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- The Drop In: How Friction Triggers Flow
Welcome back to The Drop In — your weekly Flow-State OS for peak performance.
No Constraint Can Sometimes Equal No Progress
We tend to think that flow requires total freedom: endless time, an open calendar, perfect conditions. But in reality, too much freedom is paralyzing. Flow doesn’t come from the absence of limits — it comes from the right kind of constraints.
Writers Block
For nearly two years, I sat on the idea for my book. I had the concept, the characters, and the motivation — but I made almost no progress. Why? Because there was no urgency. No deadline. No one holding me accountable.
Everything changed the moment I hired a writing coach.
Suddenly, there were weekly check-ins. Word count targets. Deadlines that mattered. And just like that, writing became a daily habit. The friction I had been avoiding — the pressure of being accountable to someone else — became the very thing that unlocked my flow. I found myself entering deep work faster, writing more freely, and actually enjoying the process.
What I thought was a barrier was actually the bridge. Eleven months later, a book was born into the world.
Flow Hack: Pomodoro, Evolved
One of the simplest (and most effective) ways to introduce productive friction is through timed focus sprints. The classic Pomodoro Technique — 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off — is a great starting point. But for deep work, I’ve found that longer blocks work better.
Enter: custom Pomodoro timers.
I recommend:
🟢 Analog Option: The Time Timer MOD — a tactile, visual timer that creates a physical presence for time. Perfect for reducing screen dependency.
🟢 Digital Option: Flow App or Session — minimalistic desktop + mobile Pomodoro tools that let you set custom durations (30/60/90 minutes) and track your sessions over time.
Start with:
30 minutes if you’re resistance-heavy
60 if you’re in your groove
90 if you're ready for deep immersion
Set the timer. Go all in. Stop when it buzzes.
Repeat. Refine. Flow.
Final Thought
If you’re stuck, don’t ask: How can I make this easier?
Ask: What’s the constraint I’m missing?
Friction isn’t the problem. It’s the portal.
And on the other side is flow.
– Michael
Founder, The Drop In
& Author of ‘Human Traits — a novel exploring humanity’s relationship with AI’