Ask HN: How do you get into the right headspace to think deeply?

My protocol is: 1) clear your mind 2) prime your mind 3) flow your truth

1. Clear your mind

Spend 30 minutes meditating, preferably first thing when you wake up.

Pick something that works for you. A simple practice: • Allow whatever happens to happen • When you notice you are trying to control your attention, drop that intention

2. Prime your mind

Spend 30min reading or listening to high-quality content. I like listening to great spiritual teachers and philosophers. In any case, pick something that your interest is drawn to. Make it BIG and not empty calories.

3. Flow your truth

30-60min of writing. Let it flow.

Bonus points for publishing your writing - it will add sharpness and clarity to your thinking.

Also consider walking. I find I get many of my epiphanies lately when I'm walking the dogs in the evening. I take type notes or voice notes on my phone.

Long daily walks with a recorder for notes.

I can’t really force deep thinking for myself. Instead it comes spur of the moment when I’m away from my work. A solution to a problem or a compelling idea will pop into my head, and when that happens is when I’m in the headspace to think deeply.

This is a little different from Flow states I get into when I’m _already_ working. Usually in my work Flow states I’ve already had my spur-of-the-moment-deep-thought and now I’m just implementing in a Deep Work state.

I often have moments of insights with really solid ideas. One thing that’s worked for me is to note things down, and handwriting notes instead of typing seems to work better.

as I’ve gotten older and had more adult responsibilities family work finances .. million things to keep track of, getting into zone and fully tuned is harder. don’t beat yourself up

Put on Do Not Disturb and listen to some music.