Transformation and Flow
When a person or company starts a transformation, it will be ugly and choppy. It’s okay; it is supposed to be. At the start, there is no way to know what the transformation is going to ask for, so there is no way to be prepared. There is no checklist with which to get comfortable and set the stage. Transformations are tests that can’t be studied, with no cheat codes. Transformations ask different questions at various stages to challenge us until we have shown sufficient commitment and respect.
When a transformation has achieved the threshold of due turmoil, and you keep showing up, the transformation will make visible an ongoing path that is more predictable and controlled. Crossing this threshold means a transformation facilitates and benefits a person or company getting to a flow state to accelerate the transformation. Getting to a flow state as part of a transformation isn’t easy, and the transformation makes you earn it. There are no gimmes here. Once a transformation acknowledges you are in it to see it through, it will open itself up to windows of progress by achieving flow states.
Flow states themselves are challenging to conjure up and to leverage. They can be fleeting and hard to reproduce. Figuring out your flow state attributes and capitalizing on them is work. Still, it is well worth the time and effort as part of a transformation. When you see someone or a company that has undergone a significant transformation and 1) it seemed to happen quickly or 2) they scaled the transformation to incredible heights, I guarantee they got to some flow states to accomplish one or both.
While transformations can progress and take hold without flow states, the inclusion of flow can significantly ease the journey. Transformations that incorporate flow states are more likely to have a lasting impact and value. Without flow, transformations can be a grueling experience. The transformation can still be achieved, but the path will be over rougher terrain. The potential of flow states to alleviate the challenges of a transformation journey is a beacon of hope and relief.
If there is an unlock to successful transformations, it must be flow-aware and capable inside a transformation. Figure out the most critical aspects of a transformation and then be intentional about getting into a flow around these things. Most people can only achieve a flow state around one crucial subject matter at a time, so keep your expectations and execution of flow manageable. Organizations can handle more initiatives and flow states because of the distribution of thought and work, but organizations also have flow limits. I have seen very few companies carry out more than three essential initiatives at a time while going through a transformation. An organization attempting more than three initiatives to support a transformation simultaneously ensures they won’t get into a flow state for any of the initiatives. Less is more when it comes to flow states.
Flow is a potent force, particularly when navigating a transformation. By tapping into flow, you can transform the transformation itself, making it less uncomfortable and providing results sooner. The transformative power of flow is a source of inspiration and motivation, encouraging the audience to embrace and harness this force in their own transformations.
PS
If you need to become more familiar with flow, here is a link to get started: https://bit.ly/4bYeeKA. It is a TED talk by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who is considered the originator of the concept and techniques.
