In the state of flow, we lose track of time and are fully immersed in the activity being performed. You have probably experienced that you got so involved in one of your favorite activities that you completely forgot about time and felt great afterwards. The goal is to create such a state of flow as often as possible even at work, to be more efficient and at the same time enjoy the activity.

How to get into a state of flow?

Shaffer, who introduced the theory of flow in psychology in 2013, described several conditions for its induction. It is essential that the activity is a demanding but manageable challenge, during which we see immediate results and no one interrupts us .

We need a challenge because otherwise we would soon become bored. However, we can't take too big a bite at once, because after a while too much effort would start to frustrate us and we would give up. Immediate results produce dopamine and stimulate the brain's reward center, which is why we enjoy them so much. Finally, there must be an absence of distractions, which allows full concentration for a longer period of time.

How to use flow when working and learning?

• Make your task a challenge . Set a higher goal, sign up for a course – anything that challenges you. Don't know how? Tell your supervisor or professor about a more challenging assignment. You will definitely get a positive response.

• If, on the other hand, the task is too difficult and you are hopelessly spinning in circles when solving it, seek help. Either from a more experienced colleague or classmate, or from clever uncle Google. New information or a different perspective on things will help you overcome obstacles and you can continue the flow.

• If the activity is a challenge, I know how to do it, but I don't understand its meaning, so I won't last long with it. We need to see meaningful results . I also see the words immediately as I write this article, know what the goal is and can evaluate in real time how I'm doing.

• The last and very common stumbling block is distraction. Today's hyper-communication age full of notifications and open-space offices is a breeding ground for interruptions every few minutes. We cannot do without clear rules for work or learning. We recommend that you plan a time for flow (undisturbed work) in advance and notify those around you so that they do not try to reach you at this time. The "do not disturb" mode on the phone makes sure of that.

Flow with Focus

One hack that is guaranteed to help you get into a flow state is to use Focus 2.0 . The formulation of this product is specially designed to increase focus, concentration, perception and information processing. You will thus more easily get into a state that allows you to do more work in less time.

"If you are interested in something, you will focus on it, and if you focus attention on anything, it is likely that you will become interested in it. Many of the things we find interesting are not so by nature, but because we took the trouble of paying attention to them."

― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life