3 Steps to Get into a Flow State at Work on Command

Achieving a flow state at work, where you are completely absorbed and performing at your best, can transform your productivity and job satisfaction. Here’s a listicle to help you harness flow, based on insights from experts like Steven Kotler and Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

1. Integrate a High Flow Activity into Your Week

Why It Matters

Engaging in activities that naturally induce flow can enhance your overall ability to enter flow states in other areas of your life, including work.

How to Do It

• Identify Your High Flow Activity: Choose an activity you love and find deeply engaging, such as running, skiing, painting, or playing an instrument.

• Schedule It Regularly: Dedicate time at least once or twice a week to immerse yourself in this activity without distractions. Steven Kotler, for instance, goes skiing twice a week to rejuvenate his flow state for writing.

Benefits

• Reduces stress and enhances creativity.

• Trains your brain to enjoy and seek flow.

• Improves performance in other tasks by refreshing your mental state.

2. Focus on Your Most Important Task During Peak Times

Why It Matters

Maximizing your focus during your most productive time of day helps you achieve flow and accomplish critical tasks more efficiently.

How to Do It

• Identify Your Peak Focus Time: Determine when you feel most alert and focused, whether it’s early morning, late at night, or after a midday break.

• Block 90-Minute Sessions: Dedicate at least 90 minutes each day to work on your most important task without any distractions. This could be writing, project planning, or any significant work-related task.

• Take Short Breaks: Every 20 to 30 minutes, take a five-minute break to move around, stretch, or hydrate, but avoid checking your phone or emails.

Benefits

• Enhances concentration and productivity.

• Helps in making significant progress on key projects.

• Builds a habit of deep work, leading to higher quality outputs.

3. Prioritize Daily Recovery and Detachment

Why It Matters

Allowing your mind to recover from work stress and avoiding constant connectivity is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity and well-being.

How to Do It

• Designate Recovery Time Daily: Set aside time each day to disconnect from work and technology. This could involve spending time with loved ones, engaging in a hobby, or simply relaxing.

• Create a Tech-Free Zone: Avoid internet use during recovery periods to prevent distractions and enhance your ability to unwind.

• Reflect and Plan: At the end of the day, review your accomplishments, identify what worked well, and plan your key tasks for the next day.

Benefits

• Improves sleep quality and overall health.

• Enhances your ability to focus and perform well during work hours.

• Promotes a balanced life, reducing burnout and increasing satisfaction.

Putting It All Together

By incorporating these three steps into your routine, you can train your brain to enter flow states more frequently and maintain high performance. Here’s a quick summary:

1 High Flow Activity: Engage in a favorite activity weekly to boost your flow.

2 Peak Focus Time: Dedicate 90 minutes daily to important tasks during your peak mental state.

3 Daily Recovery: Disconnect from work and technology to recharge.

Embrace these practices to enjoy more productive, fulfilling, and balanced workdays. For further insights, explore Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s video on optimizing flow states and check out his free 30-day future self course.

Achieving a flow state at work, where you are completely absorbed and performing at your best, can transform your productivity and job satisfaction. Here’s a listicle to help you harness flow, based on insights from experts like Steven Kotler and Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

1. Integrate a High Flow Activity into Your Week

Why It Matters

Engaging in activities that naturally induce flow can enhance your overall ability to enter flow states in other areas of your life, including work.

How to Do It

• Identify Your High Flow Activity: Choose an activity you love and find deeply engaging, such as running, skiing, painting, or playing an instrument.

• Schedule It Regularly: Dedicate time at least once or twice a week to immerse yourself in this activity without distractions. Steven Kotler, for instance, goes skiing twice a week to rejuvenate his flow state for writing.

Benefits

• Reduces stress and enhances creativity.

• Trains your brain to enjoy and seek flow.

• Improves performance in other tasks by refreshing your mental state.

2. Focus on Your Most Important Task During Peak Times

Why It Matters

Maximizing your focus during your most productive time of day helps you achieve flow and accomplish critical tasks more efficiently.

How to Do It

• Identify Your Peak Focus Time: Determine when you feel most alert and focused, whether it’s early morning, late at night, or after a midday break.

• Block 90-Minute Sessions: Dedicate at least 90 minutes each day to work on your most important task without any distractions. This could be writing, project planning, or any significant work-related task.

• Take Short Breaks: Every 20 to 30 minutes, take a five-minute break to move around, stretch, or hydrate, but avoid checking your phone or emails.

