Are you familiar with the feeling of getting lost in your work, where time seems to fly by and you're fully engaged in what you're doing? This is the state of flow, and it's not only a great feeling, but it's also important for productivity and creativity. Read on to understand what flow is, why it's important, and how you can reach this state.

What is Flow?

Flow, also known as being "in the zone," is a mental state where a person is fully immersed in a task and completely absorbed in their work. When you're in a state of flow, you're not thinking about the outside world or any distractions; you're focused solely on the task at hand. This state of mind was first described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist, in the 1970s. Csikszentmihalyi found that people who experience flow describe it as a state of complete concentration, total involvement, and intense enjoyment.

Why is Flow Important?

Flow has a positive impact on productivity, creativity, and well-being. When you're in a state of flow, you're fully engaged in your work, which means you're less likely to be distracted and more likely to complete tasks efficiently. Flow also leads to increased creativity because you're more likely to come up with new ideas when you're completely focused on a task. Finally, flow has been shown to improve well-being and happiness because it provides a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

How to Reach Flow

Now that you know what flow is and why it's important, let's find our how you can reach this state.

1. Choose the Right Task

The first step to reaching flow is to choose a task that is challenging but not too difficult. If a task is too easy, yoeu might get bored (or you can use your time better automating it), and if it's too hard, you'll get frustrated and walk away. Choose a task that is just outside of your comfort zone, and you'll be more likely to reach flow. This should also be a task that can be completed by yourself, or without waiting for external cooperation to complete (talking to your credit-card provider, for example, could be an extremely important task, but it is not suitable for a flow technique, as you are dependent on external party.)

2. Eliminate Distractions

Flow requires concentration, and distractions can break your focus. Turn off your phone, close your email, and eliminate any other distractions that might pull you out of your work. If you're working in a noisy environment, consider wearing noise-canceling headphones or finding a quiet place to work. Some people do find music or environmental sounds helpful for focusing.

3. Set Clear Goals

Setting clear goals helps you stay focused on the task at hand. When you know exactly what you need to accomplish, it's easier to get into a state of flow. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and you'll be more likely to reach flow, as you need to be able to evaluate your progress.

4. Find Your Motivation

Flow is easier to reach when you're motivated to do the work. Find a reason why the task is important to you, whether it's because it will help you achieve a goal or because it's something you're passionate about. Use this motivation to fuel your focus and concentration. Time pressure could also assist in entering the flow, but it is not a good habit to rely on being pressed for time to accomplish tasks.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulnessis about being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Practicing mindfulness can help you stay focused on your work and avoid distractions. Take a few deep breaths before you start working, and try to stay present in the moment as you work.

6. Take Breaks

While it may seem counterintuitive, taking breaks can actually help you reach flow. When you take a break, you give your brain a chance to rest and recharge, which can make it easier to get back into a state of concentration. Take short breaks every 30-60 minutes, and use this time to stretch, walk around, or do something else that's relaxing. A known way to balance this is the Pomodoro method - work for about 25 minutes, and than take a 5 minute break which you use to clear your head and have fun. Then you can resume your work with more fuel in your tank.