Some days getting into the flow with your work assignments and projects is easy. Other days, not so much. You end up sitting at your desk for hours waiting for inspiration to strike. If only there was a way to move things along and give yourself a chance of getting into the flow.
The good news is there is. There’s a lot you can do. You can set up your surroundings to make them conductive to getting into the flow. You can play your favorite tunes to get you in the mood. You can light a candle, get comfy or do whatever it takes to get into a routine that helps you get in the flow.
There’s a lot you can do but frankly, often the simplest and most effective way is to just start. Make up your mind that you will get the work done. Don’t even worry about getting in the flow or not. The only thing non-negotiable is starting and getting as much done as you can. Give it your best effort.
You’ll be surprised how often that’s enough to get you in the flow. Before you know it the words start to flow, the spreadsheets start to make sense, or a plan comes together beautifully. You’re in the flow and work is flying off your desk.
When you think about it for a minute it makes sense that starting, moving in the right direction, helps you get in the flow. The flow is all about momentum and the only wrong thing you can do is to not do anything at all.
Don’t let worries, fear, or indecision paralyze you into inaction. Instead, make a plan based on the information you have and move forward with as much confidence as you can muster. Work on the first task on your to-do list and get that done. Move on to the next item and so on and so forth. Before you know it you’re making some real progress.
And chances are good that you’ll find yourself in the flow by now. If not, that’s O.K. At least you’re making some serious progress. That’s what counts. Flow is nice, but not always necessary.
Keep trying, keep plugging away and once you make this kind of work ethic or attitude a habit, you’ll be surprised to find that more often than not you do get in the flow, even in the oddest circumstances. There may be plenty of distractions and none of your usual rituals are in place, yet you get into the flow just by moving ahead with your work and making some progress.
Sometimes the simplest ideas work. Give it a try and see if just getting started doesn’t help you get in the flow state.
