Taking a different take on flow, I find that when my intentions and desires are in alignment with the manifestation of them (ie, when I see signs that things are unfolding accordingly), that’s when I am in flow.

Actually, even when I see a task that seems overwhelming to me, I’m more apt to be in flow with it once I’ve imagined myself on the other end of having accomplished it. By focusing on how it would feel, I then find ways to do it that are effortless and easy without being a challenge (maybe it’s just the word challenge that I don’t concur with – we can attach a lot of meanings to words!).

Hmmm your post sure made me think and stirred up a lot about how people view flow, challenges and easy. I may have to blog about what comes up!

Thanks SO much for dropping by and adding to the conversation, I’d love to see you here more often!

Flow is the state where there is a sense of deep enjoyment in the moment and time seems to alter (stands still or passes in an instant).

What I found out is that flow happens when: a) the skills required by the task and the skills of the person doing it are almost evenly matched (if the task is too hard it leads to frustration, and if too easy it leads to boredom); b) the person doing the task is doing it willingly; and c) the task provides some sort of feedback as to how well they are doing it.

Flow increases when the task is inherently enjoyable and there is a sense of connection with others involved.

So a task feels easy and effortless when the person doing it is in flow, but it may not actually be easy (otherwise boredom would set in.) My most amazing instance of flow happened over three hours cleaning the gutters on a bitterly cold December day.

I actually chose this as the activity that would bring me most joy in that moment, even though at the time I had chronic pain and was not very mobile so climbing up and down the step-ladder was an effort, and I had to constantly focus to retain my balance when at the top of the ladder.

This job which would likely have been boring to anyone else was challenging for me, but not so much that I became anxious. It definitely was not easy. However, the time flew by, and I felt at ease, deeply happy and fulfilled by what I was doing.

Part of the ease of flow comes from not resisting the demands of the activity.

Many people think of easy as being able to do something with one hand tied behind their back (this actually could lead to flow if it made the job sufficiently challenging), and resist when they find they either have to concentrate and put some type of effort into something they are told is easy, or are bored out of their tree because it really is too easy.

But if they were aware that they could only feel ease if the job presented enough of a challenge to engage their skills, then they might find ways to either make the job either more challenging or easier to match their skill level.

I think I may have lost my own thread here (equivalent to losing my marbles) but what I’m trying to say (I think) is that maybe rather than telling people ‘it’s easy’ tell them that they can feel ease in any situation where they can match what they are doing to their skills.

When people think they have to fight it’s because they see the task as requiring more whatever (skill, money. knowledge, time) than they have available.

So probably what’s needed is help to break their goal down into smaller chunks. They acquire knowledge and experience as they work towards each smaller goal, can better tell how well they are doing, and feel a sense of achievement when they reach it, which spurs them to take the next step Conversely, if they are bored in a job then make it more challenging.

The chap (with an impossible name to spell without looking it up) who has researched flow for over 30 years said that any everyday task (cleaning your teeth, getting ready to go to work, having a job on an assembly line) can be made into a flow experience by making it more difficult.

For example, put a time constraint on it and try to beat it, next time lower the time allowed to complete it. Or try and do it more efficiently.

Most importantly, do the job for the joy of doing it, not for where it will take you.

He called flow “a magnet for growth” because people become addicted to it and so are always increasing their skills because they need harder tasks as their skills increase. Those who live in flow almost constantly are apparently able to withstand stress and live each day with serenity and satisfaction.

So, if you look upon those people who complain that things are difficult and they have to struggle to get things done as people who don’t know about flow and how to make it work in their life, you may find that being around them is easier if you cannot let it wsh over you.

And they may be more likely to accept being taught a new skill, especially one that makes them feel great, than to accept the “hippie stuff”. That can come later once they find ease is possible.

I think we’ve all been addicted to struggle at some point.. esp when we get attached to outcomes, results and having it a certain way.

When I remember to focus on what I’m manifesting and trust that it’s all happening perfectly, i’m floating in that happy world of possibilities. But when I start asking why it isn’t here yet, or thinking about the next step if I didn’t get what I wanted, those thoughts create an inconsistency with the moment and lead to struggle.

Kudos to you for doing it your way and knowing what you need to do to bring yourself back to easy! Never mind the people who call us bonkers and hippies lol, as long as it’s working right ?

Dana, when it comes to those ‘have-to’ relationships, having a filter (only hear what you want to hear) can be a good thing. True, we can’t choose certain relationships but we can choose how we respond to triggers and circumstances. That could well be the biggest test of all. Think of all that amazing practice!

Thanks for sharing ladies, love it.