Let’s talk about the idea of “flow”. Everyone has heard of the “flow state”–that magical state of peak performance being when you lose track of time blissfully and effortlessly engaged in an activity you absolutely love! It’s a state of being that eludes many creative entrepreneurs and solo professionals who are stuck in their businessess.
As trite as it may sound, to experience flow, we have to step out of our own way and follow our individual path of least resistance. That’s what flow is- your individual path of least resistance! If you don’t walk your own individual path, you’ll never experience your flow (an awesome life).
Flow doesn’t just show up because you want it to. You first have to know who you are, what you stand for, and how you will create value for people– and play your natural game. You have to know “who you are” in order for you to align “what you do” with “who you are”. Knowing “who you are” is the only means to experience, with absolute clarity, the game you are playing is the perfect one for you. Your own unique path is the only path in which you will ever experience “flow”– defined as your endless capacity to create and achieve what you desire in an easy and relaxed way!
For many entrepreneurs, what they do is stressful, and feels like hard work!
Believe me, if what you are currently doing to create success feels anything like hard work, that’s your cue you’re not “walking in your path of least resistance”. You’re burning daylight on the wrong path doing all the wrong stuff. That stuff keeps you and your business from breaking thru to the next level of game. Doing the wrong stuff steals your most important business asset–TIME!
Following your path of least resistance means choosing to play your own natural game. This will attract to you others who are playing the same game at higher levels than you, new opportunity and possibilities to up your game will seem effortless and endless, and you will sense that everything and everyone is favorable and supportive to your ideas.
By now, you’re probably asking yourself “how do I get me some more flow mojo”?
The seven phenomena of flow
According to the 5,000 year old Chinese system of thinking known as the I-Ching, as you follow your individual path of least resistance, you will experience seven phenomena that will accelerate your progress, growth and success. I’m confident you have experienced and recognize one or more of these during those times when you were experiencing moments of peak performance:
The flow of critical moments
You recognize those moments where the game is won or lost. Your sense of timing, discernment, and decisiveness enables you to capitalize on opportunity long before anyone else does.
The flow of learning cycles
You recognize that everything is a learning cycle. The more you play, the deeper your passion, and the better you get. This knowledge sharpens your effectiveness in future critical moments.
The flow of failing forward
You know there are only two kinds of failure– one gives you learning, the other ends the game. When you experience outcomes you don’t want, you’ll know immediately what to do next to play bigger and better.
The flow of new opportunities
You recognize there are only two kinds of opportunity. One you create, the other you attract. You have no problem saying “no” to anything that keeps you comfortable and holds you back, and you attract only the opportunities that will continue to expand your scene.
The flow of your commitments
You know your decision to follow your path is irrevocable. Being certain and “all in” on your vision demonstrates your faith and escalates your attraction of resources necessary to make it physical reality.
The flow of your perseverance
You know that ideas take their own sweet time coming into form, and you are willing to persevere on your natural path through thick and thin, no matter what.
The flow of your momentum
You recognize that momentum is the force created by the previous six, all working in harmony to accelerate your performance like a precision racing motor.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”.
– Oliver Wendall Holmes
Flow is within you not outside of you– the well spring of your flow is found at the core of your white hot center. You have unique talents, gifts, capabilities and insight that have always been there. You may not recognize their value because they are so natural to you. You hardly give them a second thought. But if you carefully assess your past peak moments of performance and brilliance, you will notice a pattern emerging. That pattern of being and doing is you at genius levels. Do more of that, delegate or find partners to do everything else!
You must know with certainty the “game you want play”, and follow the rules of how your game is played. Your growth and success (flow) is determined by who you are, not by what you do. You can be the best at what you do, and still not find a way tap in to the greater flow available for you at the next level of game.
At the end of the day, more flow requires playing a bigger game completely aligned to your individual path of least resistance.
Please share your comments.
