was our collective energy that we’ll never forget. Unbeknownst to us, we had just experienced the four phases of ‘Flow.‘
As someone who had always been fascinated with the concept of human potential, I was especially excited when Steven Kotler released his latest book – The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance. Not only Kotler’s research challenge you to rethink your limits; it will give you the exact formula that the world’s most elite athletes use. If you’re curious, start by answering this question —-