5 Things you need to know about flow and leadership

For this week’s Fast 5 I wanted to do something a little different. And instead of giving you an overview of 5 different topics, I wanted to go really deep on one. 

And this week I wanted to talk about FLOW. 

It’s something that has been popping up a lot for me, and for my clients. Here’s what flow helps us to do:

• It helps us be more productive and
• It helps us embrace our situation, continue to grow and increase our overall happiness

So before I get too caught up in the benefits of flow let’s get into our Fast 5. 

1. Flow requires challenge. About 4% more than your current skill level to be exact. But what does that look like in real life? It looks like 1 step outside of your comfort zone. Putting yourself in situations where you don’t know all the answers and you need to figure them out. Or trying new situations in a low-risk setting. Incorporating challenges into your week is going to help  you find more flow in everyday life. 
2. Flow requires less not more. Have you ever been so in the zone, that time seemed to stop? That’s because your frontal cortex (which is responsible for perception of time) fires off less when you are in flow. Stressing about deadlines or time sensitive situations is going to block your flow. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to complete big projects or tasks in order to properly hit that sweet spot and feel a state of flow. 
3. Flow requires better questions. There are no stupid questions, BUT  there are better questions. Sometimes we are able to get in flow from new ideas and this can be possible when we ask better questions. If you want to learn how to ask better questions in your team meetings,  I have a template dedicated to that. Just flick me the word “MAXIMISE” and I’ll get you sorted. 
4. Flow requires space. Just like you need enough time to reach a state of flow, you also need enough cognitive space. This is why some people find that it’s easiest to get into flow when they are going for a walk, or in the shower. These are activities that don’t require as much brain power and allow us the space to let go or to think more deeply. So make sure to pencil some uninterrupted white space into your week.
5. Flow requires fear. The people who achieve the most not only get into flow the most, but they also lean in when things get tough. Anything that exists outside our comfort zone or pushes us to grow can seem scary but remember that calculated risk isn’t something to be scared of. Those moments of adrenaline can give you access to  the best of your abilities… and that’s when flow comes. Just ask the F1 drivers. 

Now you can see how flow can help you more, are you ready to nail your productivity and happiness all by embracing flow? 

Be the Ripple - Creates Waves of Change 

🌊Jade