HP Innovation Issue 22: Fall 2022 | Page 57

HP INNOVATION FALL / WINTER 2022 55

There are a few specific changes that occur when the brain is in a state of flow . Activity decreases in a set of regions called the default mode network , which gets turned on when the mind wanders . This includes a section of the prefrontal cortex involved in self-reflection . At the same time , there ’ s increased activity in another part of the prefrontal cortex that ’ s critical for attention , enabling you to focus solely on the job in front of you . Regions that process feelings of reward also get turned on , which explains how a task performed in a state of flow becomes intrinsically motivating .

The optimal setup at work It ’ s one thing to get into this mental state while you ’ re playing a piano solo or skiing a black diamond slope , but what about when you ’ re staring down an Excel spreadsheet ?

It ’ s not as far-fetched as you might think . In fact , Csikszentmihalyi was most interested in how the experience of flow could be incorporated into the more mundane aspects of everyday life . The key is to optimize your external and internal environments .

First and foremost , create a physical space where you ’ re able to focus . An office where people are frequently interrupted and distracted is a problem from the point of view of finding flow , says Zsadany Vecsey , who worked with Csikszentmihalyi and others to create Fligby , a gaming solution that teaches people how to be better business leaders using the principles of flow . “ That kind of focus is missing , normally , in the modern workplace .”

Some of the biggest flow-killers at work are emails , notifications , and other distractions that shatter your concentration . Multitasking hinders flow , too , because your attention is divided . If you need to get into flow , close your email and Slack or set to Do Not Disturb , tell a manager or coworkers that you won ’ t be able to respond immediately for the next hour or two , and put your phone on silent and out of sight if you can . Also try scheduling meetings for either the morning or afternoon so you can block off the rest of the day for deep concentration .

It ’ s important to pay attention to your physical and emotional state , too . If you ’ re physically uncomfortable — tired , hungry , needing to use the bathroom — it can be difficult to ignore those sensations and lose yourself in a task . Similarly , if you ’ re feeling emotional , whether it ’ s positive or negative , you probably won ’ t be able to disengage and focus on the work . J

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