In this episode of "Help Me Think," I emphasize why top-performing executives must protect their optimal thinking times in their schedules, including when and how they do it. This episode aims to help you identify your ideal mental state for productive thinking and provide insights into when and how to cultivate this state more frequently. I guide you to identify your best mental states for deep thinking, then share strategies to incorporate those into your routines for maximum productivity and efficiency.    KEY TAKEAWAYS Together, we embark on a reflective exercise where you recall your best ideas or problem-solving moments from the past three to six months, considering where you were and what you were doing. Then, I introduce you to a powerful tool called the Mood Meter to reveal your mental state during these moments.   Contrary to popular belief, feeling good and having high energy isn't always ideal for deep thinking. Sometimes, the best thinking occurs when the energy level is more relaxed. I highlight our theta state, a mid-length brain wave pattern associated with daydreaming right before drifting to sleep or waking up. This relaxed mind state has unique access to the subconscious, facilitating creativity and insight.   Then, to delve even deeper into your ideal mental states for visionary, strategic, creative, and critical thinking, I relate all of this to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's Flow Theory and introduce you to the Four Flow Profiles from the Flow Genome Project.   Flow Theory correlates varying emotional conditions with productivity and emphasizes a state of intense focus that enhances productivity, often associated with peak performance and being 'in the zone.' We discuss this concept of flow state and explain how different states of mind impact our thinking process, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities. The Flow Genome Project's assessment helps you identify and understand your peak performance state when you feel and perform your best. (Personally, as a Deep Thinker flow profile, my best ideas emerge during periods of deep, uninterrupted thought.) This analysis of emotional state and flow profiles is helpful for understanding your distinct flow state and how to use it to enhance productivity, leading to more visionary, strategic, creative, and critical thinking   Please tune in now to reflect on your best thinking times and mental states and then consciously create more of these moments, protecting them in your calendars.    EPISODE LINKS Download the Free Worksheet for this Episode: https://starlawest.com/2023/06/the-secret-sauce-of-top-executives-exploring-the-power-of-optimal-thinking-times/ Starla's Website and Newsletter Sign-Up: www.starlawest.com/podcast Starla's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/StarlaWest  Podcast Sponsor, Business Furniture: https://businessfurniture.net/ The Mood Meter App: https://moodmeterapp.com/ 8 Traits of Flow According to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: https://positivepsychology.com/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi-father-of-flow/ Flow Genome Project - Take the Flow Profile: https://www.flowgenomeproject.com/flow-profile   Special Thanks To Our Title Sponsor I want to thank our title sponsor, Business Furniture, an organization celebrating its 100th anniversary and revolutionizing the way we work since 1922. With hybrid work becoming mainstream, Business Furniture offers solutions that balance the flexibility employees crave with the need for fostering collaboration and innovation. Check them out at businessfurniture.net.