Turn off my phone completely. Put it in a desk drawer. Clean my desk completely. Flip my notebook to a new page. Close all chat/email apps. Open my IDE. Write down the most important thing to do today (check Jira if I'm unsure). Open Spotify and play a lyricless music playlist (jazz or metal). Work.

So far, this is the ONLY way I've been able to reliably get in the zone. It's crucial that I avoid Slack, email, or the web until well into the afternoon. Sometimes I feel mentally "fragile" for struggling to multitask or return to work after being interrupted, but if it works, it works. I'm lucky to be part of a team that isn't too keen on frequent meetings and doesn't expect instant Slack responses.

That’s awesome. It’s crazy how much small distractions that are normal for other occupations hinder software development productivity. I wish I knew how to leave the zone for a minute, then step back into it and instantly be productive again.

No kidding! I envy people who can pop off their headphones, talk for a few minutes, and (seemingly) get right back into the groove.

I like to add one more step. Close all tabs in my browser. It is like rebooting my mind into a Zen-like mode.

Or reboot the machine. It works better when not only browser tabs accumulate, but also terminals, editors, virtual machines, etc. Just reboot it all to hell. It's a good chance to update and load a new kernel, anyways.

Also,

> Clean my desk completely.

It's amazing what having a clean environment does to productivity. After being more clean/neat in my life, I've found that clutter has kept a constant burden in my mind. Clutter just makes working/living less approachable. I mean this both digitally and physically.

> but I’m always looking for another trick to hold the flow for longer.

Flow is usually something not to be sustained for long periods, because sustained flow is actually not practical - there must be an intermittent ebb to every flow state (usually in the form of breaks).

I noticed you mentioned Spotify and I commend that. Music makes everything seem epic even though you are doing very mundane tasks.

My only tip for making a flow state last longer is getting natural nootropics in your system like coffee, walnuts, omega-3 fish oil, MCT oil, and blueberries, which are all brain-boosting foods.

Breaks. Lots of meaningful breaks. Things that are not really breaks: documentaries, games, tv (they use your mind power). Things that are: sleep, nature, walks.

You do not get into a flow, you get into a rhythm of break - work - break - work.

I definitely agree. Many days I need brakes and they help me accomplish my goals. Other days however, I’m able to focus for 6-10 hours without breaking for anything really.

*breaks.

Here is the playlist FWIW: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/61RNVG9yeQpFBRi8OAVC9I?si=...

There is a section of albums by “The New Law” which is a good place to start. The list is made to be listened to album by album so there aren’t many distracting transitions.

Somewhat "tongue in cheek" however: I find I get a lot of work done trying to avoid working on another unrelated task..

See also: http://www.structuredprocrastination.com/

I get into it by telling my self its time to get it done and then continue to do it. Everything else people use is a crutch of some sort. HN is turning into a cesspool.

I find and listen to a long recording from this YouTube channel.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCJX4OkEJMVGanPPGoydFEeg

I play songs with lyrics in a foreign language or abstract electronica.

I'm listening on noise cancelling headphones to instrumental music.

+ turn off all notifications

+ block enough time for uninterrupted work

+ write down all steps and goals before starting to work

I do a little meditation. Flow for me is about being in the present.