Peak Brain, On Demand
Steven Kotler: Flow Hack, Tactical Transitions
2 min read · 28.7.2025
“Want to trigger flow on command?
“You need a tactical transition—
a precise, reliable way to shift gears from distracted to dialed-in.
“Think of it like flipping a mental switch before a high-stakes move.
“Surgeons use it before incisions, negotiators before tough conversations, skiers before sending cliffs.
“It’s the entry ritual to flow—and it works.
”In one of the studies … research shows surgeons hitting collective flow in the operating room by aligning around shared protocols, visualizing the sequence ahead, and engaging personalized pre-op triggers like music or ritual.
“These cues act like launching pads—anchoring attention, synchronizing teams, and slipping the brain into high-efficiency mode.
“My friend Chris Voss, (… a former FBI hostage negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference) uses something similar.
“Before critical negotiations, he rehearses his tone, slows his breath to lower his heart rate, and deploys tactical empathy—listening so carefully it creates psychological safety.
“It’s not just rapport—it’s flow prep.
“His voice slows. His attention sharpens. He gets others to join him in that calm, focused state. Just like a surgical team locking in.
“In both cases—scalpel or speech—the trick is a pre-performance shift: a repeatable, sensory-based transition from normal to heightened awareness.
“Want to build your own?
“Start with a three-part tactical transition:
⇁ Anchor your body
A short breath practice (e.g., box breathing or a 6-second inhale/6-second exhale) resets your nervous system and signals readiness.
⇁ Focus your mind
Set one clear goal for the next 20 minutes. Write it down. Speak it aloud. Clarity clears the runway for flow.
⇁ Trigger your ritual
Pick one sensory cue that means: go time. Music, scent, mantra, gesture—anything that’s consistent and associated with peak states.
“The goal is state-switching on command—
training your nervous system to recognize the signal and respond accordingly.
“Even better, … a new study from Hungary … shows we can now see flow in real-time using wearables.
“EEG shows dominant alpha-theta waves.
“Heart rate variability dips into a U-shape.
“Physical movement stills.
“Flow is no longer just a feeling—it’s a fingerprint. This means your tactical transition can soon be data-calibrated.
“Not just what works—but what works for you.
“The point: flow doesn’t start out as a peak state.
“It starts with a consistent approach.
“A tactical transition—that’s how the pros prime their biology for brilliance.”
Reference:
Steven Kotler. Peak Brain, On Command. Tactical Transitions. Flow Dispatch. SK’s Collective. Newsletter. 13.5.2025.
