As I follow the trail of an Elephant bull, I am completely immersed in the task at hand. I scrutinise the ground ahead, searching for any sign. It is very seldom that I see a complete track. I am searching for a disturbance, something out of place, perhaps a slight scrape mark in the soil or the reflection of light off a flattened piece of ground between the scattered clumps of grass. I notice the dark bruise on a grass stem some four metres ahead, confirming that I am still on the trail. As I follow the tracks and signs of my quarry, I feel myself getting more and more engrossed in the task. The rest of the world seems to disappear.
I pass by a ravaged tree, bark stripped, sap slowly oozing up through the exposed wound. I lean down and pick up a fallen leaf. It is slightly lighter in colour than the leaves still attached to the mangled tree, and ever so slightly less supple. I note the contrasting colour difference in the freshly scraped soil, disturbed by the animals passing, to the surrounding undisturbed earth. The gap is closing.
I hear movement behind me and glance back, almost a little surprised to see the group of eight people following me. Heads are down as they shuffle to a standstill. They are exhausted. I feel slightly guilty, as I have forgotten that they are even there. I glance at my watch and realise that we have been on the bull’s trail for over two hours without stopping for a break. But we cannot stop now, we are catching up.
I continue forward, following the obvious route, when the fresh, pungent, and earthy smell of Elephant dung hits my nostrils. Now I can hear the buzzing of the dung beetles, and up ahead I make out the pile of wet and glistening excrement. I approach, break open a bolus with my foot and feel it with the back of my hand. There is warmth. We are not far behind now.
My mind is focused solely on the signs left behind by my quarry. I am not thinking about anything else, but am completely absorbed in the activity. The resultant engagement brings a sense of satisfaction as well as the feeling of mastery over my actions, only enhancing my focus. At the present moment, I am not even aware of my own existence, I am in a state of flow.
Flow State, also known as being “in the zone,” is a psychological state in which an individual is completely absorbed in the task at hand, with a feeling of effortless control and a loss of self-consciousness. This state is characterised by several key elements, including:
- Complete immersion in the activity: The individual is so focused on the task that they lose track of time and become completely absorbed in the activity.
- Effortless control: The individual feels a sense of mastery over their actions and a feeling of effortless control.
- Loss of self-consciousness: The individual loses awareness of their own existence and is no longer self-conscious.
- Sense of joy and satisfaction: The individual experiences a sense of joy and satisfaction in the activity.
- Clear goals and immediate feedback: The individual has a clear understanding of the task and receives immediate feedback on their progress.
The flow state is considered a peak performance state as it allows an individual to achieve a level of performance that would not be possible in a state of distraction or disinterest. It can be experienced in a wide range of activities, including sports, art, music, work and of course, tracking. Any activity where a modicum of skill is needed, where feedback is immediate and where a high degree of focus and attention is required, especially if there is a hint of possible danger involved, can lead to a flow state. When your objective is to follow the trail until you find your quarry, which is often a potentially dangerous animal, your senses have extra reason to be piqued, with a lapse in concentration being potentially very dangerous indeed.
Trailing an animal involves following its tracks and signs until you catch up with it. The activity requires a high degree of concentration and focus, good physical fitness, as well as a deep understanding of the animal’s habits, habitat and potential signs that it may leave behind. It requires patience and persistence, keen vision, an eye for detail, and stamina, with the process often taking hours or even days to complete.
The process of trailing an animal by a skilled tracker leads to a positive feedback loop, in which the flow state and the feeling of success reinforce each other. As the tracker becomes more and more engrossed in the task and experiences the flow state, they may also begin to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which then further enhances their focus and engagement, leading to an even deeper flow state. This positive feedback loop can be incredibly powerful, as it can lead to a self-reinforcing cycle of focus, engagement, and success. It allows the tracker to maintain a high level of performance for extended periods of time, and to continue to improve their tracking skills over time. The feeling of being in control and the sense of mastery over the task can make the experience even more enjoyable, encouraging the tracker to continue tracking even when the task becomes challenging or difficult.
In conclusion, trailing an animal is an activity that can easily lead to a flow state, characterised by a feeling of complete immersion, effortless control, and a loss of self-consciousness, allowing the tracker to achieve a level of peak performance.
