Reading time: 4 – 7 minutes
This is the sixth 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 
When we are concentrating deeply on the task at hand, we are able to lose ourselves in the present moment. Because we are focusing so much on the present moment, we lose our capacity to think about those everyday things that occupy our minds throughout the day. By focusing on the present moment, we are using all of our thought capacity on the task at hand.
With no extra capacity available, we can no longer dwell on things that happened in the past or things that we are anticipating to happen in the future. In this way, Flow is kind of like what happens during meditation, but with Flow the purpose is action leading to growth as opposed to inaction leading to growth.
An Escape From Worries and Fears
This intense focus on the present moment admittedly allows us a sort of escape from our worries and fears; not unlike the escape we could get from alcohol, drugs or other escapist activities. Let’s face it if we have enough drinks, all the worries of the day just melt away.
But the thing is, these escapist activities only mask our worries and fears. When we focus on the present moment and it leads to a Flow experience we are able to move beyond our worries and fears.
Flow experiences come from growth activities and while we may be “escaping” from our daily worries and fears when we are focused on the present moment, we are also growing with the experience. With this growth comes the ability to move beyond our daily worries and fears as we move forward to new challenges and opportunities.
Staying Focused on the Present Moment
With all of the overwhelming demands on our time, it can be hard to stay focused on the present moment. In fact, it takes practice. But it can be done. The greatest period of growth in my life came a number of years ago. Looking back on this time it is somewhat remarkable. Something I still don’t fully understand.
For about a two-year period I was focused on my own personal development. I read a great number of books on the subject of personal development and leadership. Over a one year period I even listened to 106 books on tape during my commute to and from work.
As part of this personal development work, I practiced focusing on the present moment throughout the day and I got quite good at it. In fact, at some point I stop wearing a watch. All day long I would focus on who or what was in front of me. If I was having a conversation with someone, that was the most important thing going on and I focused completely on the conversation and the person I was with, effectively blocking out everything else.
Here is the amazing thing that I still can’t explain today: In the two years I went without wearing a watch (and not focusing on time) I was only late for a meeting once! I used to say that the most important place for me to be at any given time was where I was at that time. By believing that and focusing completely on the present moment I got into a rhythm with time and when it was time for me to move on to the next most important place to be I would be ready for it.
I still look back on this time as the most satisfying and happiest time of my life. Most of it has to with my consistent focus on the present moment which helped me to experience Flow on a fairly regular basis. The growth I was able to experience as an individual and as a leader continues to pay me dividends today.
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 are able to stay focused on the present moment we have the opportunity to experience Flow. When we focus completely on the present moment, our capacity to dwell on our worries and fears that are based on what happened in the past or what we anticipate will happen in the future is greatly diminished.
Tom, What a wonderful series. It’s so easy to spout what some consider new age-isms but it’s not always easy to live them. It’s clear that you “get it and have lived it” so you can gently guide readers through what flow looks and feels like and explore the benefits to their jobs and lives. Here’s to more empathic and effective leadership through flow!
Thanks for your kind words Jeanne. I think you are right. Many folks will take a look at Flow and recognize that it may have happened to them at some point in their lives. But few realize that not only is it possible, but that it takes a concerted effort to find Flow on a consistent and ongoing basis. To me, this is key to the “meaning of life”, finding something that allows us to grow as individuals that allows us to be happy and satisfied.