10 Ways to Maintain Flow State

The experience of consistent flow is integral to creativity and productivity. Still, it is important to understand that flow, this elusive and fickle state of mind, is something to be coaxed rather than forced. Flow can be best obtained when we are at our physical and mental best. Consider the following 10 ways to better initiate a flow state.

Quiet Your Mind

Internal dialogue can negatively impact the flow state. In order to promote a constructive and organized internal dialogue, consider writing down all your unrelated thoughts on a note pad to reference at a later time as these thoughts will only distract from the objective. Also consider mediation. Consistent meditation develops attention discipline in our brains, strengthening our ability to focus on singular tasks. An excellent breathing/meditation routine can be found here.

Balance Skill and Difficulty

The objective should be challenging but not too challenging. It is difficult to maintain a flow state when one is consistently facing unnecessarily obstacles outside of predefined expectations. Because of this, choosing the proper workflow is just as important - be sure to choose a manageable workload. The objective should be readily obtainable with a clear path to success and milestones along the way. Consider formulating a coherent plan of attack; one that includes incremental objectives leading to a larger goal.

Maintain a Clean Work Environment

Clean your work space - a cluttered space is a cluttered mind. As readers of this website may note, we are huge fans of Marie Kondo. Look into her books (and Netflix series) to find inspiration for maintaining a clean and organized living environment. Most importantly, ensure your desk/table space is clean, organized, and ideally, composed of items in muted colors to allow for an environment free of distractions.

Set Time Intervals

In the beginning, set time intervals alternating between work and relaxation. This is called a pomodoro technique. When deadlines are tight, I have found this method to be critical in properly allocating time. We often do not realize how much is wasted on frivolous tasks and petty distractions until we sit down and focus on time management. The pomodoro method is relatively straight forward - you can find a multitude of study-along videos on Youtube as well. The technique involves the following: study for a predetermined block of time (ex. 45 min) and then take a short break (ex. 15 min). Rinse and repeat. This method allows for strict study/work time with a bit of respite.

Consider Engaging in a Group Task

You do not have to necessarily go it alone to achieve flow. Per studies, “…Researchers from St. Bonaventure University asked students to participate in activities that would induce flow either in a team or by themselves” (Walker, 2008). Students rated flow to be more enjoyable when in a team rather than when they were alone. Students also found it more enjoyable if the team members were able to talk to one another. “This finding was replicated even when skill level and challenge were equal “(Walker, 2008). So, if you want to get more enjoyment and productivity out of flow, try engaging in activities together. The process of teaching and engaging in social learning is a fundamental aspect of human development.

Eliminate External Distractions

This applies to anything unrelated to the goal at hand. Proactively set up systems to avoid unwanted distractions such as turning off your phone or putting it on air plane mode, finding a quiet space, and creating a syllabus for your study session.

If you need your phone or computer for study but are worried about social media and general internet distractions, there are excellent applications such as “Freedom” that limit internet access capability. Additionally, new updates to IOS allow for users to limit access to certain social media or even create daily time limits.

Consider Your Music Options

House music, classic rock, R&B, you name it. Everyone has their preference. I prefer lofi hiphop, classical music, ambient music, or silence for study/work sessions as I become distracted by singing of any kind. Like myself, many like their music nondescript, taking a backseat to the main objective. Still, this is highly preferential. Take some time to experiment and see what works best for you. Also consider over the ear headphones (preferably noise canceling if possible) as they are a great option for taming the never-ending cacophony of daily life. While silence is often ideal for complex tasks, music can create a controlled setting in which the brain is conditioned to say “ok, now it’s time to work”.

Focus on a Single Task

As previously alluded, one should focus on a single task with a clear and achievable objective. This task will usually be complex and formidable but achievable within the designated time. Trying to obtain a flow state while multitasking is contradictory in nature. Once a single objective is identified and parceled into small achievable tasks, identify the why and how. Without the why and how, our minds can quickly become cluttered with nagging thoughts.

Consider a Small Caffeine Boost

First, remember to stay hydrated! Overdoing the caffeine may cause distracting jitters. For day-today tasks, I prefer a cup or two of matcha while more creative weekend endeavors require a caffeine boost in the way of a cup or two of pour-over coffee. Many prefer tea for extended study sessions - For green tea lovers, I would recommend gunpowder green tea.

Find Your Peak Time

When are you most focused? Everyone is different but with a healthy lifestyle, most have an opimal work time. I find my peak time is around the late morning mark from 10am to noon but many of my colleagues swear by late evenings due to the tranquility of the night and lack of social distractions. Still, I refuse to do any heavy mental lifting after dinner so this strategy isn’t for me. This illustrates a clear point: finding your flow is case-by-case so experimentation is key. Creating a strong work/rest rhythm through predetermined and consistent peak work periods allows our body and mind to prime for creativity and productivity.

Final Thoughts

Practice makes perfect! Inducing a flow state is like any other activity; it requires consistent repetitions day in and day out. A flow does not have to be limited to work either. I personally trigger flow state quickly when involved in sports and other physical activities such as climbing. Consider developing flow while practicing a new skill, learning a new subject, or executing daily tasks. It does not matter as long as you are focusing on a singular activity.