Have you ever been “in the zone”? You were so involved in doing something that everything else melted away, and time stood still.
Psychologists call this “the flow,” and it’s essential for doing significant deep work.
smarter faster better
by Charles Duhigg
⏱ 14 minutes reading time
🎧 Audio version available
It’s such a mighty concept that productivity bloggers and business websites have taken the idea and run away with it, offering tips to achieve flow to be more productive.
But many of these wannabe bloggers have missed the point of the original book that originated the trend. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, written by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. As the book’s subtitle suggests, flow is about so much more than just being more productive. Raised productivity is a side effect of flow, but achieving flow eventually leads to a more enjoyable, happier life.
In today’s video, we’ll explore the truth of flow straight from the source. What is it, why it matters, and how can you cultivate it in your life?
There’s no particular formula for achieving flow, but we will share some tips to make it easier. Everything is based on the findings of Csikszentmihalyi’s research.
Work At Your BPT – Biological Peak Time
Getting into a flow state is hard if you are low on energy. You need to have the willpower to concentrate and not get distracted along the way. Tapping into your willpower and attention is energy-draining, so you need to do it when your mind is sharp and energized.
If you try to get into the flow state when you are tired and drained, it’ll feel like an uphill battle every step of the way.
Therefore, we recommend you use your mornings to get into the flow state. Another option would be to access the flow state right after taking a real break of about 15–30 minutes. But a good break doesn’t mean one spent checking social media or email! Take a brisk walk instead.
Make Sure You Aren’t Hungry
Funny fact – when I created this video, I was distracted and really struggled to focus. After thinking about the reasons behind it, I realized I was super hungry!
Hunger will kill flow; so, keep this in mind when working to achieve a flow state. You don’t have to eat 24/7, and it certainly isn’t a justification to eat junk food. Of course, high sugar junk foods and energy drinks will boost your energy in the short term, but you will crash hard, yanking you right out of the flow state.
When you eat anything processed, the oil factory in your stomach converts it into a heap of glucose that storms your brain immediately, which sends your energy levels on a rollercoaster.
Instead, you need high-quality fuel that will release glucose at a slower pace into your bloodstream. What you eat depends on your diet and general tastes, but as a whole, you can’t go wrong with nuts, fruits, veggies, seeds, and lean meats. Avoid refined and processed snacks with added sugar or sweeteners.
Cut Out Distractions
You’ll never get into the flow if you’re distracted. Your brain just can’t handle it. Unfortunately, there are situations in which distractions are inevitable. But most of the time, you can minimize or eliminate them. Here are the best tactics for doing so:
- Wear headphones
- Put your phone in airplane mode or, better yet, in your closet/drawer/ another room
- Create a working space
- Close the door of your room
- Schedule blocks of private time in your calendar
Use the Pomodoro Technique
We’re big fans of the Pomodoro technique. When you just can’t concentrate or are procrastinating on a considerable project, it makes an enormous difference.
The Pomodoro technique means setting a timer for 25 minutes, or any reasonable length of time, and working on only one task during that time. No checking your phone, watching YouTube, or scrolling through Facebook. When the timer is up, you’re free to take a short break, usually 5 minutes.
But what does it have with the flow? You can’t just enter the flow at will. It’s something you need to release your brain into. The Pomodoro technique makes this achievable by helping you jump the highest mental barrier: getting started. Once you’re immersed in a task, you may find yourself working well past when the timer goes off.
Don’t Multitask
Multitasking sounds nice in theory. Doing multiple things at once is more efficient, right?
Well, it would be, but our brains don’t function that way. We can’t perform various conscious tasks at once without what’s called the cognitive switching penalty. Naturally, every time you switch from one task to another, it takes your brain time to readjust.
Since the flow is so dependent on dealing with a single task with laser focus, multitasking is its enemy and opposite.
Get Enough High-Quality Sleep
Sleep is a game-changer for your health and general well-being. It’s also access to reaching flow states. If you’re tired, your ability to focus will decrease, and minor distractions will distract you more easily. Just think of how energetic and ready to rule the world you feel when you’ve gotten a solid night’s rest.
It’s vital that you get a sufficient quantity of sleep and that your sleep is high quality. Spending nine hours in bed is not a great quality if you spend most of it tossing and turning.
We hope you have a better idea of what flow is and how you can use it to not only be more effective but also to live a better life. What do you think? Have you already tried any of these tips? Have you ever felt the flow? Share your thoughts in the comment section! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe, so you don’t miss an upload, and you can enjoy the excellent content we send your way!
What Is Snapreads?
With the Snapreads app, you get the key insights from the best nonfiction books in minutes, not hours or days. Our experts transform these books into quick, memorable, easy-to-understand insights you can read when you have the time or listen to them on the go.
