Just Flow

Are you constantly battling overwhelm, struggling to focus, and feeling like you’re spinning your wheels without actually getting things done? You’re not alone. Many of us strive for peak performance, but often find ourselves stuck in cycles of procrastination and distraction. Enter Just Flow, a methodology gaining traction for its power to unlock sustained, effortless productivity and a deeper sense of satisfaction in work and life.

What is Just Flow?

Just Flow isn’t a time management system in the traditional sense. It doesn’t impose rigid schedules or complex task prioritization matrices. Instead, it’s a framework designed around allowing work to arise naturally from a clear understanding of your commitments and a system for capturing everything that has your attention. Developed by Tiago Forte, the creator of the popular Building a Second Brain system, Just Flow is based on the idea that our brains are better at recognizing opportunities for action when they aren’t crammed full of remembering what those actions are. It’s about reducing cognitive load and creating room for focused execution.

At its core, Just Flow operates on a daily cycle of three key stages: Clear, Plan, Do. Each stage is deliberately short, forcing brevity and preventing analysis paralysis. The aim is to move things out of your mind and into a trusted system, allowing you to then focus on actually doing the work.

The Three Stages of Just Flow

Let’s break down the three simple yet powerful stages:

Clear (5-10 minutes)

This is your mental “sweep.” The goal is to capture everything that’s currently occupying your thoughts – tasks, ideas, worries, commitments – and get them into your external system. This isn’t about prioritizing or analyzing; it’s purely about offloading. Use a digital note-taking app like Notion, Obsidian, or even a simple text file. Each item should be written as a concise, actionable phrase. Think “Draft blog post introduction,” “Email Sarah re: project update,” or “Book dentist appointment.” The key is to make it immediately clear what needs to be done.

Plan (5-10 minutes)

Now, with your mind clear, you review your list from the ‘Clear’ stage alongside your pre-existing project notes, areas of responsibility, and long-term goals. This isn’t about building a perfect plan; it’s about quickly identifying the next immediately actionable tasks. These are the things that, when completed, will move your projects forward. Select 3-5 tasks that feel like the best “next actions” based on deadlines, energy levels, and overall priorities. These become your focus for the ‘Do’ stage.

Do (Until Focus Depletes)

This is where you dedicate your attention solely to the tasks you’ve selected in the ‘Plan’ stage. Work in focused bursts (Pomodoro Technique can be helpful here, but isn’t required) and resist the urge to multi-task or check emails. When your focus wanes, stop. Don’t push through exhaustion. Return to the ‘Clear’ stage at the start of the next working block. This cyclical process is central to Just Flow.

Why Does Just Flow Work?

The effectiveness of Just Flow stems from several psychological principles:

• Cognitive Offloading: Freeing your working memory from holding endless to-do lists allows your brain to concentrate on higher-level thinking and execution.
• Reduced Decision Fatigue: Limiting the ‘Plan’ stage to just a few tasks minimizes the mental energy spent deciding what to work on.
• Embracing Emergence: The ‘Clear’ stage acknowledges the unpredictable nature of work and allows tasks to emerge organically instead of being rigidly pre-scheduled.
• Flow State Cultivation: By minimizing distractions and focusing on achievable next actions, Just Flow creates the conditions necessary to enter a state of flow – a state of deep immersion and enjoyment in the task at hand.
• Iterative Progress: The continuous cycle of clearing, planning, and doing fosters a consistent sense of progress, even on challenging projects.

How to Get Started with Just Flow

1. Choose Your Tool: Select a note-taking app or system that you are comfortable with. Simplicity is key.
2. Start Small: Begin with a single day and commit to the three stages.
3. Be Consistent: Make the ‘Clear, Plan, Do’ cycle a daily habit.
4. Embrace Imperfection: Don’t strive for a perfect system from the start. Adjust and refine as you go.
5. Review Periodically: Take some time each week to review your areas of responsibility and long-term goals to ensure your ‘Plan’ stage remains aligned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What if I don’t have enough tasks during the ‘Plan’ stage?
Simply start with fewer. The goal isn’t to fill a quota; it’s to select the most impactful next actions. Backtrack to the ‘Clear’ stage if needed to find more.

2. Does Just Flow replace all other productivity methods?
Not necessarily. It can be integrated with techniques like time blocking or the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology. It’s more foundational.

3. How long should the ‘Do’ stage last?
Until your focus depletes. This varies from person to person, but listen to your body and mind. It could be 25 minutes, 90 minutes, or something else entirely.

4. What if new tasks come up during the ‘Do’ stage?
Ignore them! Write them down for the next ‘Clear’ stage. Don’t interrupt your flow.

5. Is a digital tool essential for Just Flow?
While highly recommended for searchability and organization, you can use a paper notebook, index cards, or whatever works best for you. The system itself adapts.

Resources

• Tiago Forte’s Website: https://fortelabs.co/blog/just-flow/ – The original Just Flow article.
• Building a Second Brain: https://www.buildingasecondbrain.com/ – Explore the broader methodology that inspired Just Flow.
• Notion: https://www.notion.so/ – A popular all-in-one workspace.
• Obsidian: https://obsidian.md/ – A powerful knowledge base and note-taking app.
• The Productivity Show Podcast: Often features discussions relevant to Just Flow and related concepts: https://www.fortelabs.co/productivity-show