An expert recommends that a 50-year-old concept remains the most effective method for increasing productivity; here are three simple techniques to master it.

The sensation of being completely absorbed in an activity, causing time to pass unnoticed.

Flow states can result in productive work sessions or contribute to the urge to constantly scroll through social media, according to David Melnikoff, a productivity expert and Stanford Graduate School of Business assistant professor of organizational behavior.

Since its inception in the 1970s by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, conventional wisdom suggests that flow arises from fully immersing oneself in a challenging task. However, Melnikoff's research proposes a different approach: To achieve high productivity, one should take control of an uncertain situation.

According to Melnikoff, a person spending hours playing a slot machine may not seem highly productive or challenging, but they are in a flow state. The act of pulling the lever provides a sense of control over an uncertain outcome.

According to Melnikoff, social media operates in a similar manner. He explains to CNBC Make It that social media is an "emotional roulette wheel" that helps us reduce our uncertainty about how we will feel next by scrolling through it.

To increase productivity, counterintuitively, one can use the same concept, according to him. Melnikoff provides his top three tips for intentionally inducing a state of flow.

Reframe your tasks to add uncertainty

To induce flow, increase uncertainty in your tasks, suggests Melnikoff. The more unknowns you encounter, the more chances you'll have to transform each one into a specific result.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by trying to clear your entire inbox, set a timer for 15 minutes and see how many emails you can tackle within that time frame.

To promote flow in your life, mentally represent your tasks as uncertain as possible, so that by taking action, you can minimize uncertainty, according to Melnikoff.

Avoid yes-or-no questions

Instead of asking whether he can finish a specific section within the next hour when writing an academic paper, Melnikoff sets a goal to write a specific number of words within the next hour and keeps writing until the hour ends.

Completing all 12 items on your to-do list before 5 p.m. is not conducive to flow, according to Melnikoff. Instead of focusing on success or failure, try challenging yourself to finish as many items as possible.

Melnikoff suggests considering the number of words as a continuous outcome that can range from zero to thousands and thousands, rather than a binary success or failure outcome with only two possibilities, which makes it less certain.

Think in terms of streaks

Melnikoff suggests thinking in terms of streaks. How many consecutive questions can you answer? How many shots in a row can you make on the basketball court? What's the minimum number of attempts you need before considering yourself successful?

Melnikoff advises focusing on an ambiguous number of consecutive successes or failures when asking questions like "Can I make my next five shots in a row?"

These tips are intended to help you complete your to-do list or time-blocked calendar with greater efficiency and less stress, without replacing your other productivity strategies.

"According to Melnikoff, if you have the opportunity to devote a significant amount of time to an activity, you should strive to achieve a flow state. People appreciate the feeling of being productive and fully immersed in what they're doing, which enhances their happiness."

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