ACCOUNTANTS:
GET INTO THE GROOVE
Dear <$salutation$>
 Two questions for you.
Firstly, when and where
do you enjoy yourself most?
And please, keep it to yourself! Although
in fact
we already know, because
Chicago’s Professor Csiksentmihaly
(NOT
a
RHITG BRIAN OR LTEF BRIAN conundrum
from last month!)
has established exactly when
we enjoy ourselves most.
It’s when we’re
- designing, discovering or exploring something new,
- solving problems or overcoming hurdles (real or imagined),
- stretched but not stressed, and
- winning!
The professor found there is always a balance between our level of skill and the degree of challenge a task presents. Too easy, we’re bored. Too hard, we’re stressed. But when the task is just beyond us, the balance is just right. Then we really start motoring!
Then we are ‘in flow’!
Now here’s the second question.
When and where do you mostly NOT enjoy yourself?
Er, yes, ‘fraid so: at work. When we’re enjoying ourselves, we’re mostly somewhere else. We enjoy work only 30% of the time we’re there, and we’re there loads! This is worrying.
So how, when we’re at work, can we get ‘in flow’ or ‘in the zone’ or even ‘into the groove’ as it’s also called?
Let’s just recall a previous newsletter, where we described ‘flow’ as that glorious mastery of a single activity (NOT multi-tasking!) which allows a musician or dancer to make time stop. And which applies also to more mundane activities like balancing accounts.
Flow requires total immersion in your task, complete focus driven by high energy. Concert pianists, for instance, don’t go for a romp in the park: they require mental and physical stamina of an exceptional order.
So set yourself a definite objective and a realistic timescale, say 30-60 minutes. Weigh the balance between the difficulty (including potential tediousness) of the task and your known ability: avoid stress, but stretch yourself. Then do it!
The benefits are immediate. In flow, you use time better and your tasks are more enjoyable. Note too that you’ve no more excuses for procrastination!
But heed my midnight warning, Cinderellas! You must work without distraction or interruption. This is critical. Flow’s greatest enemy is interruption: remember (or check out) the salutary tale of Coleridge, ‘Kubla Khan’ and the Visitor from Porlock! Lock your door; submerge your phones in water!
Need a little more help?
Just email me at info@theaccountantscoach.com
and book a complimentary telephone consultation.
theaccountantscoach.com,
I’m here to help!
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