Have you ever found yourself so fully immersed in an activity that nothing else matters in the moment and time just flies by? When you just feel complete control and mastery over what you’re doing? This is called being in your flow state or being ‘locked in’. Being in your flow state can help increase your speed while working, unlock the creative parts of your brain, and allow you to be absorbed in a task. It sounds too good to be true, but locking in isn’t as hard as you might think. Here’s how you can lock in:
Firstly, set a clear goal you want to achieve before doing anything. A specific goal can help you direct your focus to the things you need to do and help you understand whether you’re actually completing your task or just procrastinating. When you know what you need to accomplish, it’s a lot easier to get in a flow.
Secondly, eliminate all distractions. How many times have you found yourself grabbing your phone while completing a task? Notifications or doom scrolling are obviously our biggest enemies when we want to lock in, so do whatever you have to in order to be focused on your work. This could mean turning on “Do Not Disturb” mode or putting your phone out of sight. Sounds around us can also be distracting, so finding a quiet space where you can concentrate is important as well. Getting rid of all the distractions is a crucial step because, well, they distract us from completing our tasks and waste our precious time on unimportant things.
Thirdly, avoid multitasking. Multitasking won’t lead you to completing the multiple tasks you originally wanted to complete. Even if you manage to finish everything, the quality of your work will often suffer. Trying to juggle multiple tasks is very counterproductive because it forces you to split your focus. People often multitask because they feel pressed for time, but the flow state actually increases your speed and efficiency. It’s much better to focus 100% on the most important task you can do and get the best quality you can get.
Lastly, form a routine before entering the flow state. To create a routine, pick a time of the day where you’re the most focused. Some people are early birds and some are night owls. Then, pick an activity that would help you relax before locking in, like showering, listening to music or reading. Over time your brain will make an association with certain routines and you are able to lock in quicker and easier.
By following only these four steps, you will find it much easier to enter your flow state. So stop tweaking and lock in.