Finding your flow
How it makes your life enjoyable
We all love that feeling of being so immersed in what you’re doing that you are in the flow or “zone” - you feel in control, focused and your creative juices are flowing through you.
We are probably also equally familiar with the feeling of having to work on something that you absolutely have no desire to do - you procrastinate for as long as possible and you get distracted by EVERYTHING else except for the task on hand.
In the former situation, we feel energised, proud and satisfied with the work. In the latter, we heave a huge sigh of relief of finally getting that thing done and out of the way.
In your typical week, which situation do you find yourself more in?
Does flow “just happens” or can we proactively tap on it to help make our work and thus our lives much more enjoyable?
“Contrary to what we usually believe, moments like these, the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times—although such experiences can also be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experience is thus something that we make happen.” - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Here are 5 ways that help you find flow easier:
Do work that you love - if you don’t love or at least are curious about the work you do; you are going to constantly feel stuck.
Choose and important project that has a lasting impact on your life/ career - prioritise your most productive time on valuable and meaningful work instead of small and routine tasks
It must be challenging but not too difficult - we will get put off if the job is too difficult or overwhelming. In this case, break it down to manageable chunks
Find your quiet peak time when you are have energy and can concentrate - for me these are in the mornings when my mind is most fresh
Clear away any distractions - yes, shut that phone off and close that email box
Out of the 5, the first i.e. Do work that you love - is key to getting you into flow and an immersive state. If you find yourself feeling stuck often; its time to take a step back, evaluate what’s blocking your flow and find ways to remove those blocks.