You know those times when you totally immerse yourself in a task and lose track of all time and what’s going on in the outside world?
That’s called being in a state of flow, and it’s a beautiful thing to achieve in business. It’s when you’re most productive, too.
It’s what today’s episode of the Suitcase Entrepreneur Lifestyle Show is all about – oh and the $10,000 Giveaway is starting today!
Episode Four: How To Get in a State of Flow like Niagara Falls and Be Way More Productive
This year I finally made it to Niagara Falls, one of the three largest (and most famous) waterfalls in the world. This meant I have now seen them all, and I still think Iguassu Falls in Argentina and Brazil are the most spectacular.
However Niagara Falls – the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York – has its highlights.
It’s often described as the Ultimate Vacation getaway. I’d refer to it affectionately as Little Las Vegas.
To be honest, that’s what it felt like driving alongside the peaceful river only to be suddenly confronted by large hotels, casinos, bright tacky lights and throngs of tourists.
What is impressive though is the raw power of the falls, where millions of gallons of water rocket over every minute – about 750,000 gallons each second!
One statement I do agree with is that “There’s no closer place to “feel Niagara’s flow” than from the decks, boats, vista points and trails of Niagara Falls State Park – America’s oldest state park.”
And it’s flow that I want to focus on today as an entrepreneur because we all want to be in the flow, where things just seem effortless and you get a crazy amount of important work done, in what seems like no time at all.
Watch this video to learn how to get in a state of flow
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Definition of Flow
Urban Dictionary had several definitions for this, the best fit for this episode was:
A state of mind where one does not worry about time, money, material possessions, but instead decides to relax and take life as it comes.
Unhappy person: Life sucks.
Bro: Naw man, just chill and go with the flow.
My definition of flow
The state you achieve and the way you feel when working on the thing you love most, with reckless abandon.
How do you get in a state of flow?
A state of flow is not an easy thing to achieve because you’re creating a moment in time when you’re both challenged (in a good way) by the activity you’re doing, and you are completely in control and free to do this task.
Normally we don’t get in a state of flow because we’re too busy, or overwhelmed by everything going on in our lives, whether it’s work projects, family life, sports or group commitments and our own thoughts and feelings. Yes, life gets in the way.
If you need tips how to become the master of your day and escape from being too busy, read this post here.
So you need to do the following:
1. Choose your peak time
If you’re a morning person, then get up 30 minutes to work on the one priority you’ve set for the day. If you’re a night owl, then hit your big project late at night when you feel most creative and alert. Don’t try and work on something you don’t enjoy when you’re in a tired or distracted state.
2. Create a distraction free zone
Even if you have the best of intentions, you must set up a distraction free space and place to work on your `thang’. That means no social media, no phones, no alerts, no TV, no kids, or partner. But of course music is good if you work well with it on. This is only for 30 minutes initially, so help people close to you understand why they should honor your `alone’ time by leaving you alone.
3. Focus in on the task at hand
Your mind will most definitely wander, so just catch yourself gazing out the window, thinking about your workout, or that guy you met last week, and come back to the task at hand. Tools like Leechblock are great for clearing everything else off your desktop so you can just write and focus. If you’re a visual person, pull out a blank piece of paper and draw up a mind map of your task. Each time you do this, aim to focus on your task for a few minutes longer. You’ll soon go from 10 minutes to 30 minutes and then beyond – even if you’re totally ADD.
Tell me one way you are going to set yourself up to get in the flow more often.
Be part of my $10,000 Giveaway
I’m throwing a big celebration from today through to Nov 9th! If you join the $100 Change Program, you automatically go in the draw to win 1 of 50+ prizes valued over $10,000 in total.
I reached out to the change makers in my 100 day program and was completely blown away by their generosity.
- Danielle LaPorte gave me Your Beautiful Big Book Plan program ($150)
- Alexis Neely gifted one spot on her Money Map To Freedom course ($1495)
- James Clear donated How To Email Important People Course ($99)
- Lea Woodward gave Lifetime Membership to Startup Training School ($159)
Plus so many more amazing prizes. Why? Because like me, they believe in you and giving you the launch pad you deserve to start something special or build your existing business.
So what are you waiting for?
