Abundant Mind #004

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Read Time: 3 minutes

Have you ever experienced moments in your life when you're completely focused on a task, losing track of time in the process? 

It feels effortless, as if you and the task have become one. 

This state is known as "flow state," and it holds the key to unlocking your productivity potential.

In today's issue, I’ll be sharing some concepts on focus and flow state, and how they can enhance your work experience and overall productivity.

Understanding Focus

Focus is a fundamental skill that allows you to direct your attention, energy, and mental resources towards a specific goal. 

Yes. It is a skill. 

Here’s some good news: focus isn’t something that you are born naturally good at.

It’s a skill that can be strengthened through practice and repeated use.

Just like the muscles in your body, focus needs to be trained for you to strengthen it and effectively use it.

With your muscles, if you do not use it, it atrophies. It gets weaker.   

The same thing happens to your focus. If you don’t train it, and don’t use it, you lose it.

As Tony Robbins said,

By eliminating distractions and staying committed to what truly matters, your energy will naturally flow in that direction.

Doing this over a long enough period, you can achieve anything you desire. 

The Reticular Activating System (RAS) in your brain plays a crucial role in directing your attention to the things you focus on. 

To demonstrate how this works, Tony Robbins devised a simple exercise. 

Take a moment to look around the room you’re in and notice five things that are red.

Go ahead and try doing that now. 

After reading this sentence, close your eyes and try to recall the things in the room that are blue.

Chances are, it's not as easy. 

When I did this exercise, it showed me that effective focus requires concentrating on one thing at a time.

In today's world that’s filled with distractions, juggling multiple tasks at one time has become a regular practice for a lot of people.

However, practicing single-tasking is far more effective for deep concentration and quality output.

Try this out yourself. Instead of multi-tasking, prioritize what you need to accomplish and focus completing one activity or task at a time.

Flow State

Flow state, often referred to as being "in the zone," is a mental state characterized by complete immersion, intense focus, and effortless action. 

This happens when your skills align perfectly with the challenges you’re facing, keeping you engaged, motivated, and pushing your limits. 

Achieving flow state requires clarity of what needs to be done and immediate feedback on your performance.

It emerges when you engage in activities that challenges you without overwhelming your abilities. 

During flow state, time slips away, and you’re able to experience a profound sense of fulfillment and joy.

According to Vishen Lakhiani, tapping into a flow state requires being happy with the present moment while also being excited about a grand vision for the future. 

Tools like journaling and scripting can help cultivate this happiness and excitement. 

By expressing gratitude and scripting your desired future in the present tense, you can enhance your focus and motivation.

Try this out:

If you feel you want to increase your happiness with the present moment, list down 5 things you are grateful for in your life today.

You will notice how doing this simple exercise can shift your mood.

If you feel you want to increase your excitement for the future, first create or revisit your grand vision for the future.

Once you’ve done that, write it down as if that vision is happening right now.

An exercise I like to do is to write as if I am 5 years into the future, writing to my present self about how amazing and grand life is.

My Journey with Focus and Flow

In the previous issue of this newsletter series, I opened up about how I’ve been struggling with procrastination.

This has been an ongoing battle for years. 

Now that I’m starting to get momentum with the things I want to do, I’ve found myself faced with a new obstacle: keeping my focus. 

I’m grateful that I started this newsletter series because I’m more intentional with clearly seeing my current obstacles, and researching how to overcome them become what I write about. 

(Side note: If you’ve experienced the same obstacles, my hope is that the solutions I find and write about help you overcome your own obstacles as well.)

As someone who wears multiple hats—third generation entrepreneur, personal development coach, and aspiring writer—I juggle a lot of things in my professional life.

Thankfully by scheduling deep focus hours and single-tasking, I’m slowly but surely developing my focus and getting into flow states more often than before.

Additionally, practicing gratitude and scripting have helped me get into a state of happiness and excitement before starting my day.

Embrace the Power of Focus and Flow

In a world full of distractions, developing and embracing focus and flow state can transform not only your productivity but also your overall well-being. 

I invite you to apply the ideas I shared in this issue.

By doing so, my hope for you is two things:

One is that it will allow you to tap into your potential, and the other is that you will achieve all that you desire in this life.

You deserve it.

Talk soon,

Zach

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