A great exercise is actually washing the dishes in a state of absolute mindlessness and focus on perfecting dishwashing technique. Zen monks do this with a range of domestic activities. Dishwashing is special because as you clear the external clutter of your life, wiping in clean and putting everything in their right and ordered place, so too the inner world will reflect this external "ordering" process.
I find that if I do this immediately before I begin work I am much more likely to be disciplined, focussed, dispassionate and together, which are all good conditions for flow.
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