In today’s information-overloaded world, we often feel overwhelmed by various external distractions, making it hard to fully focus on studying. But when you manage to reach a “flow” state, learning becomes both more effective and enjoyable. So, what is flow exactly, and how can you tap into it?

“Flow” refers to a state of complete immersion in an activity, where you are free from external interruptions and feel no burden. In this state, you lose track of time and even forget yourself, focusing solely on the task at hand. Your abilities and the challenge of the task are perfectly balanced, creating a strong sense of pleasure and accomplishment.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described flow in his book Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience as a kind of “mental entropy.” Simply put, flow occurs when you clear your mind of distractions, allowing your brain to operate efficiently. When in flow, you feel happy, mentally refreshed, and your learning efficiency greatly improves.

Benefits of Flow：

Entering flow not only makes you feel good but also significantly boosts your productivity and learning efficiency. The benefits of flow can be summarized in three main aspects: it reduces mental load, increases pleasure, and enhances efficiency.

Many people think that focusing on one thing requires more effort, but in fact, the brain in flow state filters out irrelevant stimuli, helping us concentrate better and reducing interference from unnecessary information.

How to Enter Flow?

1. Internal Preparation

Motivation: Strong motivation is the first step to entering flow. Motivation can be triggered by either “love” or “fear.” For example, we might feel a strong interest in activities we enjoy (like playing games), or pressure (such as preparing for finals) can also push us to fully engage.

Clear Goals: To enter flow, set specific, concrete goals. Instead of vague targets like “study for two hours today,” aim for something precise, such as “master the application of a particular math formula today.”

Moderate Challenge: The difficulty of the task should be just right. Tasks that are too easy lead to boredom, while those too hard cause anxiety. The ideal is a challenge slightly above your current skill level, which activates the brain’s reward system.

Immediate Feedback: Timely feedback helps you better understand your progress. Whether in learning or other fields, quick feedback increases your sense of achievement and keeps you moving forward.

2. External Environment

Avoid Distractions: Our attention is easily broken by phones, social media, and so on. Therefore, when studying, choose a quiet environment and turn off your phone and other distractions to help enter the flow state.

Keep Your Environment Tidy: A clean desk and minimal supplies matter. Research shows that a cluttered workspace easily distracts us. Only by keeping your work area neat can you fully concentrate on your tasks.

Notes

Entering flow is not instantaneous; it requires continuous practice and adjustment. It’s important to remember that human attention is limited, and sustaining high-efficiency learning for long periods is unrealistic. Using techniques like the Pomodoro Method, which incorporates periodic breaks, can effectively prevent fatigue and help maintain long-term productivity.