2. Level-up: Flow occurs when the level of challenge is just above your level of skill, especially in activities where your skill level has a relatively high starting point (see image). Csikszentmihalyi gives some great examples of how to find flow in everyday activities you’re doing anyway. Examples: 1) I write often for work, so perhaps I decide to “level-up” the challenge by timing myself. 2) Sandra follows the same morning routine each day, so she decides to “level-up” by trying to shave off two minutes. In both these examples, the act of timing encourages the single focus to part of the flow experience.

3. On the books: One of the preconditions for flow is eliminating distraction. If I’m doing one of my favorite flow activities, trail running, but I leave my text message alerts on, you can imagine my flow will be interrupted. On the books means creating flow zones of protected time for single-focus activities, whether in work or leisure.

4. Wisdom: Finding flow as an adult sometimes requires wisdom, as you may need to press pause on busyness, and intentionally prioritize an opportunity to immerse. Sadly, such an act can go against the grain in modern life. Even more so, you won’t hit flow every single time. So you must repeatedly set yourself up for success. Flow isn’t like being funny — when it comes to flow, trying actually works! The more you set yourself up for success, the more often you will experience flow. And thus begins the virtuous cycle because flow begets more flow.