I write a weekly career advice newsletter to help you forge your own path and do work you love. Join 3,500+ readers every week. 👇
Do you know your flow triggers?
Have you ever been so engrossed in a challenging task that you completely lost track of time, experiencing immense joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment as you worked?
Have you ever found yourself seamlessly transitioning between jobs, with time flying by, and before you knew it, hours had passed?
That feeling you experienced is called flow.
Flow, or “being in the zone,” is a state of being fully immersed and engaged in an activity to the point where you feel a deep sense of enjoyment.
For instance, when you’re in a flow state, you might feel:
- In complete control of your situation
- The task is effortless
- A precision level of focus
- Time speeding up or slowing down
- A sense of enjoyment or fulfillment
- Free from distracting thoughts
But why should you care?
Flow helps you solve challenges creatively, achieve difficult goals, and thrive in high-stress environments. I think we could all use more of that.
When do you notice yourself in a flow state?
Still trying to figure it out? Don’t worry! Most people are unaware of the unique conditions and preferences that lead them to a flow state.
One way to clarify your flow triggers is to create a flow profile.
​A flow profile is a personalized map of what helps you activate a flow state. With these insights, you can increase the likelihood of experiencing flow in everyday life.
​Conditions that lead to flow are:
- Well-defined goals
- Challenges that are engaging but not overly frustrating
- Immediate feedback, often in the form of positive emotions
- Tasks that align with your skills and are enjoyable
Ready to identify your flow triggers? Complete the sentences below to create your flow profile:
I experience flow most often when I'm in…
[Insert Your Ideal Environment]
(Examples: High energy environments or a peaceful, quiet, calm atmosphere)
When I’m in a flow state, I feel…
[Insert a Feeling]
(Examples: energized, creative, calm, peaceful)
The time of day I most often find myself in flow is…
[Insert Time of Day]
(Examples: early mornings before the chaos of the day or late in the evening)
My flow activities are…
[Insert Activities]
(Examples: reading, writing, teaching, cooking, creating)
Creating a flow profile will give you a blueprint with your ideal conditions to enter a flow state.
Try the exercise for your personal and professional life to experience less stress, more satisfaction, and improve well-being.
To your success,
​
​
Dan Marzullo
P.S. By the way... whenever you’re ready, here's how I can help you:
​Work with me 1:1 - Need help getting unstuck?
Sign up for async advising. Get advising when you need it without having to book a slot on your calendar.
​Get Started​
​
​
Dan's Dispatch
by Dan Marzullo
I write a weekly career advice newsletter to help you forge your own path and do work you love. Join 3,500+ readers every week. 👇
When was the last time you did an Energy Audit of your work? If you ever feel like some parts of your work turbo-charge your day while others leave you running on empty, it might be time for an Energy Audit. This exercise can be a game-changer if you feel unmotivated or uninspired by your work. Here’s how it works... Reflect on your typical workday. Which tasks make you feel like you're winning the Grand Prix, and which have you crawling to the pit stop? Write down all the tasks you perform...
As we step into the first few days of the new year, the idea of setting new goals is likely swirling around in your thoughts. Maybe you're armed with a list of resolutions or simply thinking through a few new habits to weave into your life. Regardless of your mindset, here's an idea to consider to help you smash your goals this year. Whatever they may look like for you. Many of us unknowingly start off on the wrong foot by framing our goals in a negative context. How? By setting avoidance...
Today, we're diving into a topic we've all danced with at some point—imposter syndrome. A phenomenon often tied to self-doubt and the pursuit of perfection. Or that sneaky feeling that maybe we're not cut out for this greatness we're striving for. What if we reframed imposter syndrome as a positive indicator of growth rather than a signal of inadequacy? Imposter syndrome pushes you to grow Consider this: when we step outside our comfort zones and take on challenges, we inevitably encounter...