Sabbath for Flow

Today is my sabbath, but a very socially challenging one for me - I've got a big commitment, leading a community poster-making workshop. This is a perfect opportunity to experiment with Flow!

Yesterday I made a backwards calendar, with the first steps I need to take for my big Flow Project (to transform my life towards hope, resilience, and flow), and I expect that more will be revealed as I progress. Today's steps are to:

Agenda:

1. Read First Things First

2. Define my goals for personal leadership

3. Design a Daily Flow Plan

1. Read First Things First:

Last Fall I began to review this book by Stephen Covey (1994) that was pivotal in my growth. I'm on section 4: The Power and Peace of Principle-Centered Living.

Chapter 14 is From Time Management to Personal Leadership, and gives lots of examples of the difference between the two. It asks first that I question the nature of each activity I do in a day - Why am I doing it, and why now? Is this the best use of my capacities? How can I improve the underlying system of my life?

"In a Quadrant 2 day what changes first is our thoughts - the way we see the day. Tasks provide an opportunity for growth, for improvement."  He's talking about giving plenty of attention to the tasks that are Important but Not Urgent; to growing skills; to improving our character; to defining our mission; to changing systems to be more effective.   

2. Define my goals for personal leadership:

My first intention in my Flow Project is to "start with personal leadership, asking how can I improve the underlying system of my life? Because I was trying to get a handle on what Covey even means by "personal leadership" I read this summary online:

Every successful team leader starts by leading themselves effectively. Personal leadership is an individual’s ability to understand their own strengths and motivations and apply their energy to the most important goals. Capable leaders know how to get the best work out of themselves, setting a positive example for their teams and their peers.

Personal leadership begins with self-awareness. Building on this understanding, leaders then define achievable, meaningful goals, seek accountability for progress toward those goals, and handle challenges and conflict with resiliency. They also set appropriate boundaries on their time and energy so they can continuously support their teams without risking burnout.

That's plenty to start with! My personal leadership goals are to:

1. Build self-awareness: Review my strengths and excesses. 
2. Define achievable, meaningful goals.
3. Seek accountability for progress toward those goals
4. Do First Things First. 
5. Handle challenges and conflict with resiliency. 
6. Set appropriate boundaries on my time and energy to prevent burnout.

3. Design a daily Flow plan:

In The Magic of Daily Flow, Race Bannon writes: "While the concept of flow is typically applied to moments in our lives of intense focus when we are doing something in which we’re so completely immersed that only the thing in front of us is within our immediate awareness, I contend there is something similar I call “daily flow. ... Daily flow is living one’s life so that each moment naturally flows into the next guided primarily by our tacit knowledge and intuition in the moment and secondarily by any specific goals.”

Another writer says, "A daily flow is the rhythm of your day. The way you move through tasks, breaks, and transitions. It’s not a strict routine. It’s a structure that helps you stay clear and focused without planning every hour. When your day has flow, you know what needs your attention, when to take a pause, and how to shift focus without spiraling or multitasking. It’s built around small habits that support your energy and help your day feel more steady."

So my Flow Plan is to- 

1. Choose the 3 essential tasks each morning that will move my life in the direction I want to go - something creative, loving, sanctuary building, and caring of the earth. Give plenty of attention to the tasks that are Important but Not Urgent; to growing skills, improving my character, defining my mission, and changing systems to be more effective.   
2. Write a transition plan for how I might get from one task to the next. Use anchors or habit cues to build structure - like when I finish my breakfast and games break, I transition to morning chores and the first essential task.
3. Go with the flow of the day, at peace – slow down and just BE, in this moment- aware and awake, listening to my intuition. Be ready to pivot, to adjust my plans and priorities as needed, responding to emerging opportunities and shifting dynamics. By embracing change and staying flexible, I can navigate through uncertainty with confidence and grace.