In addition to chocolate covered marshmallow, I am a great believer in having structure in life, and systems in place that allow you to work and function effectively.
Like a strong wind or a forced piggy back from a friend, structure will take you to where you have set your sights on the horizon.
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However, I am not a stickler for structures and from time to time, like custard filled balloons, I will quite happily throw them out a 6th Story window when an altogether more powerful animal comes knocking.
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There is a beast more powerful then structure that is not always present and cannot be tamed as easily, but when it lifts its ridiculously powerful head some serious working starts happening and great things take place.
But I will leave the beast sedated, just for the moment.
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When Structure Dies…So Do Your Dreams
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The thing about not having a structure, especially when not working a traditional 9-5, is that very quickly your life can run away from you as lost hours become lost days which become lost weeks and very soon you are feeling like Peter Pan.
Without structure you become unfocussed and your time is wasted. One of the fringe benefits, often overlooked by many, of having a job is that it brings with it a strong structure. A fair few people are actually very poor at creating structure in their lives but they only really realise it once they are out of a job.
Rigid structure on the other hand can be equally unproductive and when the beast comes knocking do not try and tame it with structure.
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Taming The Beast when it comes is about as good an idea as a concrete parachute.
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Contrary to the flurry of cyborg films currently hitting Hollywood hard like a Mohammed Ali right hook, we are human, not robotic and thus the state that we are in, both emotionally and physically, will vary at any given time. Our levels of enthusiasm, concentration, creativity and so on are also constantly changing. It is, therefore, unreasonable to presume that we will be able to operate and be as productive and effective as we can towards any given task at any given moment.
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Sometimes we genuinely just don’t feel like doing something…or we are drunk.
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Now I am aware there is a school of thought that suggests that physical action and emotions are strongly linked and that by changing your actions and “getting on with things” you can change your emotions and enthusiasm towards a task. This I agree with, to a degree, but honestly who wants to be constantly forcing themselves to do things they are really not in the mood to focus on.
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Life is too short for this, there is far too much chocolate covered marshmallow to eat.
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Unfortunately some things just need to be done. People have commitments, jobs, pressing tasks, and blogs to write. It is unavoidable in life and is also part of the purpose of life. Life without any purpose at all would not be worth living.
Having a good structure will help with accomplishing these things but having a good understanding of the beast and learning how to tame it will ensure that you are enjoying life in the process.
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The Beast (who incidentally goes by the name of Joe)
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The Beast is Flow and Flow is The Beast.
It is worth reading the post “How to have a perfect day” (which unfortunately has yet to be written) in order to better understand what I mean by flow but in summary:
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“Flow is about getting to a place where all you faculties line up like well trained and deceptively intelligent meerkats, in order to give you maximum results from your efforts”
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A good representation of someone in flow is an avid gamer in mid competition; eyes, hands, ears, mind, everything is focussed on the screen. Try talking to these people at your peril.
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This is flow and this is the beast. Like a hurricane on steroids, it creates creative and productive havoc whenever it enters town.
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When the beast comes, do not try and tame it, just direct it towards what you want to achieve and hold on for the ride, because it is going to be thrilling.
In any task there is no doubt it is always best to be in flow when doing it, as this is most effective. However, this obviously is not always viable. You can learn to manufacture flow and the “How to have a perfect day” (still not written) post can give you some insights into achieving this.
When in flow, much like I am in at the moment with writing blog posts, everything just seems to come together and your mind is working in overdrive. Words flow freely, ideas expose themselves almost inappropriately – the need to eat, sleep and stuff chocolate covered marshmallows into your face disappears and things get done.
Try, if possible, not to lose this period of time for any external reason as it is so very productive.
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Put up a sign if necessary, one with really sharp edges so it can double as a weapon if people still aren’t fully understanding you.
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Sometimes when people are fully engaged with their work, hours can go past as if in minutes and external influences are meaningless. This is a good time for you and should be enjoyed. The Beast is a giving creature.
