Achieve Ultimate Productivity via this Guide to Finding a Flow

It's 9:00 AM. I sat down to work at 7:45 AM, and my phone already notified me 17 times. My dog let out 3 big barks. My partner stopped by my office to chat once. My slack pinged 4 times. Luckily, my email is silenced. All those distractions don't even account for internal interruptions like multitasking, worry, or day dreams. Does this sound familiar?

UC Irvine found that it takes on-average 23 minutes for most workers to get back to the task at hand after an interruption. Going further, a study from the Georgia Institute and Technology found that it takes an average of 10 to 15 minutes for programmers to resume code edits after an interruption.

Give yourself a moment to reflect on how often you experience interruptions, and how long it takes to get back to your train of thought. Is this you?

It doesn't have to be.

The simple antidote that silencing notifications, hiding your phone, and wearing headphones will squash distractions is wrong. If only mastering productivity was that easy. However, 'finding flow' is a proven strategy that results in unparalleled performance and fulfillment.

What is flow?

Flow is a state of mind categorized by heightened focus, performance, and creativity. Often used interchangeably with being "in the zone", flow blocks out the world and allows you to fully involve yourself with whatever you're doing. You feel increased confidence, motivation, productivity, and happiness all while being immersed in your work. Flow is sought after by developers, artists, and athletes alike for its performance enhancement and its well-being benefits.

Finding flow doesn't work like an on/off switch. It requires extra work and mental fortitude, but with practice, it's accessible to all. More on this to come. First, let's take a closer look at what to expect when experiencing flow.