When I work with highly creative visionaries and thought leaders on being more visible and taking up more space in their industry, I stress the importance of embodying creative flow vs. forcing and striving to reach big goals.
Here’s what I mean + 6 Ways to Experience Creative Flow
Forcing and Striving is all about a mindset that says don’t quit, don’t rest or other people will win and you will lose.
Striving feeds and breeds on fear of missing out.
Striving feeds on hustle.
The idea of striving — without stopping — is common advice for new creators and those in startups — as if it’s the only way to be successful.
But, there are many beautiful ways to getting things done, achieving your dreams and being who you want to be.
I am proof you can have a successful, creative online business without hustle.
I’ve worked hard. I’ve put in the time.
But I’ve also put family, self and rest first — by focusing on creative flow over forcing and striving.
Striving is a constant state of being on alert, scanning the world for more opportunities, more pushing, more inserting yourself into the plot of your life.
And it’s exhausting and relentless.
Striving is all about self-optimization. You aren’t enough, you aren’t doing enough, you must improve, constantly.
It’s a “Can’t stop, won’t stop” mentality that is not built for humans.
Flow, however, feeds on mindfulness, just-right intentions and Divine timing.
“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke
Flow says this is my best moment to shine, this is my time to get things done, this is my time to create.
When we choose to work in Flow, we allow moments of rest, time to recover and heal and practice self-acceptance of being human not superhuman.
Flow means being fully immersed in an activity that brings you immense pleasure and interest — > you lose yourself and all sense of time disappears.
Flow happens in the sweet spot between the ideal conditions of satisfaction, effort and energy.
Choosing flow over forcing and striving requires what I call Sovereign Self-Trust.
You must be able to draw on your own inner wisdom of what is necessary and true for you and what’s possible with your life circumstances.
When we trust ourselves to access flow states, we give ourselves permission to just be, to rest, to enjoy life.
So, how can you experience more creative flow in your days?
6 Ways to Experience More Creative Flow:
Accept that you can’t hack it
While you can train yourself to experience creative flow more often, it can’t be forced.
You can’t just say, OK, “Going into creative flow state right now.”
Prioritize YES projects, not shoulds.
A Yes project is challenging enough to keep your attention — and brings you delight.
When I’m working on a YES Project, I access creative flow quickly and easily, always.
The work gets done effortlessly.
NEED A YES PROJECT? –> I offer a hybrid audio + coaching program to help you find your YES project here:
Be all in.
It’s nearly impossible to enter a creative flow state if you are multitasking.
Hide your phone, shut down all the tabs on your computer — and in your brain — and go all in on your YES project of the moment.
Diversify your flow states.
It’s beautiful to get into flow in non-work activities. Gardening. Cooking. Baking. Organizing.
These give you energy for your work projects.
What’s a non-work YES you’d like to make time for today?
“Flow can be found in so many things: Teaching, carving, exploring. Healing, writing, making right. Unearthing, interpreting, speaking truth. What is common between them is an exhilaration in the engagement, the challenge, and no guarantee of success.”
― Heather E. Heying
Address your Energy and Emotions
Creative flow will not show up if you are feeling zapped emotionally or energetically.
This is the biggest obstacle I see with my clients who struggle with accessing creative flow consistently.
Stop letting life zap your creativity by …
:: Cultivating strong wellbeing practices.
:: Develop resilience for life’s circumstances
:: Learn to bounce forward in hard times
Be honest about what you need to do to balance your mind, body and spirit better.
Slow Down.
Creative flow thrives with S P A C E … give yourself plenty of time without conditions or expectations.
In other words, put away the striving goals and to-do lists.
And just flow. 🙂
Does flowing vs. hacking, striving and forcing resonate with you? Follow me @Shawn_BraveYes for more anti-hustle approaches to making dreams happen in your life and business.