23/04/2024
The concept of Flow introduced by renowned psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi shows us the incredible importance of self-awareness and how we can use this to set goals to create highly productive, efficient organizations.
Self-aware and hardworking leaders know what will help lead them to achieving their goals: it's about living in the moment with maximum presence and focus.
We slow down and stagnate when we're doing things that feel wrong-- things we know are unhelpful. Those things bog us down, serving as the “turnovers” or mistakes that wipe out the positive advancements we make.
When we dwell on the past and focus on what’s in the rearview mirror, we stop living in the present and we use less of our creative imagination on designing future plans.
Intense focus and absorption in the moment leads us to bolder thinking around future planning. In fact, the more we plan for deep-thinking moment-by-moment, the more we pave the path for our future of continuous progression toward our goals.
Take these powerful words from Flow that illuminate the need for building for our next step:
“To set the stage for flow, goals need to be clearly defined so that you always know your next step. ‘It could be playing the next bar in a scroll of music, or finding the next foothold if you’re a rock climber, or turning the page if you’re reading a good novel. At the same time, you’re kind of anticipating.’”
When we take this concept and apply it in our own lives as leaders, we think about the importance of goal-planning, anticipation and looking in front of us with enthusiasm and devoted attention.
Whatever we’re trying to complete — it’s best if we have a plan for the end, and how we begin what’s next. This keeps us in motion and provides continuity so there’s no lapse or wasted time.
Goals can be for practical things like achieving a milestone such as writing a book, or simply completing a project. The point is, we’re better immersed in the deep work of what we’re doing and more likely to find flow if we feed ourselves mental and practical goals.
Flow leads to productivity and sustains our momentum for doing those things we love to do, so much so, it seems as if time has stopped.
Set goals. Focus on what you love to do and give your 100% attention to living your everyday life with maximum joy, purpose and energy.
