In this episode, we share with you dear listeners our honest life hacks – the things that help us with our creativity and our businesses. So without further ado, let’s jump into the show!

[smart_track_player url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/honestdesigners/HD_170.mp3″ social=”true” social_twitter=”true” social_facebook=”true” social_gplus=”true” title=”Episode 170: How to Hit That Sweet Flow State”]

Watch some of the Honest Designers episodes here: Honest Designers Podcast Playlist. And remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel for regular updates direct to your inbox.


Show Notes for This Episode:

[1:30] What is flow state? Lisa explains.
[2:00] Your brain goes into a different state when you are in flow.
[3:00] This is how flow state feels.
[4:00] Flow state makes work prolific.
[5:30] Can you purposefully get into a flow state?
[6:00] Tom explains how he moves into his flow state.
[7:00] If you feel creative block, do this to summon creative thinking.
[8:20] Tom asks the gang what they do to cultivate flow state.
[9:00] Lisa shares how she routinely enters flow state.
[10:05] Ian talks about two things that kill his flow state.
[11:00] Analog helps Ian move into flow state.
[12:00] You’ll never get into flow state when you are spinning plates.
[13:00] Dustin’s sweet spot is writing.
[14:20] 100 days of drawing sparked a great flow state for Dustin.
[15:20] This is the universe’s gift to us.
[16:00] Running, writing, painting to get into the flow.
[17:00] Lower expectations to get more work out.
[18:00] The value of warm up exercises.
[19:00] Just act natural.
[20:00] Listening to one song on repeat helps Tom.
[21:00] Mad World – Boss B!tch.
[22:00] Mindful meditation.
[23:00] The best music for work.
[24:40] Tom hires a Virtual Assistant.
[25:20] Getting rid of tasks that prevent you from the work you love.
[26:30] Dustin talks Trello.
[27:00] Random tasks keep you from your most productive self.
[28:00] Free your mind with a brain dump. Write stuff down!
[29:00] Priority #1 – tip top mental health.
[30:00] Dustin asks for tips to help others find their creative groove.
[31:10] What are the best activities for encouraging flow state?
[32:00] Separate your responsible brain from your hand.
[33:00] Warm up sketches work creative muscles.
[34:00] Forget perfection and draw freely.
[35:00] Repeatable flow state.
[36:00] Just getting started removes the fear.
[37:30] Creativity comes after action.
[39:00] Act on the bad ideas so you can forget them.
[40:00] Ian talks about how he battles overwhelm.
[41:00] Ask yourself this one question to get your project moving.
[42:00] Dustin asks if he is experiencing flow state?
[43:00] Floss, brush and flow.
[44:00] Transfer new creative habits to subconscious.
[45:30] Ian talks interrupting a routine to get work done.
[46:00] When feeling burnt out take it easy on yourself.
[47:00] Be kind to yourself. Some days will be.
[48:00] That’s a wrap!

Find us on iTunes, Spotify, and Instagram by searching for The Honest Designers Show.

“A must for every creative freelancer (or those aspiring to freelance). Thank you for being so… honest! Such a wealth of information from people I admire who have ‘been there and done that’. Listening to the podcast every week feels like I’m among friends. Can’t wait for more episodes!”AG_GD