Using your flow state for deep work (3/3)
Today you'll learn how to use your flow states to do your best work.
“Deep Work” is a term coined by Cal Newport in his book titled "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World." In a nutshell, deep work is often the outcome of entering a flow state.
In the last edition, we discussed how you can apply your new-found focus to enter flow states - a state of deep focus characterised by complete absorption and energised focus on a task. You might call it ‘being in the zone’, or ‘in the moment’.
Flow states can come in many situations, not just when you’re working - you might enter a flow state when playing sport, when engrossed in a stimulating conversation, or even when playing a computer game.
Today I want to talk about how you can direct your flow states in order to do your best work and make the most of your productive time. This builds on the knowledge you’ve gained from the last two newsletters and helps you to apply it in a very directed and practical sense. To make sure that you get next week’s edition in your inbox, hit subscribe:
You’ll learn how to prepare yourself to get the most from a session of deep work, as well as how to maintain this state for longer.
So let’s dive deep and do some deep work!
What is Deep Work?
Deep work is a state of flow in which your attention is highly focused on a specific task. It’s a state of uninterrupted focus in which you do cognitively demanding and challenging work that results in high-quality and impactful output.
You will find that approaching your deep work with purpose and structure will get you the best results. Set specific goals for your session and make sure that your time is free of distractions. Deep work is also a chance to purposefully stretch your abilities - you need to find the right balance between challenge and competence to achieve this peak performance.
What’s the best way to prepare for deep work?
Last week, we discussed how to best prepare yourself in order to enter a flow state. To recap:
Scheduling your work for when your energy levels are highest.
Plan ahead to remove distractions ahead of time.
Identify and account for any challenges or roadblocks ahead of time.
Curate a flow-inducing playlist of music that helps you to concentrate.
There are some additional steps you can take to prepare yourself for some deep work:
Set clear goals and priorities - Clearly define what you want to accomplish during your deep work sessions. Making a plan and having specific objectives will help you stay on track and make the most of your focused time.
Set aside a specific block of time - It’s often said that a task will expand to fill the available amount of time. Decide ahead how long you’re going to spend on this task, and do everything you can to finish on time. Blocking out this time will focus your mind on completing the task by giving you a sense of urgency. But…
Set realistic expectations - It’s important to also be realistic about what you can actually achieve during this time. You’re aiming to find the balance between challenge and competency. If you feel too rushed then you won’t be able to actually do your best work, so be realistic and avoid burnout.
Stay hydrated and nourished - Don’t underestimate the impact that your diet can have on your level of focus. Eat a nutritious meal beforehand, keep some healthy snacks on standby, use caffeine sparingly (if at all), and stay hydrated. This helps you to sustain high levels of mental energy for longer.
What’s the best way to maintain a state of deep work?
Preparing yourself to reliably do deep work is one thing, but it’s also important to consider how you can maintain such a state for longer periods.
The most important things you can do to keep your focus on the task at hand are:
Minimize multitasking - Avoid switching between tasks or trying to juggle multiple activities at once. Focus on one task at a time to maintain deep concentration.
Practice active engagement - Ask questions, seek solutions, and immerse yourself fully in the work. Try to learn the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ as well as the ‘what’ in order to keep your engagement and focus as high as possible.
Take short, planned breaks - Schedule regular breaks to rest and recharge. Brief intervals of relaxation can help prevent mental fatigue and maintain focus. Even if you’re feeling fully in the zone, taking a short break will increase the amount of deep work you can do that day, but try to find a sensible stopping point.
So, that concludes this mini series of newsletters taking you all the way from building your focus down to the depths of deep work. I hope you’ve found this useful!
Check back in next week for some more great tips to help you find fulfilment and get the most from your life.
Rich