The Flow 15 Principle

We all want to feel and perform at our very best whether it’s a basketball player taking the game-winning shot or a sales leader rallying their team to crush a quarterly goal. I call this operating in flow: that state where your mind and body work effortlessly together, allowing you to perform at your highest level.

But here’s the thing, you can’t reach flow without first mastering the skills your role demands.

In high-pressure moments, when everything is on the line, there’s no time to overthink. You need those skills to be automatic, almost second nature. That’s where the Flow 15 Principle comes in.

What Is the Flow 15 Principle?

The Flow 15 Principle is a personal commitment to deliberately practicing a specific skill for a minimum of 15 minutes every day. Why 15 minutes? Because it’s:

• Manageable: Anyone can find 15 minutes in their day.
• Focused: It’s not about doing more, but doing better.
• Effective: Consistent, deliberate practice pushes skills into your long-term memory, allowing you to perform essential skills at a mastery level without thinking about it.
• Controllable: This 15 minutes of deliberate practice is meant to be performed in addition to your team practice or work responsibilities. It's up to you to put in the reps.

How Does It Work?

Here’s the key: deliberate practice isn’t about just showing up or going through the motions. It’s about targeting weaknesses, working with intention, and measuring progress.

For example, as a former pro basketball player, I learned this firsthand. After a season-ending injury early in my career, I spent months of my recovery doing 15+ minutes of two-ball dribbling drills every day. Those sessions were short but focused. When I returned to the court, I was more skilled and confident than ever and it earned me a spot in the NBA Summer League and an invite to the Dallas Mavericks training camp.

That same principle applies whether you’re perfecting a jump shot or refining your sales pitch.

Why It Matters

If you want to operate in flow (effortlessly performing your best under pressure) you need to do the hard work first. Flow doesn’t happen by chance; it’s built through mastery.

Here’s what committing to the Flow 15 Principle gives you:

• Confidence: You’ve put in the work, so you trust your skills in the moment.
• Consistency: You’re ready to perform at your best, even under pressure. Get out of your mind and let the body take over.
• Growth: You’re not just staying in your comfort zone, you’re deliberately stretching and improving every day.

Your Challenge

Are you ready to commit to 15 minutes a day to master your craft? Whether you’re leading a sales team, coaching athletes, or chasing your personal goals, the Flow 15 Principle is your path to long-term growth.

Start today. Identify a skill you need to improve. Block out 15 minutes. Track your progress. And stay consistent. Do it for 30 days.

Because when the big moment comes, you won’t need to think...you’ll just perform.

Share this with your teams so they can start learning and implementing the Flow 15 Principle!

Let me know in the comments: what skill will you commit to practicing for 15 minutes a day?