Hello, dear MacBook warriors! Yes, you may have lost yourself in the gray routine of the corporate world, but today we will tell you how to achieve that magical state we call “flow”. Yes, the meetings never end, the emails multiply by the minute, and the Slack notifications run like they are running a marathon. But when you find a harmonious dance with your MacBook with the right techniques, reaching that delightful “flow” state will be much easier.
What is the Streaming Situation? (Spoiler: It's Like the Moment You Forget the World While Watching a Series on Netflix)
Flow is when you are so focused on a task that you lose track of time. It’s like your brain has entered maximum efficiency mode. It’s like that moment when you finish watching a series you love and realize, “Oh, it’s already morning?!” But things are a little different here. This time, your boss will applaud you!
So how can you achieve that sweet flow state with your MacBook? Here are a few practical ways to boost your focus in the chaos of corporate life.
Stop Fighting Notifications, Manage Them Smartly
Your MacBook may be bombarding you with notifications all the time. But to achieve flow, you need to make peace with them. Every single alert and vibration saps your focus. How do you fix it?
- Use Your Focus Mode: Focus Mode, which comes with macOS, is not the best way to postpone your boss's "What are you doing?" message; on the contrary, use it to work efficiently. Filter meeting notifications and email alerts. Enjoy working for long hours without interruption.
- Group Your Email Notifications: Instead of getting startled by the "Meeting reminder" or "Can you take a look at this document?" emails that come every minute, group them and review them every hour. Remember, not every message is urgent!
- Show Slack Your Stance: Let Slack know that your “Unavailable” status really means “unavailable.” State your status clearly and stay focused on your work.
Time Management: Get in the Flow with 25-Minute Sprints!
One of the secrets to reaching a state of flow is the Pomodoro Technique. Based on the principle of “work for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break,” this technique keeps your mind constantly fresh and allows you to focus on your work.
- How it works: Focus on a task for 25 minutes and then take a quick 5-minute break. This will prevent your brain from getting tired and make your focus more sustainable.
- Use Apps on Your MacBook: Timer apps like Pomodone or Be Focused make it easy to implement this technique, so you can work in short bursts and be more productive in the long run.
Note: You are welcome to reward your Pomodoro breaks with coffee!
Check out our Desk Mat collection to organize your workspace!
Create the Right Environment: Quiet Areas and the Right Equipment
To get into the flow, you need to minimize the noise and disturbances around you. A good work environment is the biggest secret to increasing your focus.
- Grab Your Headphones? Noise-canceling headphones are the best way to escape the noise at work. It'll be easier to get work done while listening to your favorite lo-fi music.
- Pay Attention to Ergonomics: Ergonomic equipment such as a MacBook stand , wireless mouse and keyboard will keep your body in a comfortable position, allowing you to work productively for long periods of time. Having your screen at eye level will prevent neck pain and prevent you from being distracted.
Keep Your Screen Clean, Organize Your Desktop
A full desktop means a full mind. A MacBook desktop full of icons makes it harder to achieve flow. Your eyes are constantly lost in the clutter, and your focus is disrupted.
- Keep Your Desktop Minimal: Before you start working, delete or archive unnecessary files on your desktop. Organizing your documents will make your work easier not only mentally but also visually.
- Folder Your Files: The days of “piling everything on your desktop” are over! By sorting your documents into the right folders, it becomes much easier to find what you are looking for.
Don't Forget to Take Short Breaks: The Importance of Getting into the Flow
While productivity is at its highest when you enter a state of flow, taking breaks is essential to maintaining focus. Taking a short walk or coffee break after a long day of work can give your brain a breather.
- Avoid Looking at the Screen for Long Periods: Take a 5-minute break from the screen every 45 minutes. This reduces eye strain and renews your energy.
- Move! Even if you are in the office, sitting at a desk for long periods of time can tire your body. Small stretches and walking a few steps can increase your focus.
Avoid Multitasking: Focus on One Task at a Time
Yes, we all try to multitask. But scientific studies show that multitasking decreases productivity. Focusing on one thing can make you more productive.
- Use Split Screen on Your MacBook: If you need to multitask, use your MacBook’s split screen feature to switch between just two tasks so your eyes aren’t distracted all the time.
- List Your Tasks: Create your to-do list first thing in the morning and tackle them one by one. Multitasking makes it harder to focus.
Use Technology Wisely: Work More Efficiently with Apps
Take advantage of apps that will turn your MacBook into a productive work tool. There are many great tools that can lighten your workload and make time management easier.
- Organize Your Work with Todoist or Notion: With these apps, you can create your to-do list, manage your projects, and keep your goals in sight throughout the day.
- Track Your Time with RescueTime: Use tools like RescueTime to see how much time you spend on which apps and sites, so you can spot and block time wasters.
Conclusion
Staying in the flow for MacBook users in corporate life:
- Manage notifications intelligently
- Workspace organization
- Using keyboard shortcuts effectively
- MacBook maintenance
- Using the right apps
- Dealing with distractions
It requires mastery of the subject.
Now you have all the secrets to achieving flow state with your MacBook. When your boss asks you one day, "You're so productive these days, how are you doing?", you can smile wisely and say, "The secret is flow state."
Note: If you didn't enter a flow state while reading this guide, or at least smiled, we're glad you did!
Make sure to check out our MacBook and iPhone Syncing: 10 Clever Ways to Make Your Life Easier content!
