How much of that is because in your non-flow states, you're thinking about something else. For me, flow is super productive because I'm concentrating only on t

How much of that is because in your non-flow states, you're thinking about something else. For me, flow is super productive because I'm concentrating only on the task at hand. I may have a thought every couple seconds or so, but if I'm coding in flow, each thought is a new line of code. If I'm playing Civ, each thought is a new move or new building purchased. If I'm not in flow, there's a good chance that that thought is about the HN story that's sitting on the tab in the background. Or wondering if anyone replied to my comment. Or thinking about how I need to pick up my kid in an hour. Or fretting that I'll never finish my project and I'm going to get fired. This is also consistent with the effects of coffee and other stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall. These work by boosting attention: they increase dopamine and norepinephrine production within the prefrontal cortex, which is the area of the brain that gives us conscious control over our thoughts.