Now obviously, the Beast that is flow does not happen all the time and should be appreciated as such. There will be times when circumstance, things that have happened recently or for no known reason whatsoever you genuinely feel completely “out” of flow and far from the Beast. In this circumstance no amount of positive thinking or pushing through the boundaries is going to help. In these situations you may as well except it and do something completely different.
Crash in front of the TV, go out, or go to sleep, safe in the knowledge that this is a very short term thing. This can and will actually be very satisfying but I appreciate a lot easier when you don’t have a job demanding your time at set points. This is one major reason why I advocate getting out of the Rat Race and beyond the reliance of the paycheck.
A happy balance between achieving when in flow and a understanding when you are not in flow is the key to both a productive and happy life. The only issue comes when being out of flow becomes a habit and tasks are constantly put off getting you further and further into a rut. This is a dangerous negative spiral and certainly not something I am advocating.
If this is where you are at currently then “Find a way to Release The Beast again.”
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Understand and respect the Beast that is flow, learn how to make best use of it, and realise that sometimes the rules, like custard filled balloons, can be thrown out of the window. Aim for the guy with the poncy hat.
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I have been whoring myself out recently doing guest post for the first time, so for any new readers this is for you. I would love you to add you thoughts to discussion by leaving a comment below. I always get back to the people who get involved and it will make you instantly more attractive to the opposite sex.
Peace.
My Thanks for the photo goes to Gabriella Fabbri.
Twitter Updates
Structure is important but be careful as to much can become imprisoning and stifling. We have a great opportunity to be out here in Thailand and see and do so many things. But if your too into structure you can miss these great things and ultimately the point of life out here.
Are you still upset because I left for the river with Jana.
Nice one Jonny. I’m generally a fun of structure, and you still got me convinced.
I think structure can be good, can make you more effective (I’ve experienced this), but as long as you don’t allow it to become rigid. Most things change quickly, are dynamic, and so you can’t rely on a structure to long. You wanna move to the next structure, and the next, and the next, which is basically… flow
Great Points Eduard, Thanks for dropping past the site and commenting.
I love when the flow gets going. It’s such an insane feeling. But when it’s not there it kind of sucks. I’ve figured out ways to create that flow feeling, but sometimes it just doesn’t work. Those are the days I just don’t do anything. Maybe I’m lazy.
Hi Nate,
We can’t have The Beast that is flow all the time but this is not always a bad thing. Sometimes lazy days are a necessity and should be enjoyed.
Enjoy your lazy days Nate.
I read about the concept of structure and flow recently, but you really intrigued me with this article. Stumbled!
Cheers Oscar,
There is plenty written about flow and I am sure a quick google search will bring up a lot more detailed information if your interested. I simply like making concepts visual for people, so that they are easier and more enjoyable to remember and use.
Interesting article Jonny. I consider flow like a stream of water, but you consider flow like a “frikin hurricane so unleash the beast?” So, which one’s more powerful – water or wind?
Heh, I’m just kidding. You’re right though when people get into the flow, you have a hard time trying to stop yourself and everything just seems a lot easier to do.
Hi Tristan Lee (What a great name),
Thanks for dropping past. I have seen your avatar pop up around the web so it is great to have you here. Wind vs Water aye, right I think a showdown is in order
Finding a good job can be pretty troublesome. Especially when you have high expectations.
Here are some tips that helped me land the job of my dreams:
* Plan out your CV, if you’ve never done a CV before, this is the time to learn.
* Take into consideration what skills do you have. You may have more choices if you consider additional job titles.
* Don’t neglect any source of jobs : internet, newspaper, radio and other media. Ask your friends that have similar jobs if there may be an opening in their company.
* Don’t just send the resume by email and wait for an answer. You need to call them and have them confirm the job opening and receiving your resume.
Finding a job is pretty much a job in itself and it’s all about how well can you market your abilities.
Great post Jonny. I find the best way for me to get into flow, is to totally immerse myself in what I need to acheive at that time…can take a little while sometimes, but when it does productivity knocks…
Schmidty, as always you speak the truth.
I Stumbled this one Jonny its a great article
Cheers John, greatly appreciated.