Each and every one of us lives a life that is filled with a list of mundane tasks. Those repetitive tasks or chores that we must do on a daily, weekly or even yearly basis. This can range from doing the laundry, washing the dishes, cleaning out the house or even responding to a barrage of emails/messages that have been piling up in your inbox. These tasks are so often monotonous and boring that we tend to procrastinate, find excuses or even avoid them altogether.
So, what exactly is microflow and how can we find joy in the process of doing rather than solely focusing on the end result? Microflow is a state of mind where we are fully absorbed in a task even if it seems mundane or repetitive. It is a concept popularized by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, where we are completely immersed in an activity and experience a deep sense of joy and fulfilment.
Exercise Your Mental Muscles Through Mindfulness or Meditation
There is no doubt that one way to achieve microflow is through the practice of mindfulness or meditation. By bringing awareness to our breath, sensations, and thoughts without judgment, we can learn to be fully present in any task we do, no matter how mundane it may seem. Reducing distractions while focusing on the task at hand to engage all our senses, helps us find joy in the process of doing.
Even Bill Gates, one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs, washes dishes every night as a way to relax, clear his mind, and practice mindfulness. He tries to do better each day by following an established set of rules like plates first, forks second and so on. He calls it one of his daily moments of microflow.
Embrace Ourselves as Ritualistic Beings
We, humans, are ritualistic beings by nature. Rituals provide us with clear rules and objectives and are like substeps on the path to achieving a goal. When faced with a task or goal, break it down into smaller parts and approach it step by step. We allow ourselves to focus on the rituals associated with the task instead of getting overwhelmed by the outcome.
I personally dislike doing laundry yet it needs to be done weekly. My solution is to incorporate a ritual where slow jazz music and amazingly scented detergents are a part of the process. These days, the sound and smells I get when doing the laundry create a sense of enjoyment in the process. The crisp, clean-smelling clothes I get to wear for the week are just an outcome of infusing this simple ritual into my mundane task.
"Rituals are the key to unlocking the joy in mundane tasks, turning them into moments of microflow." - Bill Gates
Focus on Doing, Not Just The Results (Microflow)
Immersing ourselves in a state of microflow encourages us to find joy in the art of doing or in the process. It is about surrendering ourselves to the task without worrying about the outcome or result. By letting go of the pressures of achieving a particular outcome or result, we end up finding satisfaction in the small moments of progress.
Cleaning out your house or even your overladen email inbox? Focus on the joy and satisfaction of decluttering, rearranging or organizing, rather than fixating on a clean home or on “inbox-zero”. Learn to appreciate the small moments and little victories and the sense of accomplishment from the progress you are making.
Conclusion
As humans, we get bored when we are not being challenged and seek ways to amuse ourselves and add complexity to the task. Just like doodling or scribbling during a meeting to pass the time, we naturally try to find ways to make repetitive tasks more interesting.
So, the next time you find yourself faced with a list of mundane tasks, remember to embrace the opportunity to be fully present in the moment, engage in the process with mindfulness, and appreciate the small victories along the way. By incorporating microflow into your daily life, you can turn mundane tasks into moments of joy, relaxation, and self-care. So go on and wash those dishes, fold that laundry, or mow that lawn, and enjoy the art of microflow in your everyday life.
Comments