When Mindfulness Trumps Flow

I can sit at my computer for hours at a time, without getting up—just working. I reply to e-mails, then make improvements to strengths programs, and then grab files to attach and send to someone wanting strengths resources. Time passes quickly. I am being challenged by questions and the quantity of tasks yet I stay “in the zone” working. This, by definition, is a flow state because I am very productive, using my skills, and experiencing a challenge.

Some flow states can last a long time. A few years ago, I interviewed the founder of flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, about his observation of flow states over the decades. He recounted a story of his brother who was studying crystals, examining the intricacies of each crystal carefully under a variety of microscopes. His brother, deep in flow, was so captivated by the world inside the crystal that when he looked up from his microscope, it was dark outside. Alongside his engagement and excitement, morning had turned into evening!

Flow states are not typically that long and often not that engaging and exhilarating. Sometimes, they can even lead to a negative effect.

Sure, I am able to send many e-mails and get lots of tasks completed when I’m in flow, but at what cost? After many hours of focused sitting, I feel weary, stiff, and disconnected. I leave my computer in a bit of a haze, as if I’ve just left a virtual world, and am scraping my way back to present moment reality. Unhealthy behavior can be a result of my flow states—skipping or delaying meals and prolonged sedentary behavior, each of which are risk factors for the development of many chronic diseases. Another negative consequence is my flow engagement can extend into the evening where my quality time with family is affected. This can then have a negative effect on my relationships.

I’ve found that the integration of mindfulness and character strengths helps me improve my flow management.

In my example, the simplest possible solution (read: very minimal change) has helped me. As I sit at my computer, I remind myself that whether I’m in flow or not, I need to periodically pause and simply turn my head to the left. Why? To my left is a large window I can look out of and see greenery, trees, the blue sky, and occasionally people walking the streets. For me, this serves as a way to quickly tap my appreciation of beauty strength. This also exercises my perspective strength because I'm stepping back from the details I’m focusing on in flow and reconnecting with the world around me. That is, I become mindful and use my strengths.

Since appreciation of beauty and perspective are signature strengths for me, there is an increased likelihood that I will experience greater energy in the moment.

Then, having gotten an energy boost and a greater sense of present moment awareness, I can consciously decide whether to immediately return to my flow or to go take a break, refresh my coffee, or even quit working for the day.

Mindfulness, therefore, helps me to “break flow” in some instances and make the best overall decision for my health and work productivity.

While mindfulness and flow each have good research support for a number of benefits, neither is perfectly helpful in every situation. Learning when to tap into each is an important skill you can develop.

Give it some thought. If you need additional tips, consider applying the acronym ROAD-MAP, discussed in a different article, as you progress forward.

Resources:

VIA Institute's practical resources: www.viapros.org

Free VIA Survey of strengths: www.viame.org

On mindfulness and character strengths (new website): www.viacharacter.org/mindfulness

On mindfulness and character strengths (new book): Niemiec's Mindfulness and Character Strengths: A Practical Guide to Flourishing

On flow theory: Csikszentmihalyi's Finding Flow (1997)