3 ways to tap into "flow" and get more done
Picture this: you sit down to work on a challenging task and the next thing you know, it's three hours later and you're completely finished. You became so engrossed in your work that time fell away and your entire being was seemingly focused on accomplishing that goal. Now imagine that you could experience this sort of intense, all-absorbing productivity every time you sit down to work.
What is Flow?
This psychological state of full immersion in a given activity is referred to as flow, and most people have experienced it at one point or another. It is particularly common when practicing sports, playing music, and yes, working. When we enter a state of flow, distractions fall to the wayside, allowing us to perform at our best (and perhaps get even better at whatever skill we're working on).
A flow state typically involves some or all of the following characteristics:
A feeling of clarity about your goals, and a sense of reward from accomplishing them
Full, uninterrupted attention on a given task
A feeling that the task has become effortless
A loss of the sense of self and emotion
Time distortion, with time seeming to speed up, slow down, or even cease to matter
Feelings of peace and calm
Tap Into Flow
The benefits of flow are certainly appealing, but it can be hard to enter a flow state on demand. According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who originated the concept of flow, there are a few key features that lead to a flow state: your task must have a clearly defined goal and your task must pose a reasonable level of challenge. Also, given that flow is generally an enjoyable condition, it's helpful if your task is meaningful and enjoyable to you. Based on these characteristics, there are a few ways you can increase your chances of experiencing a flow state.
Define your task as soon as you sit down. If you don't have a clear goal, it's almost impossible to enter a state of hyper-focus on that goal.
Ensure your tasks are challenging but manageable. When you have a large goal, you should break it up so that the chunk you're working on is never mind-numbing nor overly-difficult. Some level of challenge is generally necessary to achieve flow, but it shouldn't be overwhelming.
Minimize distractions. Although in a state of flow, you won't pay any attention to distractions, you'll want a distraction-free environment to help you get there.
With a bit of planning, you can easily incorporate these three criteria into your everyday work routine, which will maximize your ability to experience flow.