Sometimes, we place too many conditions on states like flow. We have categorized flow triggers, looked at circumstances which create flow, and studied recovery and maintenance routines. Might we not just be making too much of this?
For instance, we know that exercise, good sleep and changes of scenery contribute to flow. So, we might start thinking that, without optimizing these things, our flow would suffer. Maybe it does, but some of the world’s greatest achievements did not occur in optimal circumstances. We should remember that most of history’s great art and science was not created by a bunch of biohackers, and we should be wary of those who promise us techniques to conquer the world, when they themselves have not contributed much. I am worried that by being so obsessed with how we can do things optimally, we sometimes don’t realize that the best thing is just to cut the bullshit and do them.
Face it, Einstein did not study books on flow in order to come up with his revolutionary theories. He didn’t even do keto. He ate pastries and smoked a pipe, and slept late. So, rather than trying to optimize your life for flow, just get to the work, and sort out the details later.
The Flow Diaries 