Creative flow is a state we all enjoy and want to experience regularly. While for some people it is easy to get into the zone, others may struggle a bit which is often due to suboptimal external and internal conditions. This article entails a few tips to help you get started.

First and foremost, you need to create the optimal conditions for you to get to your flow state. To set the right mood and atmosphere from the beginning, I would recommend listening to some relaxing background music while proceeding with your read. Coaccidentally, I placed just the right music video for you here. Currently, I enjoy listening to the relaxing sounds of Subtle Sound Studio. So hit the play button and have a pleasant time reading 🤓

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What is creative flow?

Flow resonates with a mental state in which someone is fully present and also immersed in a task. This type of mental state is a very strong contributor to creativity. When inflow, it feels as if you and the universe become one while outside distractions recede from consciousness.

In 2004, psychologist Csikszentmihalyi said the following in his TED talk:

“You know that what you need to do is possible to do, even though difficult, and sense of time disappears, you forget yourself, you feel part of something larger. And once the conditions are present, what you are doing becomes worth doing for its own sake.”

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of flow, a very interesting Swedish study on classical pianists was conducted in 2010. During this study researchers observed and analyzed the behavior and physical state of musicians who entered “the zone”. They found that the participants exhibited a deep and calm breathing rhythm along with a slowed heart rate. But most astoundingly, the facial muscles responsible for smiling were activated.¹

A flow-like state stretches far beyond what can be observed empirically. Qualitative data — e.g. from in-depth interviews — revealed that flow, in general, is linked with personal well-being and happiness, while at work it is more so associated with a high level of productivity and motivation. Not every person is naturally prone to flow. So if you are struggling to get into the zone, I suggest you try out the following…

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1. Develop relevant skills

Let’s be honest! Sometimes we have to face the fact that we are not skilled enough yet to meet the challenge set in front of us. If that’s the case, we will — ipso facto — experience a state of anxiety rather than a state of flow. Hence, I advise you to take enough time to hone and develop the relevant skills needed without letting the pressure get in your way.

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2. Allocate enough time

Time is not just imperatively crucial to develop and enhance your skills but also to allow yourself to really get into your work. Thus, set aside sufficient time for it as well. Otherwise, you will find yourself spending more time trying to empty your mind than actually working on your tasks. This will quickly create a conflict not solely with your level of productivity but also with your spare time. Therefore, it is pivotal to find a healthy balance between your commitments and your private life.

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3. Go on a quick walk

I highly recommend you to get out of your four walls whenever your head is foggy and you feel stuck mentally; especially, when you live nearby or right in nature you should be doing this. Many people, including me, find going on lunch break walks a great means of calming their minds. Plus, you will get in some fresh air which makes you feel alive.

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4. Listen to relaxing music

As proven through the study on musicians mentioned above, a certain type of music can help you enter a creative flow where you feel super productive yet relaxed. Personally, I prefer to listen to peaceful and relaxing music as it takes negative stress away from me, helps me to calm down and focus on the relevant things at that very moment. If you turned on the music video I shared with you at the beginning of this blog post, you might already experience peace, relaxation, and deep focus potential.

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5. Practice meditation

Practicing mindfulness as part of your morning routine for a few minutes has proven to be highly effective. Try to focus your awareness on your surroundings and try to quiet your mind of outside distractions. I know from my own experience that cutting off your thoughts isn’t that easy initially. But only practice makes perfect and it will get easier every time, promise! Again, I hope you are still listening to the relaxing music video in the background as you read along. If not, there is still time to turn it on and get your creative flow started.

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6. Cut out any distractions

Another very important factor is to choose a quiet workspace that is as clear of clutter as possible. Working in chaos won’t be sustainable for your level of productivity, trust me! Furthermore, you should also put aside other external distractions such as your phone. Your phone won’t start crying if you don’t pay attention to it for a couple of hours.

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7. Don’t forget to have fun

The most paramount part of a flow state is the intrinsic enjoyment of the activity. Remember why you love what you do and don’t stress yourself too much about the end results or potential deadlines. Just have fun along the way! In most cases, you will find that you created something even better than you would have expected initially, or thought you were capable of.

Creative flow is a mysterious state of personal well-being, calm- and happiness as well as high levels of productivity. The more you incorporate these tips into your daily work schedule, the easier it will become for you to enter the creative zone frequently. With that being said, it’s a wrap. If you enjoyed this article, don’t forget to clap. I would greatly appreciate your support. Enjoy the rest of your day and I will talk to you soon 👋🏻

— Carina

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References:

¹ Robb, A. (2019, February 5th). The ‘flow state’: Where creative work thrives. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190204-how-to-find-your-flow-state-to-be-peak-creative