Flow state
- Philip Brophy
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Immerse yourself • 2 min read
Global management consultants McKinsey conducted a 10-year study on productivity using over 5,000 executives. They found that executives were five times more productive when they were in flow. Amazingly, the same study showed that if we were to spend approximately 20% of our time in the flow state, it would result in productivity almost doubling! That’s one day a week or just over 1.5 hours per day!
Introduction
It can feel like we reap little rewards when we begin working on a new capability as our concentration is often diluted with other tasks and responsibilities.
So today, we want to expand on the concept of deliberate practice and highlight the importance of operating in a distraction free zone.
We like to call it the “flow” zone.
Fostering our flow
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Me-High Cheeks-Send-Me-High for our linguistic lovers!) is a household name in the field of psychology. He is well known for his work on ‘flow’ - this is a highly focused state where you are totally immersed in an activity while feeling and performing at your best. You are completely “in the zone”. Hours feel like minutes and it's a state in which you can achieve great things.
Flow’s impact on creativity may be it’s most important characteristic.
Mihaly conducted hundreds of interviews over the course of his career and found that there are common processes used by all the great creatives and intellects, no matter what their field is.
1. Immersion
They become completely immersed in solving a problem, applying every bit of focus they have on it.
2. Incubation
They take a break to allow ideas and thoughts to flourish under the radar of consciousness.
3. Insight
They experience the eureka effect or "aha" moment when new ideas start to surface.
4. Evaluation
They assess whether or not the new is valuable enough to start pursuing.
Let’s look at how this could play out in practice.
Flow state in practice
Let’s say we need to produce a strategy report for the next financial year.
We’ll do this by putting the following processes into action.
1. Immersion
Begin by setting aside some dedicated time for this report.
- Find a quiet space to work.
- Leave your phone in another room, put on your “out of office” for 2 hours and turn off email and Instant Message notifications.
2. Incubation
Be sure to give your brain a chance to recharge.
- Take a break once you feel you are lagging in concentration.
- Leave the room and get some exercise to let the ideas and thoughts on your strategy process and develop in your mind.
3. Insight
Next, record any new insights that come into your head.
- Capture any new ideas that you may not have considered during the first immersion period.
4. Evaluation
Finally, take some time to determine if any new ideas that pop up are worth exploring further.
- Research the ideas a little further and assess if they should be included in your report.
Key takeaways
Flow is a highly focused state where you are totally immersed in an activity while performing and feeling at your best.
Eureka moments come about after immersion periods.
We can almost double our productivity if we can spend a fifth of our working day in a flow state.
Think big, act small
What area of your role is most in need of “flow’?
Block off 2 hours on one of your quieter days. Remove all distractions and completely immerse yourself in your chosen task.
Content sources
Harvard Business Review, Create a Work Environment That Fosters Flow, Steven Kotler
McKinsey, Increasing ‘the meaning’ quotient of work, Susie Cranston and Scott Keller
Peak Performance, Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
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