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3 Steps to Reach Flow

Anyone can achieve flow

By Adam SkaliPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

Flow is the state where we have just the right amount of work. It is the state where we feel like we are fully immersed in the present, it is the state where whatever we are doing comes together in ways we didn’t imagine. And this state can be created if we know the rules of the game

1)Set time for deep work

Choose times of the day where you can focus singlemindedly on a certain task. Apart from that task there is nothing more during those hours. By planning the time you have for certain tasks and what you need to accomplish during those time slots you can get rid of any extra information that could hinder your focus

Flow is born out of living in the present and getting rid of distractions so block time where you can’t be distracted and where you can concentrate only on what you have to do. By doing this and knowing the results you need to have by the end, for example, writing an article in 40 minutes, you can prioritize and reach your goal

2)Don’t try to do more than one task

In the same vein as the first step, doing a single task can prevent loss of focus. Getting rid of other tasks can reduce the cognitive overload and the loss of time that comes when we switch tasks

It has been proven, that switching from one task to another can result in losing more time than we want to admit. By limiting this we can be more efficient and get way more done in less time, because now we are really doing what we have to

3)Priorize and measure

Concentrate on the essential tasks. Find the small number of tasks that really matter and dedicate your time to those tasks. What is it that you need to accomplish for the day to be really productive?

What do you have to do that you have been leaving untouched? What is it that you are trying not to think of?

Find the tasks that come to mind and classify them as essential tasks. Describe what you have to do to accomplish them. By focusing on the essential tasks you will create peace of mind, and this is really important to concentrate. If you have thoughts popping up constantly it becomes really hard to do it

When you finish the tasks find the things that didn’t let you be as good or efficient as you wanted to be. Find the things that kept pulling you out of the moment. By understanding what is hindering you, you can get rid of the friction that is created when you think about it.

Flow in the end is a state where friction is as low as possible. It is a state where we can progress at our own pace. Try to do this daily or weekly, or even yearly (Sam Altman from Y Combinator says he does this), and you can find the things that can help you get better at that skill and enjoy it more

Because really, the only reason we don’t enjoy work as much as we would like is because of the friction. So take the time and decide, decide what you have to do to make you journey a smooth one

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