Reading time: 4 – 6 minutes
This is the fifth in a series of articles about Flow. In each of the articles I’ll look more closely at Flow, each of the individual characteristics, and how we can use Flow in our leadership practice.
In the first article of the series, I talked about the idea of Flow as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 
Intense Focus
When we take part in an activity that is matched to our skills, that has clear goals and we are getting immediate feedback on our performance we tend to get more deeply involved in the activity, even if we don’t see it as “important”. This can really happen with any activity: reading, watching or playing sports, even washing the dishes. There are times that our concentration is so deep that it feels like we don’t even need to think about what we are doing, everything just seems to come to us automatically, even tasks that are difficult or even dangerous (Here I’m thinking about my time rock climbing).
But not every activity in which we lose ourselves will result in a Flow experience. That’s why Csikszentmihalyi has identified nine different characteristics that need to be present in order to experience Flow. Certainly deepened concentration is one of the big characteristics. When we do most tasks, our minds wander. We tend to think about everything under the sun while giving the slightest attention to our current task. Let’s face it, that’s why we think we are such great multitaskers, our “ability” to think about many things at the same time.
Multitasking is a Flow Stopper
This explains why we always seem so harried when we try to do more; when we try to do everything at once, instead of focusing on one thing at a time. It’s impossible to experience Flow when we try to multitask because when we multitask, we don’t have the capacity to concentrate deep enough on a given activity.
As I’ve said before when we are able to experience Flow, life is more engaging and enjoyable. Since we aren’t able to find Flow when we multitask, life will never be enjoyable if we insist on trying to focus on more than one thing at a time. So, I’ll say it this way: multitasking is the enemy of Flow. It is a definite Flow killer.
So, how do we get to the point where we are able to concentrate so deeply on an activity that we can produce Flow? The key is really being able to focus on the present. This is so important, that is it actually the sixth characteristic of Flow and I’ll talk more about it in the next article in this series. But to explain briefly, when we are able to focus on what is happening right now with the activity we are engaged in, everything else starts to fall away. The less distractions we have, the more focused we can be on the task at hand and the deeper our concentration becomes.
Sometimes we are able to fall into deep concentration no matter what is going on around us. Here I’m thinking about being engrossed in a book on a crowded train or in a loud airport. Other times, we need to find a quiet place to concentration fully.
In the past (when I actually worked in an office) I would leave the hubbub of the office and go to the library to work if I had an important report to write. I put myself in a physical space that allowed me to have no distractions and concentrate fully on the report I was writing.
When we find ourselves so focused on an activity that everything else seems to fall away we are so deeply concentrating on the task that it almost becomes automatic and effortless. This is when we have opened ourselves up to experience Flow.
Leader’s Reflection: When we are able to experience Flow on a regular basis we are able to live a happy and satisfying life. When we are able to experience Flow in our everyday work we find the work more satisfying. When we focus our attention on the activity we are engaged in, to the point where our concentration is completely on the task, we have the opportunity to experience Flow. When we try to multitask we aren’t able to have the level of focus and concentration we need to have a Flow experience.
Tom, I read the book and it had great impact on me. You are right about concentration, especially if the activity has a high skill element that matches my personal abilities. When I’m concentrating in something I love to do, such as writing a post on my blog, I’m in the present moment. When I’m in the present moment I loose track of time. When I’m done with the post I’m feeling completely fulfilled. So the feeling of fulfillment comes after the concentration. I’m not sure how people can say that they are productive multitasking. I recently read that the youngest generation is able to do that and be effective. For me, concentrating on the task at hand is the most productive approach. Thanks for your contribution to Flow and for following me on Twitter.
Marguerite, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I think you are right. Multitasking is about getting things done, but it comes at the cost of being fulfilled. To me it is difficult to concentrate on many things and still be content and satisfied with the work.