Benefits

• Enhances concentration and productivity.

• Helps in making significant progress on key projects.

• Builds a habit of deep work, leading to higher quality outputs.

3. Prioritize Daily Recovery and Detachment

Why It Matters

Allowing your mind to recover from work stress and avoiding constant connectivity is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity and well-being.

How to Do It

• Designate Recovery Time Daily: Set aside time each day to disconnect from work and technology. This could involve spending time with loved ones, engaging in a hobby, or simply relaxing.

• Create a Tech-Free Zone: Avoid internet use during recovery periods to prevent distractions and enhance your ability to unwind.

• Reflect and Plan: At the end of the day, review your accomplishments, identify what worked well, and plan your key tasks for the next day.

Benefits

• Improves sleep quality and overall health.

• Enhances your ability to focus and perform well during work hours.

• Promotes a balanced life, reducing burnout and increasing satisfaction.

Putting It All Together

By incorporating these three steps into your routine, you can train your brain to enter flow states more frequently and maintain high performance. Here’s a quick summary:

1 High Flow Activity: Engage in a favorite activity weekly to boost your flow.

2 Peak Focus Time: Dedicate 90 minutes daily to important tasks during your peak mental state.

3 Daily Recovery: Disconnect from work and technology to recharge.

Embrace these practices to enjoy more productive, fulfilling, and balanced workdays. For further insights, explore Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s video on optimizing flow states and check out his free 30-day future self course.

Achieving a flow state at work, where you are completely absorbed and performing at your best, can transform your productivity and job satisfaction. Here’s a listicle to help you harness flow, based on insights from experts like Steven Kotler and Dr. Benjamin Hardy.

1. Integrate a High Flow Activity into Your Week

Why It Matters

Engaging in activities that naturally induce flow can enhance your overall ability to enter flow states in other areas of your life, including work.

How to Do It

• Identify Your High Flow Activity: Choose an activity you love and find deeply engaging, such as running, skiing, painting, or playing an instrument.

• Schedule It Regularly: Dedicate time at least once or twice a week to immerse yourself in this activity without distractions. Steven Kotler, for instance, goes skiing twice a week to rejuvenate his flow state for writing.

Benefits

• Reduces stress and enhances creativity.

• Trains your brain to enjoy and seek flow.

• Improves performance in other tasks by refreshing your mental state.

2. Focus on Your Most Important Task During Peak Times

Why It Matters

Maximizing your focus during your most productive time of day helps you achieve flow and accomplish critical tasks more efficiently.

How to Do It

• Identify Your Peak Focus Time: Determine when you feel most alert and focused, whether it’s early morning, late at night, or after a midday break.

• Block 90-Minute Sessions: Dedicate at least 90 minutes each day to work on your most important task without any distractions. This could be writing, project planning, or any significant work-related task.

• Take Short Breaks: Every 20 to 30 minutes, take a five-minute break to move around, stretch, or hydrate, but avoid checking your phone or emails.

Benefits

• Enhances concentration and productivity.

• Helps in making significant progress on key projects.

• Builds a habit of deep work, leading to higher quality outputs.

3. Prioritize Daily Recovery and Detachment

Why It Matters

Allowing your mind to recover from work stress and avoiding constant connectivity is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity and well-being.

How to Do It

• Designate Recovery Time Daily: Set aside time each day to disconnect from work and technology. This could involve spending time with loved ones, engaging in a hobby, or simply relaxing.

• Create a Tech-Free Zone: Avoid internet use during recovery periods to prevent distractions and enhance your ability to unwind.

• Reflect and Plan: At the end of the day, review your accomplishments, identify what worked well, and plan your key tasks for the next day.

Benefits

• Improves sleep quality and overall health.

• Enhances your ability to focus and perform well during work hours.

• Promotes a balanced life, reducing burnout and increasing satisfaction.

Putting It All Together

By incorporating these three steps into your routine, you can train your brain to enter flow states more frequently and maintain high performance. Here’s a quick summary:

1 High Flow Activity: Engage in a favorite activity weekly to boost your flow.

2 Peak Focus Time: Dedicate 90 minutes daily to important tasks during your peak mental state.

3 Daily Recovery: Disconnect from work and technology to recharge.

Embrace these practices to enjoy more productive, fulfilling, and balanced workdays. For further insights, explore Dr. Benjamin Hardy’s video on optimizing flow states and check out his free 30-day future self course.