Is ‘flow’ the secret to painless productivity?

When was the last time you felt like you were in the flow? Like the work you were doing, or the challenge you were facing, aligned perfectly with your abilities for optimal performance?

“Flow” is the sweet spot on the edge of difficulty, where you’re challenged a bit beyond your comfort zone but not so much that you struggle to continue. When you’re in flow, time passes differently, your ideas are firing, and you’re super focused.

We’ve all felt flow state before, but as workers, entrepreneurs, and community members struggling with the stresses and pressures of daily life, it’s worth the effort to learn to cultivate flow deliberately. And many are surprised to hear that it can be done. In fact, I’ve found that creating the conditions to get to a flow state has been an impactful way to conquer burnout and increase productivity and creativity. To get there, it’s important to understand what flow is—and what it isn’t.

How to make flow work for you?

We are experiencing an epidemic of burnout.

It can be especially rough for entrepreneurs and creators struggling to juggle a changing economy and an endless workload. I’ve seen many people take time off work to escape burnout, only to burn out again after they’ve returned.

That’s because addressing burnout by ceasing to work is rarely a long-term solution—even if a break can be a great starting point. A more sustainable approach is to try and make work satisfying again.

But how?

1. Set a clear vision of the future.

Focusing on the next hill won’t help a marathon runner much if she doesn’t know the course she’s supposed to be running. It’s the same in business. Avoid vague aspirations and instead set clear and measurable targets.

While I do write down specific goals, I also try to think more rationallyand set small, achievable milestones along the way. For example, if you’re trying to climb a mountain or get 100 customers, think about the first customer, or the first 100 yards uphill, and then the next.

This way you’re not limited by the end goal (and can keep adding steps beyond it) and each step along the way gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Very much like the MVP or agile approach in product development.

2. Break things down into smaller steps.

Another way to approach goals is to break down both the milestones and the steps to get there. For instance, if your goal is to have 100 customers, first focus on attracting 10.

Instead of getting ahead of yourself, focus on the things within your control—the steps you’ll take rather than the results of those steps. Breaking it down this way makes it more likely you’ll stay motivated as you achieve and complete those steps.

Sounds like MVP again? Explore the details and see the magic yourself. Book a free consultation call.

3. Remove distractions.

There are “Do not disturb” settings on practically every device and software you use. Turn them on. Then, set a time boundary around the work you’re doing. If you’re a writer, set a goal of writing for 30 minutes without interruptions.

If you’re a designer, create a brief, gather all the necessary materials, and work on the design without stopping. Your productivity will skyrocket when you’re not task-switching every five minutes. You can’t attain a flow state if you’re multitasking. Trust me!

4. Measure results—but not while doing the work.

Of course, tracking results is important. But it’s equally important to do this in a way that doesn’t interrupt the flow state you’ve worked so hard to achieve. Set a routine to avoid micromanaging your goals.

This could be a dashboard that shows daily or weekly revenue metrics, or establishing regular check-ins with your team to review progress.

Unfortunately, flow can be elusive even if you’ve set the table perfectly. Fires must be put out and sometimes avoiding distractions is impossible. Beyond that, some of the biggest obstacles to getting in flow are often internal: negative self-talk, doubts, and fears.

By cultivating a flow state, you can achieve “productive happiness”: a state in which you feel energized, motivated, and fulfilled by your work.

And as a bonus, you’ll likely be more successful in the process.