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Four Steps from Flow to Happiness
Why are there times when we’re busy to death yet feel empty, and other times when we’re still working but surrounded by a sense of lightness and focus—even happiness?
After finishing Flow, Deep Work, Lean Learning, and Anne of Green Gables, and combining them with my experiences doing experiments, stepping on stage, and teaching Baduanjin, I found a simple yet powerful path:
Choose the right thing → Carry a positive mindset → Remove distractions and go deep → Enter flow and gain happiness.
1. Choose the right thing: a flow moment in the hysteresis loop experiment
Lean Learning tells us: don’t learn everything—finding the right direction matters more.
I felt this deeply. Not long ago I did a “hysteresis loop” experiment.
At first I had almost zero experience with wiring; the desk was a pile of messy cables and I was bewildered.
But I told myself: don’t get stuck in complicated theory—make this experiment work, and make it good. Treat it like a fun task.
So I read the handout again and again, even trying to “get into the designer’s head” to think how the lab was arranged. Although a little voice kept saying, “I’ve never done this—can I really wire it?”, I pushed through.
Then something magical happened:
- I became immersed in wiring; even my sense of time faded.
- When stuck, I discussed with classmates; when that failed I asked the TA—turned out she hadn’t prepped either (the world is kind of slapdash, which actually made me more relaxed about discussing with her, so as not to waste her time).
- In the end I not only finished the lab, but helped classmates wire and troubleshoot Windows driver/interface issues.
Going from “knowing nothing” to “others asking me for help” happened because I invested flow in the right direction. That moment felt truly joyful.
2. Positive mindset: a decision before a Qigong performance
Anne of Green Gables says: “If you decide to be happy, then you will be happy.”
I first felt this vividly when I joined a school Qigong performance.
Honestly, as an engineering guy I don’t match Qigong performances at all; and right before going on stage I was extremely nervous.
In that moment I decided: I won’t let nerves ruin this performance; I’ll be happy because I’m taking part—so I went on stage cheerfully.
The result was completely different: I didn’t freeze and we finished smoothly. My moves weren’t elegant, but the “I’ve decided to enjoy it” mindset made the whole process light.
This made me realize: sometimes it’s not that things become easier—it’s that you changed your mindset.
3. Remove distractions, go deep: a reminder from Deep Work
Deep Work tells us that if you want valuable output, you need solid blocks of time and fewer shallow distractions.
Physicist Richard Feynman once described an unconventional productivity strategy:
“To really do physics, you need large, solid blocks of time… you need very high concentration… If you’re responsible for any administrative affairs, you won’t have such time. So I have another view of myself: I am irresponsible. I actively avoid responsibility. I tell everyone, I do nothing. If someone asks me to serve on a committee, I tell them: ‘No, I’m an irresponsible person.’”
This matches my experiences in the lab and on stage:
When I stop being stuck in “can I do it well,” and stop thinking about other trivia—for example, ignoring WeChat messages during the lab; even though the venue was bustling and booths were drawing attention, I kept my attention on wiring and choreography—flow just happened.
4. Enter flow, gain happiness: the meaning of Flow
Flow explains why this state brings happiness: in that moment, you’re not doing it for rewards—the process itself is beautiful enough.
The instant I helped a classmate in the lab, the instant I completed the performance on stage, what I felt wasn’t external recognition, but satisfaction from within. This satisfaction arises under intense focus: it isolates unrelated circuits and promotes the formation of myelin sheaths, building positive neural pathways. These pathways help later on, so I’m not trapped by negative memories of past failed performances; instead they strengthen the neurons I truly want to develop.
Conversely, if attention is scattered (say, constant notifications), these positive circuits can’t be reinforced, leading to less happiness and difficulty mastering complex skills.
5. Summary:
Four books piece together a simple path:
- Choose the right thing (Lean Learning)
- Keep a positive mindset (Anne of Green Gables)
- Remove distractions and dive deep (Deep Work)
- Enter flow and gain happiness (Flow)
My lived feeling is: you’re never fully prepared, but dare to fight the “unprepared” battle. Go in with the right mindset, focus on the present, and you’ll create your flow moments.