Constant Clock Watching

Turn off that goddamn clock on your PC. It's effect is deleterious as it continuously tells you how much time is left in the day, or if its lunch time or not. For some odd reason we are fixated with the clock. No matter where you go, there is some sort of clock.

Have you noticed that if you keep on watching time then it somehow slows down, whereas if you avoid watching a clock then hours will pass you by and you wouldn't even notice it. Stop time watching so that you could indulge in that exquisite state of flow. Hours of work will pass you by and you wouldn't even notice it. And I promise that it would be the same amount of work done if you had constantly been watching the clock.

Here are some instructions on how to achieve a state of flow:

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clutter-free environment
• Concentration

1. 1
   Make it easy to lose track of time.
   
   People in a state of flow tend to lose track of time when fully focused on the task at hand. Something that prevents focus and getting into a state of flow is constant clock-watching. Make sure you block off a good amount of time to allow yourself to slip into this blissful state of flow. If you're really worried about getting carried away and missing an appointment or something, setting a timer can help.
2. 2
   Bump up the level of challenge:
   
   Flow typically happens when engaging in an interesting activity or challenging type of work - but also something that matches your skill level. If you're trying to get in the zone, but it's a mundane task, try to make this boring activity more interesting by thinking of new ways to challenge yourself, like setting a time limit for simple chores.
3. 3
   Improve your skill level:
   
   In contrast, if a task is too challenging, you will probably be way too anxious to get into a state of flow. You may need to break it down into smaller and more manageable chunks or improve your skill level if possible. Also, make sure you're giving yourself enough time to complete the task.
4. 4
   Get rid of distractions:
   
   Ensuring that there are minimal distractions in your immediate surroundings will make flow much more likely to happen. If there is clutter, get rid of it. Go to a quiet space where no noises or people will distract you and break your concentration. You don't want anything competing for your attention while you work on the task at hand.
5. 5
   Minimize negativity and self-consciousness:
   
   When people are in flow, there is no self-consciousness. Negativity and flow don't mix. Again, you're so focused, there's just no room for it! So try your very best not to think about what others are going to think or that it's not perfect. If you're really a worrier or someone who constantly edits, tell yourself you'll worry about the details later. If you start to feel negative, try to reorient yourself into thinking more positively.
6. 6
   Have clearly defined goals:
   
   When people are in a state of flow, they typically are very aware of their goal - their eye is on the ball. Think about the musician's goal to play a song well or an athlete to win a game. Having clearly defined goals will help you assess the kind of progress you're making. It is positively reinforcing to know you're on the right track and help keep you in that state of flow.