5 Ways To Transform A Task From Mundane To Magical

When was the last time you felt fully engaged in a task and the hours just melted away? In positive psychology, such a state of mind is called a ‘flow state’, also known colloquially as being in the zone.

The good news is that we don’t have to wait for a flow state to happen — we can take steps that can allow us to deliberately get into a state of flow.

Here are 5 steps you can take to change your state of mind with relation to any task from a state of mundane to a state of magical or exciting:

Step 1: Get Rid Of Big Goals, Start Setting ‘Micro-Goals’ Instead

To enter a state of flow, you need to think of the small step-by-step goals, not the big overarching ones. For example, in a game of chess, this would mean that you should focus on how to clear a certain space, how to take your adversary’s Rock, Knight or Queen instead of just obsessing over how to check-mate.

‘Micro-goals’ is why we like games so much because they naturally make us lose ourselves in the micro-objectives.

During the current pandemic, where it might seem like we’re spending an entire day and week in a state of uninterrupted stupor, it becomes even more critical to get into the habit of setting ‘micro-goals’ for all key activities.

Step 2: Design A Way To Measure Progress And Get Immediate, Clear Feedback

Feedback helps us measure the impact of our actions and gives us information on whether we’re succeeding with our micro-goals or not. For instance, a false note immediately tells a musician that he should make a correction. A pool player who misses a strike knows she should either change position or change how she holds the cue.

Following the feedback trail of an activity induces a person into a flow state, where they act, observe the result, and then react to it. Each observation and reaction teaches the person what works and what doesn’t, helping them grow by improving their skills and learning new things along the way.

Surgeons, for instance, can enter a state of flow by observing if their cuts led to excessive bleeding, or if health measurements such as heart rate are in optimal parameters.

Concentration without feedback is difficult since you don’t know if what you are doing is good, useful or meaningful. Some tasks are not enjoyable because their feedback is not immediately obvious, so they do not give us a sense of growth or learning. So your attention and craving for feedback get hijacked by whatever else is near you, leading to boredom or mental distraction. Think of chores such as washing the dishes or walking the dog.

Step 3: Adjust Your Micro-Goals To Ensure That The Difficulty Of The Activity Matches Your Skill Level

A game of chess is only fun if both players are at a similar skill level. If the opponent is much better, then the game feels frustrating. If the adversary is too weak, the game becomes boring.

The same principle applies to work, and other activities. Too difficult, and we become frustrated or anxious. Too easy, and we get bored.

But if the difficulty level matches your skills, it eventually becomes interesting and enjoyable (maybe even addictive), even if it wasn’t so in the beginning.

Ensure that you’re constantly analysing and adjusting your micro-goals to ensure that you’re increasing or decreasing difficulty of the activity to match your current skill level.

Step 4: Ease Into The Flow State Through The Pomodoro Technique

If you are finding it difficult to induce flow, try out the Pomodoro technique. While this doesn’t work for everyone, those of us with a propensity for procrastination may find it a useful way to achieve focus in short bursts. The premise of this technique is simple: set a timer — usually for 25 minutes — and focus solely on your task intensely during that time. When the timer is up you should have a five-minute break before you set another timer.

So how does this relate to flow? Initially, it can be difficult to enter a flow state at will. It’s something you need to ease your brain into. The Pomodoro technique makes this possible by helping you jump the biggest mental barrier: getting started. Because once you’re immersed in a task, you may find yourself working well past when the timer goes off.

For a free, easy way to get started with the Pomodoro technique, I recommend using TomatoTimer.

Step 5: Create A Mental Cue To Enter Flow State

Do something special each time before you sit down to go into flow state. Whether it’s repeating a special sentence or affirmation, taking a few deep breaths or anything else — do that same exact thing each time you want to get into flow state.

Over time, this will help you create a mental cue for your brain. In other words, each time you follow your cue, you tell your brain that it’s time to get into flow state — and your brain acts accordingly. Although this might sound strange, it does work.

Our behaviour is largely based on neuro-associations, and by creating a mental cue for getting into flow state you are essentially creating a new neuro-association. Over time, you will make it easier for yourself to get into a state of flow.

Conclusion

Reaching a state of flow in your life is possibly the closest thing to achieving true happiness. Getting into a flow state is a difficult process and one can only consistently get into flow state through practice. Hence, as an immediate next step, I recommend implementing the 5 steps for the next activity that you have today.

Although it takes time and effort to get into flow state, the end result is worthwhile and life-changing.