Dhiirigiliso

BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE AT WORK

 

In order to achieve success in your work, you need to be diligent and careful.

Finding Your Flow amongst the Chaos 

We've all been there - staring at our overflowing to-do lists, juggling endless meetings and deadlines, and just trying desperately to stay afloat amidst the endless deluge of work. It feels like a never-ending cycle of chaos, without any real progress being made. Doesn't it make you wonder - is this really the best way to get things done? 

As humans, we all have a natural inclination towards flow - that focused, energized state where we're fully immersed in meaningful tasks and time seems to slip away. It's when we do our best work. Yet modern work culture often pulls us in the opposite direction, towards a constant state of multitasking and frenzied activity. No wonder it's so hard to feel effective or accomplish what really matters!

Luckily, there are simple strategies we can adopt to start prioritizing flow over chaos. Think of it as hacking your productivity by working with your natural human tendencies, rather than against them. Ready to give it a try? Here are a few tips to get you started:

Plan Your Path to Progress

The first step is admitting that you can't do it all - at least not all at once. Take time each week to thoughtfully plan out your priorities. What are the 2-3 most important goals or projects you want to make progress on? Break them down into achievable weekly tasks. 

I like to use a simple notebook to brainstorm and visualize my plan of attack. Jotting things down on paper helps cement them in my mind in a way that digital lists never seem to. Once you have your core priorities mapped out, it's much easier to say no to extra "nice to haves" that would only distract you. Staying focused on a few carefully chosen tasks allows deep work, rather than shallow scattered efforts.

Manage Your Energy, Not Just Your Time 

It's not enough to schedule tasks - you must thoughtfully schedule yourself. Our energy levels and ability to focus ebb and flow throughout the day. Personally, I've noticed mornings are my time for creative visioning and complex problem-solving. Afternoons drag if I don't get up and move around.

Figure out your natural highs and lows. Block out your highest focus work for when your energy and concentration are at their peak. Save routine busywork for when your mind wants to wander. Nourish your body with movement and healthy snacks to keep your levels up. This mindful energy management is key for flow versus burnout.

Minimize Distractions Deliberately

Willpower is limited, so instead of white-knuckling your way through distraction, remove the temptation entirely. Close unnecessary tabs, put your phone on silent, find a quiet space - whatever you need to minimize disruption. 

I've taken it a step further by creating separate work personas on my devices. My "work laptop" stays distraction-free, while personal emails and social media live only on my personal devices. Out of sight, out of mind - and out of the way of my focus. The less time I spend regaining lost momentum, the more I accomplish.

Set Stretchy Goals and Micro Wins 

Vague, nebulous goals leave us adrift, while ones that are too rigid set us up for failure. Instead, aim for what I call "stretchy goals" - ambitious yet adjustable targets broken into clear micro milestones. 

For example, instead of "finish project by end of month," set daily or weekly mini-deadlines like "research 3 potential clients" or "draft introduction section." Celebrate the little wins to stay motivated. And it's okay if you need to occasionally adjust the timeline - progress trumps perfection any day. Stretchy goals keep you challenged but not stressed.

Recharge Your Batteries Religiously

All work and no play leads to burnout, so be sure to replenish your energy stores. I block out mini breaks - 10 minutes after each focused 50 minutes of work serves me well. But you must actually detach during these or they don't count! 

Leave your desk, stretch, get a change of scenery. Short breaks boost focus, while long weekends fully recharge me. Nourish your well-being too with hobbies, social time, exercise - whatever fills your cup. A refreshed mind is a productive mind

Hopefully these strategies give you a good starting point for prioritizing flow over frenzy at work. Play around and see what rhythms feel most sustaining for you. The key is working with your natural human tendencies rather than against them. Staying in flow is the best way to do your best work and keep your productivity humming along.