How not to achieve ‘flow’

Multitasking is overrated.

“The word priority… was singular…the very first or prior thing…. Only in the 1900s did we pluralize the term… Illogically, we reasoned that by changing the word we could bend reality. Somehow we would now be able to have multiple “first” things.” — McKeown, Essentialism

Either: do several things simultaneously to an average standard, or do a single thing with excellence.

I’d choose excellence every time. [1]

The thing is — that choice is yours to make.

Say no to opportunities that are anything less than ‘exciting’. Have a single priority at a time — in fact, erase the idea of ‘priorities’. One thing at a time, all the time.

Stop pretending to yourself that you can focus on multiple things. Focus on one thing, and throw yourself into it. To do otherwise is doing yourself and your creativity a disservice.

In doing so, you will improve your access to the mysterious, magical flow. Lots is written about ‘flow state’. I won’t claim to understand how to achieve flow, or even what it is and how it works. Because I don’t know.[2]

I may not understand it, but I have been in flow. Duly, I do know how not to achieve flow. And that’s multitasking. Flow necessitates unwavering focus. Alongside a hefty splash of passion and a bunch of other things I don’t quite understand. But mostly laser focus.

Sure, you can produce average work though multitasking, and good work through plain old focus.

But in my experience the best work is produced in flow state.[3] Some might call it inspiration from their Muse. As far as I’m concerned, it’s damn near magic.

Illogically, we reasoned that by changing the word we could bend reality.

Eliminate distraction. Eliminate things that are ‘good enough’. Find focus and you will find the magic of flow.

Eliminate that which doesn’t light you on fire and you will never burn out.

[1] In practice it never quite works out that way, but I do always aim for focus.

[2] Not something I admit to readily, but to pretend otherwise would be dishonest.

[3] ‘Rivers flow, writing doesn’t’ was drilled into me during English. Maybe you heard it too. In any case, maybe writing doesn’t ‘flow’. But writers do.