Before I further explore the idea of purpose and method, I will say a brief word about goals. Just “getting to work” is not good enough. To hit that Flow, we need to have an outcome, and make the upcoming task just hard enough to stretch yourself whilst still appearing possible. Therefore, I commit to a 90-minute work session, with the larger aims of experiencing some flow and training my focus, during which I will try to find the error in some simulations I have run by examining the mathematics behing the quasi-static approximation to Maxwell’s equations (being very specific here). To train my focus, I will remove distractions from my work area (not entirely possible, because the place is a mess, since, as I said, I am moving to another country), and keep a log of everything that distracts me from my work. To prepare, I am listening to a binaural track meant to enhance focus, and took some Noopept, Oxiracetam and Piracetam. To satisfy my need to write, I will record whatever insights I have in a working document which will form the basis of a paper later. I find it very valuable to have something to show at the end of a session, even if it is just an accounting of my mistakes. The greatest motivator is making progress toward a worthwhile goal, and the greatest demotivator is being stagnant. Now, what that worthwhile goal is, we still have to address. Right now, I just need to get going!
(Some time later.) Right. First session done. A little to my surprise, I kicked much ass. Even though I did not feel at my best this morning, I got off to a great start and solved the main problem quite quickly. It should be noted that this is not my first session thinking about the problem; I have been looking at it for a few days, and this morning the solution arrived right on time. (Solving problems without thinking is something I want to address in this blog, as well). To be completely honest, this was not proper deep work at the start, since I had to leave the phone close by for an important call from my wife. Did I enter flow? Perhaps not the whole time, but there were parts of the session where answers and insights came to me quickly and naturally. More relevant even, was the fact that I really enjoyed it. Even after my timer went off, I continued typing up thoughts, and more insights came to me on how to continue the work.
What worked for me? Having an attainable goal that still seemed like a stretch was important. But what really catapulted me into the zone was solving that problem early in the session, which gave me a ton of encouragement and momentum. Did the drugs help? Not sure. In my experience, they sometimes work and sometimes don’t, and it’s hard to control when. What I can confidently say is that they do not make up for poor diet, lack of sleep and no exercise. Those should be prioritised over nootropics.
I also made sure to end my session with a clear entry point to the next one. That way, I can be sure that my goal for the next session is already formulated, and my subconscious mind can start working on it while I have lunch.
The Flow Diaries 