Optimising Performance (Part 1)

Have you ever had this kind of exciting feeling? Let me illustrate by sharing you an experience.

“Daddy, please wake up. You need to drive me to school.”

I put down the book and opened the door.

“Darling, are you joking? Why are you going to school in the wee of the morning?”

My daughter looked at me with great surprise, “Daddy, it’s already 6:30am!”

It was my turn to be surprised. I turned to look at the clock and confirmed that she was right.

I have been so absorbed in reading my book. I have read literally non-stop for more than seven hours.

When you examine your life, I’m sure you will be able to recall times when you were so focused on what you were doing that you totally forgot about time.

It could be anything, eg. hobby, sports, work, project, special interests, studies, leisure, entertainment, etc.

You were enjoying yourself so much that you were not aware of what was going around you and what was happening to you.

Nothing in the environment could distract you. It might cause you discomfort but you were too absorbed by your actions to notice it.

You could be tired and your muscles aching. You could even be sleepy, thirsty, or hungry. Still, you were totally immersed in what you were doing.

The activity could be challenging but you were handling it well. In fact, you felt relaxed and in control. You were able to perform it with confidence, strength, and efficacy.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (chick-sent-me-hi) pioneered the study of such a condition and called it flow.

There are other terms that have been used to describe such a condition. They include in the zone, in sync, on the ball, in the groove, with unconscious competence, and living at the moment.

Flow can be achieved by anybody and for any tasks that we might be doing. If we can achieve this condition, we will be able to not only enjoy the experience, but also perform at our best.

Reflect on an experience when you experienced flow. Think of why and how did it happened?

Consider how you can reproduce the flow state so that you can improve your performance in life.

Go4It!

I hope this message will find a place in your heart.

By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.

Please go to ‘Notes’ found below my profile picture.

Visit my Inspiration blog at http://liewinspiration.wordpress.com

Visit my Transformation blog at http://hsrpatrickliew.wordpress.com

Please read them and continue to teach me.

Life is FUNtastic!

 

Question: How can we experience flow in our lives?