Flow is an optimal state of consciousness where you feel your best and perform your best. Introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
- Complete concentration on the task
- Clarity of goals and immediate feedback
- Transformation of time (speeding up or slowing down)
- Intrinsic reward
- Effortlessness and ease
- Balance between challenge and skills
- Merged action and awareness
- Sense of control
- Clear goals and progress
- Immediate feedback
- Balance between ability level and challenge
- Removal of distractions
- Uninterrupted time blocks (90-120 minutes)
- Choose challenging but achievable tasks
- Eliminate distractions completely
- Set clear, specific goals
- Create optimal environment
- Use rituals to signal focus time
- Allow adequate time (minimum 90 minutes)
- Dramatically increased productivity
- Higher quality output
- Reduced time to complete tasks
- Increased satisfaction and motivation
- Better learning and skill development
- Block calendar for deep work
- Turn off all notifications
- Communicate boundaries to colleagues
- Choose optimal time of day
- Match task difficulty to skill level