Flow State
AUG 21, 2024
There's a fundamental question I've been pondering: What makes games so successful? And I'm not just referring to video games—I mean all types of social games and even sports. As a hardcore gamer who loves group sports, social games, and computer games like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike, I've experienced firsthand the captivating allure that games offer.
At the core of this allure is something called the flow state. While there are many definitions, the flow state is essentially a mental zone where you're fully immersed in an activity. You're not thinking about anything else—no life hardships or obstacles distract you. You're entirely focused on the task at hand, constantly moving forward.
A recent definition from a Stanford lab captures this well: achieving a flow state involves continuously encountering uncertainty and then resolving it. This cycle—uncertainty followed by resolution, again and again—keeps you deeply engaged. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman explains that this process triggers dopamine release in the brain whenever uncertainty is resolved, motivating you to seek the next challenge.
This mechanism isn't limited to traditional games; it's also employed by social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. These apps create a sense of uncertainty—you don't know what the next video will be. By taking the simple action of scrolling, you resolve that uncertainty, get a dopamine hit, and feel compelled to repeat the process. It feels rewarding in the moment, even if it's not fulfilling in the long term.
However, the design of this uncertainty-resolution cycle is crucial. In games, if levels are too hard and players can't solve them, frustration sets in. If the uncertainty is too overwhelming and users don't know what action to take, they disengage. Conversely, if actions are too simple and outcomes are too predictable, boredom ensues. The sweet spot lies somewhere in between: actions are clear, but outcomes have just enough unpredictability and challenge to keep you engaged.
In social media, the action—scrolling—is straightforward. Yet, you have the freedom to interact further: you can scroll through multiple videos, focus on one, replay it, or dive into the comments. This autonomy allows you to navigate uncertainties and find content that resonates with you, enhancing the experience.
So, how can we apply these principles to our work and personal goals? In our current world, staying focused on our objectives is increasingly challenging. We're constantly bombarded by applications and platforms vying for our attention. Without effective planning and focus, we risk being pulled away from what truly matters. Additionally, with AI agents becoming more capable, there's a real concern about being outpaced if we don't continually improve ourselves.
To make pursuing our goals as engaging as playing a game, our daily plans should minimize friction. Games and social media platforms excel at removing distractions and immersing users fully. In games, you don't see other tabs or notifications—you're in a dedicated environment. Social media apps often use full-screen modes and captivating music to draw you in. You don't need to plan ahead; you simply act, and each action naturally leads to the next.
This is where AI can make a significant difference. If an AI system understands your goals, skills, preferences, schedule, and tasks, it can help orchestrate your day to keep you in a productive flow state. Here's how:
Personalized Start: The AI could kickstart your day with music that boosts your focus.
Eliminating Distractions: It can minimize or silence unnecessary notifications.
Guided Actions: By presenting you with the first simple task and encouraging you to take action, the AI reduces the friction of deciding where to start.
Interactive Engagement: The AI can interact with you conversationally, much like a supportive colleague, making the process feel more human.
Visualizing Rewards: Showing you the potential rewards or outcomes of completing tasks can boost motivation.
Time Management: Implementing timers or progress indicators can help maintain focus and provide a sense of urgency.
These strategies mirror the elements found in games:
Timers: Creating a sense of time-bound challenge.
Music: Enhancing focus and immersion.
Full-Screen Focus: Minimizing distractions by controlling the visual environment.
Implementing such an AI-driven system means transforming your laptop or device into an environment optimized for productivity, where the AI has some control over applications to assist you effectively. While this might seem challenging, it's not impossible.
At Momentum, we're working on making this vision a reality. By integrating these game principles into our productivity tools, we're aiming to reduce friction in daily planning and task execution. Our goal is to help you enter a flow state more readily, making the pursuit of your objectives not just productive but genuinely engaging.