How to Get into Flow State (Full Guide)

What do:

- Albert Einstein (Theory of Relativity)

- Steve Jobs (Apple)

- Sam Altman (OpenAI)

Have in common?

Their ability to tap into flow on command

A guide on tapping into flow on command:

Credit to Rian Doris for the info

Flow is a state of consciousness that makes work feel effortless.

4 parts to flow:

- Flow Blockers - stop you from getting into flow

- Flow Proneness - how likely you are to get into flow

- Flow Triggers - optimal conditions for flow

- Flow Cycle - 4-step cycle of flow

An example:

- Flow Blockers: Distraction and Uncertainty

- Flow Proneness: Alpha Theta Brain Waves

- Flow Triggers: Challenge/Skills Balance

- Flow Cycle: Struggle Phase

The modern-day is full of flow blockers.

There is a simple way you can prevent flow blockers

- 2-3 hours on your highest priority task before touching your phone.

Soon being in a flow state will become more enjoyable than your phone addiction.

Flow proneness is your tendency to get into flow.

The easiest way to improve flow proneness is to wake up and start working within 90 seconds.

Your brain waves when you wake up are closest to the brain waves required to get into a flow state.

Flow Triggers are conditions that drive us into flow.

The more triggers the longer and deeper the flow state will be.

Here are some flow triggers:

- Clear Goals

- Immediate Feedback

- Challenge/Skills balance

I'll use basketball to show flow triggers in action

- Clear goals in basketball - shoot, pass, dribble.

- Immediate feedback from players' positioning & responses.

- Challenge varies - opponents may be more or less skilled.

The flow cycle consists of 4 phases

- Struggle - You first start a hard task you want to avoid the discomfort.

- Release - You reach the end of wrestling with the task.

- Flow - Instinctive rapid decision-making

- Recovery - Refueling neurochemistry that was required for flow.

How to apply what you learned in 2 steps

1. Wake up and instantly start working:

- Prevents flow blockers

- Enhances flow proneness

How to get the most out of your work session:

- set a clear goal for your work session the night before.

- make sure the task is slightly challenging about 4% above your skill level.

2. How to deal with the struggle phase:

- Task Persistence

How to train it:

Attention Span Stretching:

- Read an entire book even if you feel discomfort

You will gain better-sustained attention.

- Do a long meditation

Every time you want to stop, add another minute.

I appreciate you taking the time to read.