How To Find Your Flow In The Brave New World

With lost jobs, lockdowns and other life-altering changes, 2020-22 was crazy. 

And there are times when life can be crazy and totally unpredictable – like the past 2 months.

Times when it feels like the walls are closing in around you…when work is out of control or your personal commitments are overflowing…

The uncertainty in the brave “post-pandemic” world doesn’t make things any easier.

However, is there something else going on with you? 

Do you have an inner conflict or other issue you need to look at?

If so, you need to address it. ASAP.

This article aims to help you clarify what’s happening on the inside so that you can rebalance and “find your flow” in 2023, despite the chaos and uncertainty around you!

3 Questions To Find Flow

1) Am I overwhelmed?

You know yourself better than anyone. You’re aware of what’s going on inside and outside yourself. 

However, even the most self-aware person in the world should ask this 1 question:

Q. At the end of the day, do I feel energized or depleted?

I would argue that if you’re energized by your work, it won’t burn you out. Getting clarity on this question can provide relief BIG TIME.

Perhaps you just need better prioritization skills? After all, just because something’s important doesn’t mean it’s urgent. Or that you have to do it.

But, if there is something else going on with you, you definitely want to know about it. Plodding ahead and keeping yourself busy (and distracted), is not a solution to your problem.

2) Why do I keep myself distracted?

Checking work emails after work or repeatedly checking your Facebook updates on the weekend, I’m sure there are times when you go online even when you don’t have to.

Ask yourself these 2 questions –

Q. Can my email response wait until tomorrow?

Q. Do I really need that Facebook app on my phone?

I don’t know your individual situation but if you’re like me and many people I know, you choose to be ‘connected’ even when you don’t need to be.

I get it – you like being “in the loop”. Me, too. But do you really need to be?

Of course, there are times and situations because of your job role when you do. But I’m guessing there are just as many times when you could “sit things out”.

Here’s one of the best tips I heard last year for creating more time:

Choose the app you use the most on your phone and delete it. 

You might be lost without it…but you’ll probably be JUST FINE.

3) Have my priorities changed?

Q. Are the things that were important to me 12 months ago still just as important? Or, as my situation has changed have my priorities shifted as a result?

Perhaps everything looks the same for you as it did a year ago. However, take a few minutes to look at your top priorities and make sure your activities are aligned.

It’s quite probable that some things have changed and your activities need a fresh look…ask yourself if your your wishes expectations still current.

Q. If you made a goal in 2021 to run a marathon and spent several hours a week training for it, is the training still necessary? Or, could you use that time for a new goal?

No matter your goals and priorities in 2023, it’s important that you start to see “busyness as a choice”. 

Here’s what I mean: