Chapter Content
Okay, so, let's talk about how to, like, *really* concentrate. We're talking about that flow state, you know? That zone where you're just, like, totally absorbed in what you're doing. There's this author, Cal Newport, and he wrote this book called "Deep Work." And basically, his whole thing is that being able to focus deeply, without distractions, is becoming super rare, but also, like, *incredibly* valuable. He says the people who can actually do deep work are going to be the ones who, you know, really thrive.
And honestly, being able to concentrate like that? It's key to, like, having control of your time. It lets you break out of this idea that you have to put in a certain amount of time to get a certain result. But, of course, it's not always easy to just, like, *snap* into deep focus. All these apps and social media platforms are designed to, well, grab your attention, right? They're designed around that dopamine hit.
So, you have to, like, build up your "focus muscle," as it were. Start small, maybe just thirty minutes a day. Then, over the first month, try to work up to, like, an hour two or three times a day. And then, as you get better at it, you can extend those sessions to two hours, or even four, if you're ambitious.
But, getting *into* that deep focus state is, you know, its own thing. Think of it like this: When you turn on a computer, it goes through a boot-up sequence, right? It's a set of steps that get everything ready to go. You're kind of the same way. To really get into that flow state, you need to prime yourself. You need a personal boot-up sequence.
Basically, it's a set of actions and cues that tell your brain, "Okay, it's focus time." And, while you could use it for any work session, it's especially helpful for those deep focus blocks. It's like a doorway to the flow state. A good, repeatable sequence will help you get there quickly and consistently.
So, how do you build this sequence? You can use your five senses. Think about it: touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. What actions, tastes, sights, sounds, and smells can you use to kickstart your focus?
For example, me, I do this: Before I sit down for a deep work session, I'll either take a five-minute walk outside or do a quick cold plunge. It just unlocks my creative energy, you know? Then, I always have a black cold-brew coffee. I sip on it before I start, and I keep it next to me. The caffeine helps, but it's mostly just psychological, I think.
And, my writing desk faces a window with some dark walls, plants, and neutral art. I listen to classical music on Spotify, that Classical Essentials playlist. And, I love the smell of wood, so I always have cedarwood or sandalwood candles or oils around.
I usually go through this sequence twice a day: once in the morning, and once in the afternoon. It's become a super effective routine that helps me get into that flow state.
Now, to build your own sequence, just think about each of the five senses. Think about times when you were *really* in flow. What were you touching, tasting, seeing, hearing, and smelling at the time? Write down the different things that were happening with each sense. This will give you some ideas. Then, pick the option for each sense that's most doable and repeatable. If you were in flow while sitting at a café in Italy sipping an expensive espresso, well, that might not be so easy to repeat. But, if you were at your local coffee shop listening to house music, that's probably a lot more doable.
Once you have your options for each sense, write down your whole boot-up sequence. And, until it becomes a habit, check things off the list as you go. It'll help you get into that deep work zone, every time.