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Flow + Pomodoro
The Super Productivity Stack
In my experience, you do your best work when you’re in a good mood and focused.
You can also see it as being a state of “Flow,” a term the psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined in a book with the same title. It’s one of the best tools for productivity.
It’s that state of mind where you’re completely immersed in the task at hand and lose track of time. You simply feel a deep sense of focus and satisfaction at being productive. As Csikszentmihalyi said in his book:
“The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times — although such experiences can also be enjoyable if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits voluntarily to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”
Flow is often associated with peak performance and creativity. It can be achieved when you find the right balance between challenge and skill level.
How do you know you have Flow?
When work is effortless and you’re making progress.
The hardest thing about Flow is getting in that mind-state. So here are a few tips:
- Start your day with purpose: Begin each morning by setting a clear intention for what you want to achieve. This clarity will drive your actions and keep you focused.
- Simplify your workspace: A clutter-free environment leads to a clutter-free mind. Organize your workspace to foster creativity and productivity.
- Focus on one thing at a time: Concentrate on one task to give it your full attention and best effort. Believe me, you’ll finish more that way.
- Find your challenge-skill balance. This balance is crucial for entering a state of Flow and enjoying the process. Focus on doing things that are challenging but still within your skill level.
- Practice Mindfulness: Even a few minutes of meditation can make a big difference. Try to be mindful of what you do, even when busy.
- Reflect on what you’ve accomplished: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. By doing this, you can encourage yourself to keep moving forward.
