By Alice Trimmer
We’ve probably all heard about artists and writers who have such passion for their work they forget to eat and sleep—time passes without their being aware of it. We may have experienced something similar ourselves—we are engaged in a discussion of a topic that deeply interests us, and ideas start flying around. Or we are engaged in a piece of writing and suddenly things fall into place and we are off like a rocket. When this happens, we may be experiencing that coveted state that is called flow—a deep immersion in our work when everything just “comes together” in an engaging and joyful process. But often this is not the case, and we putter around not knowing where to start. Or we suddenly get interrupted after finally beginning a project we have long postponed.
In a special livestreamed talk for the new MHI mentees, held on November 11, Teresa Carale, president of Murray Hill Institute, shared tips on how to jumpstart the process of flow based on practices recommended by the OptimalWork approach. Developed by Dr. Kevin Majeres, a psychiatrist on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, OptimalWork unites cognitive behavioral psychology and classical virtue theory.
The three most common obstructions to productive work are: anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and distractions. Anxiety can cause us to see obstacles as threats to be avoided for fear of failure or pain. But these obstacles can be re-framed as opportunities for growth. Complaining is a common reaction to anxiety and stress, and it can serve as a major roadblock to growth. If we can recognize the opportunity for growth it puts the situation into a wider context and at the same time enables us to take greater control by moving the challenge within us. This positive shift becomes a gateway to flow. Distractions can be tackled by focusing on one thing at a time, striving to give your full attention to what you are doing. You can think of this as sequential uni-tasking rather than multitasking. If you are interrupted, switch your attention 100% to the person who interrupted you before turning back to your task.
Teresa had many practical suggestions for organizing the work day, including deciding in advance what is the most important goal or task to be accomplished that day and instituting a “golden hour” to prepare our mind to perform at our best and engage in mindful, focused work that will free us to dedicate ourselves more fully to our highest ideals. If you would like to find out more about the OptimalWork process, view their YouTube Channel: OptimalWork, or visit their website at www.optimalwork.com