How to manufacture flow *

Flow is a magical feeling. Work turns into play. Time melts away. Some even say flow is the secret to happiness 🌟

But how do you find flow? It’s a finicky state, and there are a lot of conditions to get it right.

I use 5 principles to manufacture a flow state 🚀

First, what is flow?

🌊 Flow is the sweet spot where challenge meets skill.

When a task is too difficult, it causes anxiety; when it's too easy, boredom sets in.

But when you find the right balance, you can tap into the flow state and unlock peak performance. 🧠

🔑 Conditions for Flow 🔑

To achieve flow, you need:

• To know what to do next • To know how to do it • Freedom from distractions • Clear & immediate feedback • High perceived challenge & skill

(Csikszentmihalyi et al., 2005)

💡 Tips for achieving flow state:

1️⃣ Find the right challenge 2️⃣ Make the next action obvious 3️⃣ Incorporate instant feedback 4️⃣ Practice mindfulness 5️⃣ Reflect & adjust

🚀 Find the right challenge:

Choose tasks that push your limits yet remain within your skillset.

This balance helps sustain the flow state, unlocking your potential for peak performance.

🔍 Make the next action obvious:

Minimize decision fatigue by ensuring your next action is clear & easy to execute. This helps maintain focus & concentration throughout your task.

It's a delicate alchemy, balancing skill and challenge so plan it out before getting started.

🔄 Incorporate instant feedback

Instant feedback on your actions helps you stay engaged & make necessary adjustments.

This feedback loop fuels your flow experience.

🧘‍♀️ Practice mindfulness

Be present & fully engaged in the activity, fostering a deeper connection with your work. Eliminate distractions and reduce opportunities for your mind to wander.

Mindfulness enhances your flow experience & maximizes productivity.

✨ Reflect & adjust:

Continuously evaluate your progress & fine-tune the challenge-skill balance to optimize your flow. Dive into the flow state & watch your performance soar!