How do we get “in the zone”?  It seems like it would be simple.  Watch any kid engaged in an activity they love and they lose all track of time, neglecting to hear any calls for dinner…

My daughter has a Perplexus.  It is a 3-D maze locked in a sphere, with a hundred levels to get through without dropping the little metal ball off the track.  True to its name, it is indeed perplexing and will drive most adults insane.  My child, however, becomes a zen master, blocking out any and all activities around her in order to complete the puzzle.  She has laser-sharp focus, and patience enough to continue her quest to get through the maze.  Not only did she finish the original Perplexus within a few hours on Christmas Day, but she is continuing with the more difficult “Perplexus Epic” now, picking it up whenever she needs a break from her grueling middle school homework.  In contrast to math homework, she has no anger, no frustration when the Perplexus ball drops — just perseverance and picking up where she left off.  Pure focus.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls this “The Flow Experience,” a sense of profound mastery, when one is completely absorbed, effortlessly focused and unaware of all sense of time.  He studied thousands of people with regards to their happiness and productivity, among them, artists, scientists, engineers, monks, athletes, and CEOs; and he found that, regardless of culture and education, there are various conditions that must be present for flow to happen: clear goals, continuous feedback, balance of challenge and skill, and uninterrupted times of concentration and focus.

These past few weeks have been so full of business and marketing plans, that I really needed some time for photography.  So I gave myself an assignment.  It was frustrating.  I didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere.  Finally, I let go and just started to play with the camera, different lenses, different angles.  In the process, I got “in the zone.”  I became completely focused on creating.  I lost all sense of time.  I didn’t realize I was hungry.  It was as if I was working outside of myself, a state of effortless concentration and mindfulness.  Sometimes that is the only way to work through a problem, to let go and let it flow.  I have to be careful when photographing on my travels – sometimes I’m in such a state of flow that I have found myself in some unsafe situations!

I experimented with color, light and shutter speed with snow melt dripping down to a wooden deck. 1/800 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 100

How can you achieve flow?  Here are some ideas:

1) Pick a challenging activity.

2) Set some realistic goals.

3) Commit yourself to the time and put it on your schedule.

4) Turn off the TV – no one achieves flow with the TV on!

5) Remove all interruptions – lock the door, turn off the phone and email and let everyone know you are not to be disturbed.

6) Find a way to track your progress and celebrate what you’ve accomplished so far.

7) Enjoy the experience!

Eat well.  Travel often.  Live your passion.

2 Responses to "Focus and Flow"

• 
  Melissa/Foodie for Two says:

  on 25 Jan 2012 at 10:34 pm

  
  

  I wish I was more in touch with my inner kid, without all of my adult filters! Thanks for the timely inspiration and food for thought, Teri. What a wonderful message.
• 
  tara says:

  on 06 Feb 2012 at 10:37 am

  
  

  I’m perplexed…not successfully making time for the flow.
  But, enjoying the opportunity to check out your site here for some fast “soul” food.

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I am a freelance Food and Travel photographer, based in the foothills outside of Denver, Colorado. This blog is a way to share my passion for anything related to food, travel, and creativity. I hope you enjoy the images and musings, and feel free to comment and subscribe with the links below. Thanks for visiting!