The American Psychological Association describes flow this way:Ī state of optimal experience arising from intense involvement in an activity that is enjoyable, such as playing a sport, performing a musical passage, or writing a creative piece. It’s being so wrapped up in something that you lose track of…well, everything else. All the ideas and pieces fit together perfectly.Ī flow state is a recognized part of positive psychology, and similar concepts have been practiced in Daoism and Buddhism for thousands of years. That night, it felt like the stars aligned just for me. Those focused, quiet hours at the kitchen table with my laptop went by in a happy, productive blur. As I slipped into flow, the concept of time passing disappeared and the sense of assembling and creating took over my experience. It wasn’t easy work-in fact, it was pretty challenging-but I knew that the project could have a huge positive impact on my company, so I was committed to giving it my best shot.įree from distraction or constraints (beyond missing my usual bedtime), my mind was able to approach problems from various angles, brainstorm creative potential solutions, and really, truly focus on the work in front of me. One night, I was working on a project I was really excited about. It’s a state that many have come to identify as “flow.” What is Flow? You know what I’m talking about-those moments when energy, inspiration, motivation, and environment perfectly combine to get you into a state of ultimate productivity, focus, and fulfillment. Those are the days that make you want to throw up your hands and just walk (or run) away from it all.īut as familiar as you might be with that feeling, you’re probably familiar with the feeling on the opposite end of the spectrum, too. We’ve all had those days that seem to drag on forever: the ideas don’t come, the energy isn’t there, and you can’t seem to stay focused on the task at hand. A lot of times, work can be difficult, tedious, or downright frustrating.
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