{"id":31384,"date":"2020-06-29T15:07:54","date_gmt":"2020-06-29T13:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/?p=31384"},"modified":"2020-06-29T15:07:54","modified_gmt":"2020-06-29T13:07:54","slug":"flow-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/blog\/flow-state\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Flow State Productivity Is The Key To A Great Work Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all have these moments when we look at the time only to realize we\u2019ve been so focused on something we didn\u2019t realize six hours have passed. Or when we lift our head up and realize the sun is up again, even though it seems that it was 9 PM moments ago. Sadly, I have to admit that this only happens to me when I play video games (and when I was reading the final Harry Potter book for the first time).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what if we can do the same with our workday and power through our daily tasks without a single break<\/a>? As if nothing else mattered and there was no world outside?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For years, it was believed that the so-called \u2018flow state\u2019 is a superpower granted only to geniuses<\/a>, unavailable to the large crowd. It\u2019s been widely studied in sport, giving the public an ultimate answer to why athletes act like they forgot they\u2019re humans. But, it\u2019s been also proven that flow state can be achieved in many fields<\/strong>, not necessarily these perceived as \u2018star-like\u2019. In fact, any person engaged in a contemplative, creative, or analytical task can achieve it<\/strong>. Businesses can even aim for team flow<\/a> to achieve better results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I\u2019ll show you how you can adapt this concept to your needs and be your most productive self<\/strong>. This is not the easiest process, but trust me – it\u2019s worth trying. A 10-year study<\/a> has proven that the flow state can boost our productivity by 500%! Isn\u2019t that something?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Flow State Productivity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The concept of flow was introduced in 1975 as a phenomenon combining the full, energized focus on one activity and a full involvement while experiencing joy. Today, we perceive it as the creative, productive process that brings us excitement, joy, and total immersion into the task that makes us lose the track of time<\/strong>. Rather than feeling rewarded by the outcome of our flow state, we feel satisfied with the mere process. In fact, we\u2019re bound to it so much that we\u2019re capable of stretching ourselves to achieve more than we normally would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Flow<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s quite normal to \u2018forget\u2019 to go to the bathroom, eat a snack, or have a sip of water while in the flow. Somehow, our body seems to feed on this state of mind, giving us a strange sensation of calmness. It may sound odd, but if you take yourself back to the times when you played your favorite video game for hours or when you spent all night talking with someone special, it suddenly becomes reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not easy to put yourself into a flow state but once you do, make sure there are as few distractions as possible. Trust me, you don\u2019t want to interfere with the flow. Speaking from my experience I can tell that <\/em>once I get inspired and focused, I become unstoppable<\/em><\/strong>. Suddenly I don\u2019t need coffee, more information, fewer distractions, more time, or whatever excuse seems to be suitable at the time. It doesn\u2019t matter that my back started to hurt and that I didn\u2019t drink even a sip of water during the last 12 hours, I simply can feel neither pain nor thirst. I know that you should take breaks, drink water, let some air to the room, etc. but flow state isn\u2019t something that you can achieve on a daily basis.<\/em> – Weronika<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steps To Get Into Flow State Productivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Think about the last time you\u2019ve experienced this sudden realization of how much time has passed. Was it after you\u2019d done something you absolutely hate? Probably not. Maybe it was in the middle of an amazing friendly gathering. Maybe it was while you immersed yourself in your hobby. Maybe it was during a great weekend that went exactly as you wanted it. Whatever the circumstances were, you were most likely enjoying them to the fullest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is actually the trick to the flow state. It lies somewhere between enjoyment and a challenge<\/strong>, so the \u2018like\u2019 factor is a must!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, don\u2019t assume that the key to achieving flow state productivity is loving your job. If it was that simple, there wouldn\u2019t be any science to it. It\u2019s more complex than that – and while the joy is a part of it<\/a>, so is the hard work and finding the meaning behind your actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Make<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re planning to enter into the flow state, make sure you prepare for it<\/strong>. Luckily, it\u2019s not something that just strikes us out of the blue – you can trick yourself into it. And the longer you work on it, the easier and better it\u2019ll get!