{"id":16679,"date":"2021-01-06T17:06:28","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T15:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hubgets.com\/blog\/?p=16679"},"modified":"2021-01-06T17:06:29","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T15:06:29","slug":"getting-into-the-flow-fact-or-fiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hubgets.com\/blog\/getting-into-the-flow-fact-or-fiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting into the Flow: Fact or Fiction?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You?re sitting at your desk. The phone rings and breaks your concentration. When you pick it up, you notice it?s nearly lunchtime, and you?ve been working for a few hours, without distractions. While getting up from the chair, your legs feel completely numb. You take stock of the project on your screen and realize you?re almost done. At a quick glance, you also realize that it?s done well \ud83d\ude00 Congratulations, you’ve just experienced the flow state!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Getting<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The flow is a highly researched and contested concept, where a person is totally absorbed in a challenging yet rewarding activity. In a 1996 interview<\/a> with Wired magazine, Mih?ly Cs?kszentmih?lyi, a psychologist considered its founder, defines the state as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

?Being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your whole being is involved, and you’re using your skills to the utmost.<\/em>? <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Debunking myths with facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The flow state is not a productivity myth. However, there are many misconceptions about getting there. Let’s go deeper into the subject and separate fact from fiction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fact: Limit distractions to get into the flow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, distractions are common in workplaces. A Udemy report<\/a> found that 54 percent of workers aren?t performing well due to distractions and 50 percent say distractions make them significantly less productive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distractions impede flow. When working, interruptions limit concentration and move your train of thought away from the task at hand. This also causes lackluster results. A 2005 study<\/a> emailed participants taking an IQ test and compared the results with a group that wasn?t messaged. The distracted group scored 10 points lower.

To get into the flow, stop multitasking. Limit external distractions like your mobile notifications or an open email inbox. Here’s how to stay calm and keep your focus at work<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fiction: You can do it with any project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jeanne Nakamura is another professor and flow expert, as well as a colleague to Mih?ly Cs?kszentmih?lyi. In The Concept of Flow<\/em> included in the Handbook of positive psychology<\/em>, Oxford University Press, they confirm that tasks must provide just the right amount of challenge for you to get into the flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n