If you’ve ever been so focused on one thing that the rest of the world melted away, it might have been a mental state psychologists call flow state. This self-induced feeling can make tasks feel more enjoyable and help people stay involved in what they’re doing.
What is Flow?
Flow is a concept that Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first introduced to describe his studies on happiness and how people find happiness. But it has evolved into being much more than that. It’s not just about joy anymore – it’s about getting lost in what you are doing and not feeling like time passed until you find yourself finishing your work or task.
How to turn Flow state into Deep Focus sessions
Preparation is the key to deep focus. In order to accomplish it, you must know exactly what needs to be done. You will also want to create a timeline to break down your tasks and work in blocks of time.
Focusing on precise tasks, so you don’t have to interrupt to think about what needs to be done is essential, so you can always keep in mind the goal and don’t get distracted.
Having a precise goal allows us to stay focused and gives us motivation. Dividing motion from action from my experience is also crucial, separating deep sessions where you want to divide those where you execute versus those where you want to reason and plan.
In order to work in deep focus mode, it is necessary to eliminate all possible distractions and obstacles. Many people have a hard time concentrating because they are constantly bombarded with interruptions and messages from their environment.
Especially if you’re working on a task that requires a lot of thought or deliberation, it’s essential to remove any potential distractions.
Learn more: Flowtime Technique: The Ultimate Productivity Hack
How to Create a Flow-Inducing Environment for Yourself?
A flow-enhancing environment provides everything you need to stay focused on your work and get through it promptly. This could include an ergonomic desk, office chair, music playlist, or an ambient scent diffuser.
The environment you work in can make or break your productivity. The goal is to find a place, physical and/or mental, that will induce a flow state to help you be productive.
One way to create an environment that induces flow is to use the Pomodoro technique, which includes working in 25-minute intervals followed by a five-minute break. This kind of method has been proven to increase efficiency and creativity.
Another way to induce flow is through triggers, such as music, lighting, and colors on the walls. Using these techniques can change your mood and help with creativity and productivity.
Start with a simple routine.
Begin by creating your own routine. I personally start every time with a 1 minute controlled breathing session, and when I feel ready, I put on my playlist and listen to the same music. This leads the brain to associate that situation with focus, and it becomes easier and easier to concentrate.
It is better if you start slowly. At the beginning of your deep-focus approach to work, one hour a day is enough.
You can increase to 2-3 hours, whereas I think 4 hours are the maximum limit during the day of ‘deep focus’ beyond which may not bring the same benefits, but this is purely a personal matter.
You have to choose the routine that best fits you and, over time, see your goals accomplished.
How To Stop Procrastinating Using Time Blocking
There’s a deadline looming, and you’re working your fingers to the bone to get it done in time. You’ve had weeks to work on it, but you didn’t start until the deadline was nearly on top of you. And now, you’re stressed, panicking about delivering your work late or incomplete, and likely to deliver a […]
Is Multitasking Productive? What Science Has To Say
Multitasking is human nature. We’ve all listened to music while driving to work or while cooking. We’re all likely guilty of browsing through our phones while chatting with a friend. But what about when it comes to multitasking at work? With so many demands on our time, you’re probably familiar with the idea of multitasking […]
9 Strategies To Avoid Procrastination In The Workplace
Have you ever experienced situations where you feel overwhelmed due to large projects? Or do you feel like it’s better to do the tasks after some time? This is what procrastination feels like. In simple words, procrastination is the act of delaying the tasks of one’s own will and completing other unimportant tasks in the […]