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing The Right Source Material<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like I\u2019ve mentioned above – enjoyment is the first step to achieve flow state productivity. That being said, do you know a single person who absolutely loves each and every aspect of their job? Me neither. Even if you\u2019re fond of it in general, there\u2019s always something you detest, like answering emails or filing invoices. But let\u2019s not focus on the tasks you hate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selecting a task that you enjoy for your first flow state isn\u2019t enough. Go for something that\u2019s equally pleasurable and challenging<\/strong>, so that you won\u2019t get bored with it after half an hour. Plain, non-complex tasks won\u2019t consume your attention enough, letting your mind wander somewhere else instead. Don\u2019t make the mistake of picking something too hard either<\/strong> – you\u2019ll get frustrated and lose the motivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, this may be obvious, but I\u2019ll mention it anyway – pick a task that you\u2019re competent in<\/strong>. The process of learning, while important, doesn\u2019t pair well with flow state productivity. It simply makes you use your brain in a different way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pick<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

See how I used \u2018task\u2019 as in singular, right? Many believe that the secret to true productivity<\/strong> – and the flow state – is actually single-tasking<\/strong>. So, pinpoint the most important things to do and cross everything else off your list (at least for now). Switching back and forth before numerous activities will make you busy, but won\u2019t take you anywhere. This can mean that you won\u2019t pick up your phone, answer emails, or have \u2018fun\u2019 with paperwork. But if these things can wait until tomorrow, after you\u2019re done with a key project, take the sacrifice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding The Right Spot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It seems that the current world situation has its upsides after all. With our social life basically on lockdown, many companies have decided to introduce new remote work procedures<\/a>. The home office is arguably the best place to get into the flow state productivity<\/strong>, as it comes with fewer distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If working from home is not an option for you, don\u2019t worry – you\u2019re not a lost cause just yet. Invest in noise-canceling headphones and try to find a quieter place in your office<\/strong> where you won\u2019t be disturbed by colleagues (even noticing someone walking nearby can kick you out of the zone). ASMR, ambient noise<\/strong>, or even rain sounds will also greatly improve your experience<\/strong> with the flow state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Find<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if you can be flexible with your work surroundings and hours, take some time to think about your most productive periods during the day<\/strong>. These can depend on your character and your sleep schedule, but also on others\u2019 behaviors. You may decide that the time window between your spouse waking up and leaving for work is not the best moment to focus on anything. Or that 10:30 AM, when the office sandwich guy shows up, is precisely when your colleagues running towards him distract you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be The Best Version Of Yourself<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Carefully picking out the right type of work and reducing outside stimulants will take you nowhere if you don\u2019t take care of yourself first<\/strong>! If you\u2019re unmotivated, sleep-deprived, sick, or in any other way unwell, all the tricks in the world won\u2019t help you get into the flow state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you\u2019re well-rested and your mind is fresh<\/strong>. Flow state productivity is exhausting, so it\u2019s extremely important to take care of yourself before and after you get out of the zone. While working, you may forget about the outside world, the fresh air, and your close ones. And that\u2019s okay. But remember they\u2019re not only there to distract you – they\u2019ll help you achieve your best results!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Take<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Find Extra Incentives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you know how every single one of the \u2018how to be productive\u2019 guides tells you to get away from your desk every once in a while and move around a bit? Well, apart from the obvious health benefits, low-impact physical exercise can boost your creativity<\/strong> and, therefore, help you get into the flow state. Just put your sneakers on and go for a brisk walk – there\u2019s no need to finish a triathlon here. It\u2019ll help you reset and, who knows, maybe you\u2019ll even experience a little flow state while you\u2019re at it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When starting your day with achieving a flow state in mind, take a look at your desk before sitting down. Put away anything that can distract you<\/strong> (yes, that includes the picture of your puppy). Shove a mysterious pile of miscellaneous papers into a folder and put it somewhere out of sight – you\u2019ll deal with it tomorrow. Turn off your notifications and mute your phone. In fact, giving your colleagues and close ones a heads-up<\/strong> and telling them to give you some space won\u2019t be an exaggeration! Let them know that you want to spend a couple of hours dedicated to one task<\/strong> and that you\u2019ll be back in the afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, if you\u2019re into this kind of activity – you can try actual meditation and the art of mindfulness<\/strong>. It\u2019s believed that these practices help you build and improve your consciousness and, as a result, truly immerse yourself in your tasks and feel the unity between yourself and your activities. Work on being \u2018in the moment\u2019<\/strong> rather than continuously thinking about the past or the future – this is precisely what distracts you from achieving the flow state.