In our life, whether it be business or just general life the need is greater than ever for intentional focus. We are at war with the spaces we work or play in for our time, energy, and attention. Everyone claims to have the ideal system. News flash, you have to find your own system and what works for you. I found one that works for me that I am going to share that comes from a bunch or teachings I’ve accumulated knowledge of over the years.
I think at first you have to find what works, which can take a long time. I’ve dabbled or played in a ton of different teachings as a learner trying to find the right mantra that could keep me on path. After I did that, my aim was to make it simple. So simple, I didn’t need a calendar, technology, or anything I needed to depend on to make this system work for me. It came interestingly enough from one my runs.
Faith x Form = Flow.
These three words I can recall at any time to help ground me, push me through to a goal when I feel like giving up, and create a discipline to follow for all my work. Each word gives me pause when I say them either out loud or in my head. They create a pause for long enough to decide does what I am doing mean something to me? If so what? And, where is the breakdown if not meeting the word where its original intention is suppose to land. Let me unpack it.
When I think of faith first it is about faith in my beliefs. Faith in what I am doing, that I can do it. Faith in family and friends that can help me. Faith that I have someone at work that is in my corner, a coach that believes in my talents. Faith in my team working by my side. Faith means I am not alone, and I can do it, as long as I believe in it. From our thoughts, so comes our actions. Sometimes my internal answer is no, then it’s time to ask why I am doing it in the first place.
When I think of form second if faith is a “yes,” I am thinking how I am working through the work. Is my form in running, to use an example, upright, straight, and not expending energy where it shouldn’t be expended. A bad form will quickly move me into burnout. Form at work could be about inclusivity. Is my form open to all, or just a biased few unconsciously or consciously. Bad bias, is bad form. Doesn’t make me approachable at all for my colleagues when my form shows someone who is constantly throwing out micro-aggressions and doesn’t even realize it. Being unapproachable is bad form.
When I think of flow, the formula above says it all. With great faith in myself, form in my output, I achieve flow. It pushes me forward to the end. If the first two in the equation are off, then my flow will never be achieved. It will be a slog to just get through it. With out achieving flow everything becomes harder. I don’t enjoy it, I begin to resent the work. You will know flow, because you’ll be so into what you are doing you will lose sense of time. It just won’t matter. Until you reach the end or the goal.
Faith x Form = Flow.
Simple mantra I can recall at any time, in anything that I do. It keeps me intentional, grounded, and is a system that I can keep in my head anywhere I go. It doesn’t need a cell phone, tablet, or computer. Just my brain. The best productivity tool we have, that we can forget.
What’s yours? I am always looking for a different better way of creating focus or intention. Mine isn’t perfect. And, like I stated above, it’s mine. Might not work for you. But, I believe in the idea or simplicity of this system. That I believe is something that can be a transferable best practice at work or in life.
✌️ Shawn
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