{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1","title":"Stephen Ajulu","home_page_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/","feed_url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/tags/deep-work/feed.json","description":"Hello, I'm Stephen Ajulu, a seasoned multidisciplinary tech professional with over a decade of experience. I build impactful solutions using design, tech, and engineering in the pursuit of impact.","icon":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/me.jpg","authors":[{"name":"Stephen Ajulu","url":"https://stephenajulu.com","avatar":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/me.jpg"}],"items":[{"id":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/5-simple-steps-to-achieve-flow-state-and-achieve-deep-work/","url":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/posts/5-simple-steps-to-achieve-flow-state-and-achieve-deep-work/","title":"5 Simple Steps To Achieve Flow State and achieve Deep Work","summary":"Here\u0026rsquo;s how I achieve flow state and do deep work/study and how you can too.\nFirst of all\nWhat is Flow State? Flow is a state of mind in which a person becomes fully immersed in an activity. Positive psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi describes flow as a state of complete immersion in an activity.\nWhile in this mental state, people are completely involved and focused on what they are doing.\nThe 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\u0026rsquo;re using your skills to the utmost,\u0026quot; Csíkszentmihályi said in an interview with Wired magazine.\n","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eHere\u0026rsquo;s how I achieve flow state and do deep work/study and how you can too.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst of all\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-flow-state\"\u003eWhat is Flow State?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlow is a state of mind in which a person becomes fully immersed in an activity. Positive psychologist \u003ca href=\"https://www.verywellmind.com/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-biography-2795517\"\u003eMihály Csíkszentmihályi\u003c/a\u003e describes flow as a state of complete immersion in an activity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile in this mental state, people are completely involved and focused on what they are doing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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\u0026rsquo;re using your skills to the utmost,\u0026quot; Csíkszentmihályi said in an interview with \u003cem\u003eWired\u003c/em\u003e magazine.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"benefitscharacteristics-of-flow-state\"\u003eBenefits/Characteristics of Flow State\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA heavy sense of concentration\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSense of clarity\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreater happiness\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncreased engagement\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproved performance\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore creativity\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreater enjoyment and fulfillment\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the steps of achieving flow state or deep work as others like to call it:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"1-remove-distractions\"\u003e1. Remove Distractions\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEliminate all distractions:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitch off your phone or put it in airplane mode\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClose your room door\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePut on some headphones\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake sure you are well hydrated and have eating to your fill\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJournal to avoid internal distractions\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"2-challenge-and-skill-balance\"\u003e2. Challenge and Skill Balance\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlow state requires a balance between one’s skills and the challenge at hand: if the challenge is too demanding, we become disheartened and can experience negative emotions such as anxiety. Conversely, if a task is too easy, we become disinterested and indifferent – when we experience flow we are actively engaged but not overwhelmed by a challenge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"3-try-some-music\"\u003e3. Try Some Music\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoFi, Jazz, Classical Music(Mozart, Beethoven), and White Noise have all been shown(scientifically) to increase mental performance, focus and boost concentration. Try finding something that\u0026rsquo;s not too complicated or with lyrics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are some examples:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ks9FWJ7COA\"\u003eInspire Yourself by Neotic\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOy3G65VoRA\u0026amp;pp=sAQA\"\u003eMonday Jazz by Jazz and Bossa Collection\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qap5aO4i9A\"\u003eLoFi HipHop Radio - Beats to relax/study/work to by Lofi Girl\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgpJVI3tDbY\u0026amp;t=7463s\"\u003eBest of Classical Music by Just Instrumental Music\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMfPqeZjc2c\"\u003eWhite Noise by Relaxing White Noise\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"4-set-up-your-environment\"\u003e4. Set Up Your Environment\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMake sure:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThere\u0026rsquo;s water and quick snacks\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe time is perfect when you are at your biological peak - Mine\u0026rsquo;s early in the morning before anyone has woken up or late at night when everyone\u0026rsquo;s asleep. Notice the trend. People are often sleeping hence conquers rule no 1, no distractions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight some candles, incense, or some diffuser of sorts - This prepares the mood and sets the stage. Research more about the kind of scents that make your brain more in tune with work. My fragrance/scent of choice is Sandalwood. Got some sandalwood + natural pyrethrum incense sticks. This clears 2 steps 1. eliminating distractions: mosquitos and 2. propping up my environment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake sure everything you\u0026rsquo;ll need is at arm\u0026rsquo;s length\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep a small notebook to jot down things you may encounter as during flow state you may realize a sharp rise in the brain\u0026rsquo;s ability to find solutions and ideas.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"5-dont-multitask-or-procrastinate\"\u003e5. Don\u0026rsquo;t Multitask or Procrastinate\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultitasking and Procrastinating kill flow state.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave a todo list\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid doing 2 things at a time\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStart with an easier task then slowly do more challenging tasks(not too challenging read step no 2)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTry the Pomodoro technique or the alternative \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUjGZJIgse0\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnimedoro technique\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch4 id=\"our-partner-of-today-santa-lucia-fragrance\"\u003eOur partner of today: \u003ca href=\"https://santaluciafragrance.com/?ref=kuzqn53jomp-\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSanta Lucia Fragrance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanta Lucia Fragrance has an oil diffusing kit that will help you achieve flow state. Especially if you choose their \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u0026ldquo;Work\u0026rdquo;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e scent. This goes a long way to helping you achieve flow state and boost your confidence. Aside from their oil diffuser, they also sell 3 unique and different fragrances for Work/Office/To Conquering, Play/Sensual/Come Closer, and Everyday.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd they are giving you \u003cstrong\u003e10% off all their products\u003c/strong\u003e. Better hurry, their products sell out fast. Linked down below are their oil diffuser kit, car diffuser kit, and their 3 fragrances. \u003cstrong\u003eThe coupon code is: STEPHENAJULU\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://santaluciafragrance.com/products/home-diffuser?ref=kuzqn53jomp-\u0026amp;variant=40258955575467\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSanta Lucia Fragrance Oil Diffuser Kit\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://santaluciafragrance.com/products/car-diffuser?ref=kuzqn53jomp-\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSanta Lucia Fragrance Car Diffuser Kit\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://santaluciafragrance.com/collections/all-fragrances/products/set-of-3?ref=kuzqn53jomp-\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSanta Lucia Fragrance 3 Perfume Kit\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out their other products and learn more about the science that went into the designing of their scent: \u003ca href=\"https://santaluciafragrance.com/?ref=kuzqn53jomp-\"\u003eSanta Lucia Fragrance\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://santaluciafragrance.com/pages/science-of-scent\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScience of Their Scent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n","date_published":"2021-08-02T12:51:00+03:00","image":"https://ajulu.netlify.app/images/flow-state-diagram.jpg","tags":["flow state","deep work","life"]}]}