Here are 6 tips to achieve a state of total flow at work.
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You've probably heard about the famous "flow state". That almost magical moment when work flows effortlessly, time fades away and you focus your entire attention on a single task.
It's like a kind of productivity enlightenment. Many describe it as "when passion meets purpose."
But here's where the problem usually lies: it's often only associated with what we're passionate about. Not everyone has an entirely passion-filled job, or even in a passion-filled job, not every task is exciting…
And since we love breaking paradigms both outside and inside any companywe thought it would be interesting to address this small yet increasingly popular internet belief. The idea that you can only reach a flow state by doing "what you love" is limiting.
What if we told you that it's actually a tool you can use at any moment?
While passion is romantic, emotional, and inspiring, it's also intermittent. It's excellent for giving meaning and purpose to our lives. On the other hand, "flow" is an immersive mental state. And it usually gives us satisfaction through our self-perception of productivity. It's a type of motivation, a psychological virtuous circle.
The state of flow is more like a tool that you can summon at certain moments if you have the right conditions, and it can even help develop new passions over time .
That's why we want to share some good practices with you today. Even if you're not necessarily "following your passion," you can more easily enter that state of deep focus.
1. Find the sweet spot of difficulty:
When we're doing tasks that are too easy, we tend to get bored. On the other hand, tasks that are too difficult can overwhelm or frustrate us. For complex tasks, look for activities or processes that make them easier to handle.
2.Free yourself from distractions:
To work at full capacity, we must temporarily step away from anything that might pull us out of focus. You can block time on your calendar to concentrate on tasks that require your full attention or use productivity sprint techniques like Pomodoro: work > rest > work.
3.Definition and clarity:
Plan your day, set priorities, goals, and objectives. Without a to-do list, you may lose focus and get sidetracked by less relevant tasks. When there's clarity, you know exactly where to start and how to wrap up your day.
4.Build streaks:
Good habits come in a row. For example, after having your morning coffee, start with the most challenging task, then read an article, and move on to the next task. Mixing routine habits with. complex and simple tasks is an excellent way to keep your momentum .
5.Tools and training:
In a way, the state of flow is your abilities working without distractions or obstacles. That probably won't happen with new tasks you're just learning to master. Explore new tools and knowledge to help unlock that flow state.
6.Pay attention to your triggers:
A sign that you're in your flow zone is when time flies. Learn to notice what kind of activities you are doing, how you do them, and what is around you. This might give you clues about the activities you most enjoy or the environmental conditions that inspire you to work uninterrupted.
And who knows, you might even discover a new skill to develop in your professional journey.
Now, you can approach any task from a more favorable environment to enter flow. It's not about forcing anything but about recognizing that not all tasks need to be fun, yet they still contribute to your goals. It's simply a matter of creating the right conditions so work flows on its own.
When trust and synergy exist within a team, the flow state becomes constant among its members. Oracle, the global tech giant, knows this well.
That's why we had the opportunity to organize a private Fuckup Nights event to help improve their processes and team integration. We opened up a conversation with their IT Architecture department about failures and lessons learned. The event quickly turned into a safe space to share challenges and experiences from their years working at Oracle:
"I want to thank you for the space. I loved the session and have received very positive feedback from the team. These are spaces we never have, and they truly recharge us."
— Sandra Daza, Oracle Mexico
Discover how to bring one of our customized events to your company and meet its unique needs:
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Let's transform our perception of failure and use it as a catalyst for growth.
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