Flow, the state of 'being in the zone', and the secret of being 500% more productive.

Flow is a mental state of being in which a person is fully immersed in what they are doing. Flow was first coined by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. When in flow, the sense of time usually passes very quickly and the individual becomes very productive and creative.

According to author and journalist, Steven Kotler, who has researched flow extensively, flow has been shown to make executives 500% more productive and is a great way to optimize productivity. It isn't completely different from what monks may experience during meditation and other spiritual activities - the prefrontal cortex shuts down, creativity and productivity greatly increases, and the sense of time becomes irrelevant. For leaders or creators, flow can be a great way to get more work done in a shorter amount of time.

If you are looking to increase your productivity, try incorporating some Flow activities into your day. Here are 4 ways you can get 'in the flow' quicker.

1. Break up your work into smaller tasks - When you are faced with a large project, it can be overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. By breaking the work down into smaller tasks, you make the project less daunting and more manageable. Once you have completed a task, you can move on to the next one, which will help keep you focused and in flow.

2. Remove distractions: Once you've found your Flow activity, it's important to remove any distractions that may prevent you from fully immersing yourself. This may mean turning off your phone, putting away your laptop, or closing your door so you can focus.

3. Set a time limit: It can be helpful to set a time limit for your Flow activity. This will help you to stay focused and not get sidetracked. Flow activities can be very addictive, so it's important to set boundaries.

4. Have a clear goal in mind: When you start your Flow activity, have a specific goal in mind. This can be anything from writing for a certain amount of time to completing a project by a certain date. Having a clear goal will help you to stay focused and motivated.

This all may seem like just being productive and using your time wisely. While true, Flow State is the actual goal and the other results are the by-products. The Flow State of mind is where many geniuses, CEOs, spiritual leaders, etc., get their insights and it can be learned if you are willing to do so.

Give Flow a try and see how it affects your productivity. Chances are, you'll be surprised at just how much you can get done when you're 'in the zone.'