Flow by Hwang Nong-moon: The Mindset Needed for Deep Concentration

Yesterday's post examined the three-day process of entering flow and the physical and mental effects that arise during it. This post will briefly examine the mindset needed for deep concentration.

 

Before discussing the mindset required, let us examine the essence of flow.

The essence of flow is becoming immersed in thought..

 

What attitudes are important for entering flow?

 

First and most importantly, avoid accumulatingmental, and physical fatigue.. To do so, it is important to create a personal routine that includes sufficient sleep and regular activities that relieve stress..

 

Second, having a clear goal makes it easier to enter flow. Along with that clear goal, it is important to believe that your field of work is the most important in the world and to have the mindset of becoming the world's best in that field.

 

Third,use your mind rather than simply working hard without thinking.. Enjoy research, and do your best with the mindset of creating a work of art rather than merely a product.. Feel that your current work is the most important thing to you, and give it your best.. The excellence of research depends on how long you think about the problem with sustained concentration..

 

Fourth,defining the problem is also important.. Just as you aim at a target when shooting,, aim at a clearly defined goal.. A clear problem makes it easier to concentrate.. Choose an important, central problem from among those that remain unsolved,, and set a time frame for solving it.

 

Fifth, it is important to secure an environment where you can enter flow.. Ask your family and those around you for their understanding,, and prepare a quiet space free from interruptions..

 

Sixth, regular exercise that makes you sweat can prevent excessive immersion and help you sustain flow while staying healthy and improving your daily condition..

 

These points can be summarized as follows.

1. To minimize mental, and physical fatigue, build a personal routine that includes enough sleep and stress-relieving activities.
2. Set clear goals, and commit to becoming the best in your field.
3. Use your mind,, enjoy research,, and give your current work your best. (Research excellence depends on how much sustained concentration you maintain over a long period.)
4. Define a clear problem and choose an important, central unsolved problem. If necessary,set a time frame for solving it.
5. Prepare an environment for flow: a quiet space free from interruptions. To do this, you need to ask your family and those around you for their understanding.
6. Exercise regularly. (Choose something you enjoy; exercise that is easy to become immersed in is recommended.)

 

 This post has briefly examined the mindset needed for flow. In the next post, I will discuss the detailed process of entering flow, drawing in part on the book Flow by Hwang Nong-moon.