Have you ever looked up from your work to find hours have passed in what felt like minutes? That magical state of total immersion, what psychologists call "flow", might be the key to unlocking your greatest potential and reclaiming your life from digital distraction.
In this enlightening conversation, former Hollywood executive and Academy Award winner Steven Puri shares his remarkable journey from visual effects producer to productivity expert. After working on blockbusters like Independence Day and holding executive positions at DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox, Steven discovered a common thread among high performers across creative and technical fields: their ability to harness flow states for extraordinary results without sacrificing their wellbeing.
Drawing from the groundbreaking research of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Steven reveals practical strategies for entering these heightened states of productivity where "the river magnifies your effort." You'll discover why identifying your "one thing" each morning creates momentum, how understanding your chronotype can revolutionise your workday, and why protecting your attention has become an urgent battle against trillion-dollar companies designed to "steal your life."
This conversation goes beyond typical productivity advice to address a profound question: "We all have something great inside us, are we going to get it out or not?" Steven challenges us to consider whether we'll reach old age lamenting all we could have created, or whether we'll harness flow states to bring our unique gifts into the world.
Whether you're struggling with constant distractions, feeling overwhelmed by competing priorities, or simply seeking to do deeper, more meaningful work, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable techniques to transform how you work and live. The difference between finishing your day fulfilled or frustrated often comes down to one decision, are you ready to make it?

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:41 Steven Purry's Background and Career Journey

01:19 Transition to Film and Digital Effects

03:00 Success in Hollywood and Starting a Company

04:39 Failures and Lessons from Startups

05:58 Discovering Flow States

09:38 Practical Tips for Achieving Flow

13:22 The Suka Company and Its Mission

17:50 Daily Practices for Productivity

23:11 Balancing Grand Plans and Daily Focus

25:56 Understanding Procrastination

28:29 The Role of AI in Productivity

31:01 The Future of Work with AI

33:10 Achieving Flow State in Business

40:32 Chronotypes and Productivity

44:57 Final Thoughts and Resources

You can contact Steven Here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-puri/

🌐 https://www.thesukha.co/

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This video is published by Trish Hewitt of Haylo HR HR. The information in this video is for general guidance only and, although the presenter believes it was correct at the time it was recorded (September 2025), the law may have changed since then. You should always seek your own legal advice. This advice adheres to employment law within England, Scotland and Wales.