“Flow is a highly focused state of relaxation concentration that obliterates all else out of consciousness. It is the state of self-actualization or transcendental behavior that is euphoric.”
~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in his book ‘Flow’
The rising of the sun was quite dramatic this morning. The multi-layered clouds made for a dreamy, pink sky. And when the sun did finally make it’s appearance, it held a very warm -and reassuring – glow.
Today, I have to admit that I am tired. Not tired in the physical sense, but tired mentally. I’ve had enough experience over the years to know that it is time for a break. I’ve been pushing myself a bit too hard, or maybe just enough, but now it’s time to ease up a bit. Work has begun to feel ‘out of the flow’. So I was again thinking about Michael Jordon, and his gracious ability to push himself with a seeming effortlessness.
These kinds of thoughts always bring me back to a favorite post by Leo Babauta over at ZenHabits.net entitled ‘The Tao of Productivity’. About being ‘in the flow’, he lists out 5 qualities:
1. Being Content
2. Mastering Non-Action
3. Relinquishing Control
4. Stop Planning
5. Letting go of success & need for approval (yes, really!)
6. Doing your work and Stepping Back
Many of the short quotes which follow got me through the dark and strenuous days of making the decision to sell my business, then finally doing it …
May you too find serenity of being in the flow of productivity, and knowing when it’s time to step to push, time to allow, or time to step back ♥
The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.
She steps out of the way
and lets the Tao speak for itself.
The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.
Other people have a purpose;
I alone don’t know.
I drift like a wave on the ocean,
I blow as aimless as the wind.
Success is as dangerous as failure.
Hope is as hollow as fear.
Whether you go up the ladder or down it,
your position is shaky.
When you stand with your two feet on the ground,
you will always keep your balance.
The gentlest thing in the world
overcomes the hardest thing in the world.
That which has no substance
enters where there is no space.
Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.
http://zenhabits.net/tao-of-productivity/