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Look<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Get In The Zone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For some, the trick to achieving the flow state is via a ritual. You can combine the activities I\u2019ve mentioned above and form a habit that will help you and your brain understand what you\u2019re about to do<\/strong>. Clearing your desk and your mind is a great starting point, but if you want to take this further, think of other activities that make you feel energized, inspired, and motivated. To some, it can be a morning run, to others (like me) – a giant cup of coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for people and sources that boost your creativity<\/strong>, like podcasts, books, or newsletters. Even a short phone-call with someone who inspires you to do more can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always Strive For More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At first, getting into the zone will be difficult. You\u2019ll probably struggle to focus on one task, especially if you\u2019re a serial multitasker. But this doesn\u2019t mean you won\u2019t get better at this! If you lose your concentration, keep calm and carry on<\/strong>, as the Brits would say. Note why you lost your flow and what could you do to avoid it in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Observe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In fact, I dare to say that every consecutive flow state you\u2019ll achieve will be better than the previous one<\/strong>. As you experience them, you\u2019ll learn more and more about their nature and the best way to trigger them. Try tracking your flow states<\/strong> – aimed or accidental – to have a better understanding of how your brain works. We are all different, after all, and may be driven by different factors.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why You Should Aim For Flow State Productivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I know what you\u2019re thinking right now. You\u2019ve probably just assumed that it\u2019s all too much to handle and the amount of work you need to put in is ridiculous. Well, I have to admit, it\u2019s not easy to induce the state of flow, and this concept is definitely not for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, it\u2019s worth trying! There\u2019s nothing to lose here. Even if you struggle with concentration at the beginning, you\u2019ll work it like a muscle until it learns to be strong. Even if your first flow will last less than half an hour, you\u2019ll accomplish more than you otherwise would. And even if you find out that you can\u2019t get \u2018in the zone\u2019 more often than once a month, you\u2019re still that one step ahead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When (what unfortunately isn’t happening every day) I’m able to reach my flow state, <\/em>my work<\/em><\/strong> isn’t just an organized list of tasks. It <\/em>becomes a stream of thoughts and actions that seems natural<\/em><\/strong>. It’s almost like a martial artist practicing the same technique for hundreds of hours just uses his muscle memory. I’m doing this same with my brain. Most of the time I\u2019m just going in and out of this stream surprised that a couple of hours passed and I worked the sh*t out of my task list. When to think about it, it seems close to meditation, because I<\/em> feel more relaxed than exhausted afterward<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em> – Kuba<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll repeat it once more: enjoyment is a key part of the flow state. So, if you\u2019re feeling unwell, if your backache is so bad you can\u2019t focus anymore, or if you\u2019re hungry beyond reason – please, take care of yourself. Don\u2019t force yourself to ignore it just for the sake of productivity. Health and wellness always come first.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re ready to try this concept and get the most out of your time, make sure to take the proper steps. Get your brain ready<\/strong> by sifting out the less important tasks, block your distractions, and set your mindset right<\/strong>. The rest will be a breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\/Side note: I ALMOST achieved the state of flow myself while writing this article. Sadly, I forgot it\u2019s the mowing-the-grass-every-single-day season. This horrific sound can wake up the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Next time you plan a productive day, try this trick to make it the best one yet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":31397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[92,91],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31384"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31384"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31384\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpkraken.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}