Use These 6 Principles to Enter The Flow State in 2 Minutes.
Stop using willpower to focus.
Instead use timeless principles to create a focused environment… where you’ll enter the flow state effortlessly every time.
This is one of the easiest ways to get more productive because it reduces the level of discipline you need to do get things done.
Over the years I’ve tried dozens of tips and tricks… but only 7 principles have stuck with me in the long run.
Most of us think that we can’t focus because of a lack of willpower… that we’ll achieve our goals with just a bit more discipline.
We think that high performers are born with a stronger innate drive than us.
But we all have the same gray sponge between our ears… more or less.
The only difference is that certain people learn to work WITH their brain instead of against it.
At this point in my life I need very little discipline to sit down and write for 1–2 hours.
It doesn’t matter if I’m on a plane, at a coffee shop, or getting home from a long and exhausting work day.
I can still start writing and enter the flow state on demand even when it’s the last thing I want to do.
It’s all because I apply principles and take shameless advantage of unique tools that help me get there.
These principles don’t take a lot of time, energy, or willpower… but they work incredibly well to put you into the flow state whenever you want.
All you have to do is put them to use… and after a few times you won’t want to go back.
So let’s get started.
1. Program your phone to work for you instead of against you
When it comes to our smartphones, we’re fighting an uphill battle.
Scientists and marketers know how your brain works and are always developing new ways to steal as much time and attention from you as possible.
That’s why Americans will spend anywhere from 10–20 years of their waking hours on their phones.
Thankfully, there are plenty of easy and low-cost ways to fight this statistic and unlock a couple more decades of life.
Here are my essentials:
Add the screen time widget to your home screen
This will hold you accountable every time you check your phone.
You can’t ignore your phone addiction or blame a lack of time for your failures when you see 4 hours and 39 minutes of screen time.
You have the time in the day to reach your goals. All you have to do is decide what you’re willing to sacrifice for them.
Switch your phone display to Grayscale
The icons on your phone are designed to be colorful and engaging like pieces of candy.
Remove these unnecessary distractions by going to settings and switching the colors to black, white, and gray — called Grayscale.
Now, every time you look at your phone, it will appear depressing and unengaging. And you won’t feel the subconscious pull of the screen anymore.
Use app blockers like Opal
I love Opal… it takes advantage of the principle of friction by adding a layer of inconvenience to access time-wasting apps.
It also adds a competitive element between you and other users to gamify the process of removing a phone addiction and hold you accountable.
You can either block certain apps and websites for good or create recurring blocking sessions every day.
There are free options out there that do most of these features… but I’ve found that paying for an app blocker will make you more likely to use it. And the time you’ll save will make up for the cost many times over.
Disable badges and notifications on (almost) every app
You won’t notice how much mental energy those big red badges on your apps take up until you turn them off.
The same goes for the constant notifications coming from your phone. Every time you hear one of them, it will interrupt your ability to enter the flow state.
These are arguably the greatest obstacles to focus in the modern world.
The only notifications I have on are:
- Flight updates
- Trading and investing alerts
- Phone calls from my loved ones
Building systems to prevent these distractions will let you enter an elevated mental state where you can focus your energy only on what matters.
2. Use focus tools to your advantage
Once you’ve addressed distractions, you can start to use tools that will put your focus on the fast track.
The following tools are my favorites… but you’ll probably need to try these and others to find the best tools for you.
Full-screen mode
It’s so easy to press F11 on your computer and enter full-screen mode.
It’s effective because it removes the visual distractions of all the icons and notifications on your computer screen… similar to Grayscale on your phone.
And it will make it that much easier to focus on the single important task you’re doing.
Binaural beats
Using binaural beats might be the greatest productivity hack I’ve found so far.
If you get an app like Brain.fm that uses focus music backed by science along with some noise cancelling over-ear headphones, you’ll be able to press play and enter the flow state whenever you want.
It makes the work more engaging and blocks out any potential distractions you might face.
Soon an hour of quality work will fly by without you even noticing.
Nootropics
I was skeptical of how useful nootropics really are, so I tried a few of them.
The ones I bought at the store definitely helped me focus… but after a couple hours I felt mentally drained.
I prefer to use 100% natural supplements for focus and managing stress because they’re not as intense.
The point is, high-quality nootropics and supplements that you can buy at the store work very well, but it’s up to you to find what works best for you.
Desktop computer and nice chair
A professional desk setup will make a huge difference for your focus.
Hunching over a laptop and looking down at your screen puts a lot of strain on your back and neck. And it’s impossible to focus intently when you’re entire body is hurting. It’s that simple.
When you get an elevated desktop monitor and a comfortable office chair that supports your back, you’ll look up at your screen and have better posture… heightening your alertness and focus.
3. Build your “No” muscle
We get dozens of requests for our time and attention from other people throughout the day.
And we say yes either because we fear missing out or because we feel obligated to… which can create a lot of inner conflict when you make plans to work toward your goals.
Most people (even those who care about you) care very little about your ambitious goals and dreams for a better life.
They’ve accepted what’s normal… and can’t imagine why you’d want to deviate from that path.
When you start on your self-improvement journey, it’s hard to see those you care about look at you crazy, and it’s hard to face how little they understand what you’re after.
So that’s why it’s so important to build your “No” muscle.
You’ll feel like an asshole at first… but over time the people in your life will start to understand your decisions as you start producing results.
So if it’s not a “hell yes,” and it’s not an obligation that will destroy your relationships forever if you don’t accept, it’s a “no, thank you.”
4. Keep your space clean
This one is so simple that most people ignore it… but it’s one of the most valuable.
Take a moment before every work session to keep your space clean, both digitally and physically.
You don’t want open loops like:
- Washing the dishes
- Making your bed
- Taking out the trash
- Organizing your notes
Taking up your attention while you try to focus on more important things.
This also means keeping your space clear of distracting habits.
So don’t keep:
- Video games
- Junk food
- Alcohol
In the house if you have a problem with any of them.
Once you’ve removed these, it’s important to replace them with healthy alternatives that you actually enjoy… or it won’t be long before you fall back into old habits.
5. Plan for success
There is no right way to plan your life.
And if you’re like me, you jump between different strategies all the time.
The best way to plan your work and stay focused on lever-moving activities is to stick to the strategy you’ll actually use in the moment.
Not some tedious and overcomplicated new planner that you’re forcing yourself to use.
Some people like to write down their tasks on paper.
Others like to schedule their days on Google Calendar or Notion.
So if you have trouble sticking to a certain planning method, stop. Find one that you like more and don’t feel bad about it.
Right now I’m writing tasks down on a mini notepad I keep in my back pocket and it’s working just fine.
6. Immerse yourself in nature
No matter how pristine and optimized your work environment is, you’re still a human.
If you don’t go outside and get enough fresh air, sunlight, and exercise, your mental health and performance are going to suffer.
Make time to go for a long walk to reset your mind with no music or electronics. It’s the best cure for restlessness and a lack of inspiration.
I always get my best ideas in nature… while observing the world, taking deep breaths, and immersing myself in the present.
Everyone claims to have designed the perfect environment for productivity… one that’s guaranteed to lead you to success on auto-pilot.
But how many of these have you actually maintained over the years?
If you’re like me… it’s very few.
The real value is in the principles that stay constant over time.
It’s up to you to interpret them how you want and create the environment that’s ideal for your unique situation.
Because no one can tell you how to live… so keep experimenting and follow your gut.
P.S. if you liked this post and want to upgrade your mind and performace, you might want to check out my free newsletter on Substack. Join 70+ readers here.
