Let it Flow, Let it Flow, Let it Flow

Finding Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a fascinating read.  His last name is pronounced 'chick-sent-me-hi' for those who are still looking at that assortment of vowels and consonents in amazement. 

He describes flow as the time 'when a person's skills are fully involved in overcoming a challenge that is just about manageable'...'when high challenges are matched with high skills'. 

It is active, focused and we are absorbed because the task is 'just about manageable', not just a routine. 

We all have examples of when we have been in the zone, totally focused.  It is exhilarating!  While we can't expect, nor would we wish to be there all of the time, these moments are the jewels in our life tapestry. 

They can be daily or weekly activities that are wonderfully engaging or less frequent stellar accomplishments.  

How do we open ourselves to more flow?  Do we recognize and appreciate the zone moments? 

Being totally involved in a work meeting, discovering something new or solving a problem can be examples of flow moments.  Gardening, Yoga, a challenging game of tennis can also provide the optimal intersection of challenge and skill.

How do we get more flow in our lives? 

Possibly by focusing, leveraging and operating with wonder. 

Creating the future - in a word

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there"

- Lewis Carroll

Focusing on what we want makes it much easier to see possibilities and roads to take.  Being fragmented, unclear and too open makes finding the path a lot harder, leads us into cul de sacs and takes us on circuitous journeys.

This year, I have selected one word.  Yes, just one word, to be my focus.  Well, ok, I did turn it into an acronym of sorts because I wanted it to describe my intent.  I wanted the embellishments to make it an appealing process.

The goal of this exercise is to clearly see what we want...what is important...what will bring us joy, or peace of mind, or happiness. To describe what really matters.  Focusing on this word creates our future, compels us to action, helps us see through the clutter and hear clearly amid the roar.

Choosing the word:

Stop, meditate, consider - see what word encompasses the essence of what is most prominent for you THIS year.  This word will trigger your top values, help you make choices and prioritize actions.

Using the word:

It may form the basis for affirmations.  I can be the determining factor in day-to-day decisions.  It helps us stay true to ourselves.  It provides focus.  It evokes calmess.  When we pursue it, we are centered.

This is my word and its amplification: Abundance

When I think about this word, I break it down: ABoldUNifyingDANCE.

That reminds me:

To be bold

To look for what unifies

To dance - figuratively to move with, to have fun

And, if I seek Abundance I will look back on 2010 as a year where I stepped out (boldly), sought to understand, and found new and prosperous endeavors (playfully, joyfully).

What word fulfills and defines you this year?

Steamer Trunk, Murse or Coin Purse?

How many assumptions are we carrying with us each day - would they fit into a steamer trunk, a murse or a coin purse?

Keb' 'Mo is a great storyteller. His song, Suitcase, is playing in the background as I write - it fits. "I got a suitcase I take it everywhere I go"...

What size suitcase does it take to carry the ideas, habits, patterns, assumptions, beliefs that keep us from experiencing life with an open mind?

What would happen if we checked our bag(s) for an hour, for a conversation, for a meeting, for a discussion or in the midst of a disagreement?

Are we schlepping more than one bag? Do we need a luggage cart?

Approaching new (or repetitive) situations with an open mind is a frequent challenge personally and professionally.  Would it help leaders to be present, to actively listen if the bag(s) of preconceived ideas didn't go into the room with them? 

Back to Keb' for a moment:

"Well the house got too small

And the bags got too big

We were holding on to everything

We ever said or did..."

Perhaps we can use this image this week.  First, we can literally assess the heft we are carrying.  Then, we can opt to put the bags (or a bag) on the floor outside the door and experience a meeting or discussion with wonder and learning.  It could free up our thinking.

At least there would be a little more leg room... 

See Yourself Working Here

Putting you in the picture with such sharp focus that the fit is obvious to everyone, especially to the new hire.

No Buyer's Remorse!

Onboarding is a popular topic. After all of the diligent work to find the right candidate, how can hiring managers get the person ensconced in the organization, on the team, into the work as quickly as possible?

There are managers who do this very well and I recently talked with one. Let’s call her Judy. I wanted to find out her tips, tricks and techniques.

Before we look at her thoughts, how did I know she exemplifies a great job of onboarding new hires? Well, she has a track record of hiring folks who excel at their work, who often move into positions of broader authority, and who give her top scores on satisfaction surveys. Current and former employees often say she is one of the best managers they have ever had: she held them accountable, gave solid feedback, encouraged them to take on stretch assignments, was demanding, supportive and accessible.

How did Judy learn this? As you might expect, she attributed much of her approach to what she had learned from others. She said that when she was starting out in business, her supervisors spent time making sure she knew what her job was, what was expected of her and how her work aligned with the team, department and company.

From day one, Judy personalized the arrival to the office area:

• a welcome note or poster signed by the team with a theme or message that she learned in the interview (interest, hobby)


• a group lunch on the first day with team members


• a schedule to meet with others over the first few weeks. The people were selected to set the context of the new hire's job (colleagues, partners, other departments, end users, leaders).


• a schedule of training or resources to learn


• an assigned buddy who could help with the details, the questions. This carefully selected peer was a role model and integral to keeping feedback flowing to the new hire and to Judy.


• a set meeting schedule with Judy for check-in discussions, questions from the interviews with others, etc. This routine set the ground work for working together.


• and, a list of projects - specifically what the new hire would be working on - with milestones, timelines and end results.

It sounds simple; it isn't. It sounds important; it is.

What would you add? What tips, tricks and techniques do you use to onboard effectively?

Giving Thanks - WaM - Pay it Forward

What a great time of year...a time to connect or reconnect with family; a time to focus on what we are thankful for; a time to appreciate the help we have received from others in our journey; a time to thank others.

This segues to thoughts of next year - what do we want 2010 to be for us and others? A great time to viualize what our success looks like in action. This is similar to the Word a Month process: seeing the success as if it were in place (present tense); relishing how it feels to have attained this goal (with emotion); actively seeing this goal, not the obstacles (daily affirmation).

I am commited to continuing the Word a Month process - and simply going deeper on my original word. It is still my most important area and my progress has encouraged me to dig a little deeper. I have even seen the negative self talk diminish - it has moved from difficult to moderate.

Starting in December, I will devote blog space to lessons I have learned from my mentors combined with tidbits from intriguing books. Hope to see you then.

'Obstacles are those frightful things we see when we take our eyes off the goal.'

- Hannah Moore

Happy Thanksgiving!

A word a month - CHECK IN

Let's try that post again!!

Since it has been about 15 days since this experiment began, it is time for a check in.

Here is what I have experienced:

EASY - to choose the word
EASY - to write the affirmation in present tense and embellish it in a positive context
MODERATE - to start the day WITH the affirmation
EASY - to recognize the positive impact of focusing on this concept even if missed a day
DIFFICULT - to avoid negative self talk when missed a day, or fell back to the old behavior
EASY - to be grateful for the improvements

And, 'grateful for the improvements' is the best part. Even with the slip ups, I have moved closer toward my desired picture. This topic remains top of mind. And, I notice the difference. How refreshing.

How did it go for you?
What was easy for you? What changes have you seen? Were there any speed bumps (moderate or difficult aspects) for you? Have you added nuances that have worked well for you?

We have 15 more days!

And, then the decision: do we stay with THIS word or consider another? And, even more basic than that, do we stay with this affirmation process?

A word a month - CHECK IN

It has been about 15 days since the experiment began.

How is it working for you?

Here is what I have experienced:

EASY - to select the word

EASY - to write the affirmation

EASY - to think about a positive application

MODERATE - to DO the affirmation each morning

EASY - to recognize