Work productively in flow: Be productive

I’m really focused and happy right now as I’m writing this blog post. The text flows directly into the keyboard based on my knowledge and experiences. Somehow effortlessly. I’m on a roll right now. No writer’s block, just pure productivity. Towards the result: This is the flow! This is how I prefer to work. And you can have it too!

Flow? Was it the flow?

What we all would like to have at work: we are completely absorbed in our task, we are inspired and motivated. We know what result we want to achieve. And you can count on our know-how and expertise. This means that there is no stress that could cause us incalculable demands.

The mix is ​​right: our proven skills plus a few little extras that we still have to work on and explore. Like salt in soup. So that we don’t get bored.

When we work like this, time flies. Almost like jogging, playing a video game or taking a quiz. Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi discovered the phenomenon and describes the flow this way:

• You focus completely on the one thing you are currently working on.
• You know exactly what you want to achieve and get quick feedback that you are on the right track.
• You completely forget about time.
• What you do gives you the thing itself, the good feeling it gives you, a reward.
• You work stress-free and relaxed.
• The challenges match your skill.
• You are one with your actions, there is no possibility of distraction.
• You feel in control of the process.

We would all like to work like this. But you don’t automatically get into this flow. But with these tricks it works without any problems.

Get into flow with these five steps

1. Your goal in sight

Before you get started, you need a specific goal that you want to achieve in this work session. It’s best done as a standalone activity (like this article I’m currently writing for you). For big goals that can’t be achieved in a day, you set goals. But a manageable list of tasks is also appropriate. The main thing is that you know what result you want to achieve.

Make sure your to-dos are interesting to you. That you have some interesting open questions that you still need to resolve before they are resolved. So you won’t be bored. But it shouldn’t be too exciting either: if you have to research every step of your task or if your daily project/workload contains too many new elements, stress will arise.

2. Make sure you start the flow efficiently

You know best what it means for you. If you do the “bad” things right at the beginning (after which things can only get better), you start using the “eat the frog first” method and tackle the hardest task the day has to offer right at the beginning.

If you’re not a frog person, start preparing for the morning after the evening. Stop your work at a point where it is already clear what will happen next. No guesses what to do next. Here’s how to benefit from the Hemingway effect.

Support yourself and write down what you want to do tomorrow.

No matter how you start your flow work session: please don’t do warm-up exercises like Instagramming or checking emails. Work is only what contributes to your daily goal.

3. Eliminate distractions and work comfortably

Make it easier for you to get into the flow! If your desk only holds what you specifically need to work today, you won’t be tempted to quickly fill the tray. So it’s best to tidy up your desk in the evening. This is true even if you are not a true “hollow carpenter”.

Also make sure your workplace is comfortable. An ergonomic chair and table, everything you need at hand, good light and pleasant warmth help you concentrate on your work. Because they don’t distract you (if you’ve ever sat at your desk shaking, you know what I mean).

Anything that doesn’t distract you will help you get into the flow and work productively and stress-free!

4. Get feedback – from yourself

If you want to complete a task optimally, you always need confirmation that you are on the right path towards your goal. This doesn’t mean asking others to pat you on the back because you’ve already written 1000 characters of text. This is what you can do for yourself: continue to notice what you have already accomplished.

How much of your daily work/workload has been completed satisfactorily. Or reward yourself by placing a “done” check mark in your notebook (your app) for every 1,000 of the 4,000 characters of text you plan to write today.

5. It doesn’t matter what it is: work for yourself

Especially with unpleasant tasks or projects that have been given to us (tax returns, customer orders from hell, fitness training in the morning), it seems difficult or impossible to get into the flow. Everything in us refuses to start because it is

• uncomfortable
• difficult
• inscrutable
• boring and annoying
• infinite

appears. Everything else is more fun and less stressful, but not that! How should you get into the flow?

This is where the human reward system comes into play. We place more value on enjoyable activities and readily available outcomes than those that await us after a long period of abstinence. So it’s better to have a sparrow in our hands than a pigeon on the roof that we have to struggle to catch. However, there is an effective trick to prepare for «catching pigeons»:

Whatever it is: make it yours!

Because there must be something for you, otherwise you wouldn’t have to deal with the task. Whether it’s a positive result or avoiding a penalty. So start looking for what it could be:

• Your tax return gives you a nice refund that you can use to finance your holidays (or you avoid late payment interest and an unfavorable budget for next year)
• The sell order brings cash in hand and a good reference for you. Which attracts even more customers.
• Exercise will help you lose weight (or lower high blood pressure).

Now you know what you are working towards and can connect emotionally with the outcome. How good will you feel if you persevere? You can picture it in your imagination and fall back on it when you get out of flow.

Hey, that was fun! I was really in the flow while writing and I hope these tips will help you enjoy work in a relaxed and productive way.

One more tip from me: When you work during peak hours, everything works even better. I am a typical lark and spend my creative time in the early hours of the morning. The flow is therefore almost pre-programmed. Routine can also help you: before you sit at your desk, you are perfectly dressed for the working day. Even when you work from home, this gives you the feeling that things are starting now!