If you have ever been immersed in an activity with a sense of being “in the zone”, you may be familiar with the elusive feeling of “flow”. This feeling, which occurs when your productivity is at its peak, is sometimes passed off as simply luck or a fluke by many creatives. However, the reality is that with a little effort and discipline, anyone can achieve a state of flow, and strengthen their creative process. In this article, we explore the power of finding your flow, and offer tips on how to make it part of your creative routine.
1. Uncovering Your Creative Flow
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Know what helps you get creative. Everyone has different habits when it comes to creative work, and it’s important to figure out what works best for you. Whether it’s light jazz playing in the background, a new font to format an essay, or a change of scenery entirely, discover the little things that help you make the most of your creative juices.
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Reflect on what worked in the past. It’s easy to forget the successes of the past – that project you worked on that earned you the award, or the song you wrote in one night that made it into a school production. Tap into the feelings that made them great to replicate the same feelings in your current work.
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Find the balance of pressure and freedom. Whether it’s a strict deadline or a goal you want to achieve within a certain timeframe, create a balance between light expectations and rewards when you finish. Achieving a seemingly impossible task is exhilarating, and when done in the right way, can be incredibly rewarding.
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Commit and don’t give up. Allow yourself to be vulnerable, be consistent, and never give up. Finish your work no matter how difficult the task. Creativity requires you to take risks, and risks require sustained commitment. Your ideas may not all come to fruition, but what matters is the journey of your creative endeavours.
2. Crafting a Productive Environment
Creating a productive working environment doesn’t need to be a daunting task. More than just a collection of furniture pieces, where employees work can have a tangible impact on how productive they are.
Making your workplace comfortable is key. Humans have the capacity to work for amazing lengths of time, but only when our environment is favorable. Consider the practical aspects of the space – adequate lighting, comfortable temperature control, and the right equipment. Aim for an environment that is ergonomic, inviting, and enjoyable.
Cut the clutter. Spending time organizing and de-cluttering your office will help boost morale and productivity. Make sure each employee has enough space to spread out their work. A labeling system can make finding files and materials easy when needed. Add group work and meeting areas that evoke creativity and collaboration.
Little extras go a long way. Thoughtful extras like free snacks and beverages; an outdoor terrace; and indoor plants can make employees feel specially taken care of. Encouraging team building and fun activities like board game night, outdoor picnics or even exercise classes can lighten up the atmosphere and help to bond your team.
- Ensure adequate lighting, temperature and ergonomic setup
- De-clutter and organize your office
- Consider extras like snacks, outdoor terraces, plants, and team activities
3. Igniting Inspiration Through Focus
Living in a time of an ever-changing, and in many ways uncertain future, we may often find our focus drifting off towards what others are doing, who they are becoming, or what they are saying. We become less focused on ourselves and our own goals. This can leave us feeling unmotivated and uninspired. So how can we break this cycle and ignite our inspiration again? Below are 3 tips for rediscovering our focus:
- Set clear goals: Visualize what success looks like to you and write down achievable goals – small and big – that will guide you on the path to success. The feeling of accomplishment that comes from achieving a goal is a great way to re-energize and refocus.
- Look within: Unplug from external influences and take a look at yourself. Create a plan for how you will break away from the norm and do something that will make you proud. Tap into your inner wisdom and mellowing silence can help us regain our focus.
- Move forward: Though the journey may not always be easy, don’t be afraid to take the necessary steps to move forward closer to your goals. Taking action is invigorating and the idea that you are living out your vision is truly inspiring.
After incorporating these strategies, you will be well on your way to regaining your focus and igniting the inspiration you seek. Be statesmanlike in your actions and thought processes and use them to drive your mission forward.
Remember, you are your path to success. Keep the faith, stay motivated, and keep your eyes on the prize!
4. Streamlining Your Creative Process
Creating quality content can take a considerable amount of time and effort, but with a few strategies in place, you can make your creative process seamless. Here are some tips to help you streamline your creative process:
- Know Your Audience – Research who your target readers are so you can create content that is relevant and meaningful to them. Create detailed buyer personas to understand their needs, challenges, and interests. Knowing your audience will help you refine your creative process and save time.
- Develop an Editorial Calendar – An editorial calendar will help you stay organized and on track. Create a timeline for everything you have to accomplish including brainstorming ideas, researching your content, writing material, and marketing it. This will not only help you manage your time but also be more efficient with the tasks that you need to accomplish.
- Learn to Outsource – When time is tight, you can outsource some of the tasks on your list. There are plenty of companies that offer skillful and competent virtual assistants that can take care of a wide variety of tasks such as research, bookkeeping, and more. This can help you save a lot of time.
- Embrace Technology – There are numerous tools available that can help streamline the creative process. For example, use task management tools like Asana and Trello to track tasks, track progress, and collaborate with teammates. Or use video conferencing tools like Skype and Zoom to communicate with co-workers and share documents with ease.
These are just a few tips to help you streamline your creative process and make sure you are getting the most out of your efforts. Remember to take the time to plan ahead and be mindful of where your content is going and who it is for. With these tips and the help of technology, you can stay on top of your content creation and keep your creative process moving.
This journey to finding your flow can feel daunting, but the rewards are well worth the effort. You’ll find that you’re more productive through increased focus, alignment, and creative output. It’s time to dare to do more- to find your flow and realize your creative potential.