We each have the ability to transform the environment around us by making small steps. When these steps are disconnected in time, and separated by units of inactivity, we have ups and downs created by our own loss of focus. On the other hand, when we go from action step to action step, without deviating from the path by giving up or backing down, the dots representing our steps connect until they flow from one to the next one. This is how I view the meaning of “flow” in Tara Meyer-Robson’s book The Flow: 40 Days to Total Life Transformation. Here I discuss some selected points from this well-designed self-help personal growth book:
Multiple Paths Are Available
One point made in the book instantly jumped out to me as something I wanted to bring up.
You can get to where you want to go any way that you want to
This line is potent in the way that it connects a previous idea we hear often, that we can get to where we want to go, and adds a point about how we can do that in any way we choose. What does this mean to me? Let’s say there is a person who wants to make it as a full-time comedian. We commonly think that there is a structural way to go about the procedure. This might involve going from trying out for smaller comedy clubs to medium-sized ones, and then pitching big clubs or TV shows for guest spots of some sort. While this structure is not inherently bad or incorrect, we have to be more open in our thinking.
Rising Comedian Example
A want-to-be comedian could go down some completely unknown path. He could start down the path of doing speaking engagements in front of audiences for various matters, and then tossing in humor as much as people would let him. Another way might be to start playing pranks on people in public and recording the pranks in order to become famous to video-clip watchers, followed by branching out into comedy positions. Although I didn’t bring up any off-the-wall concepts here, there are certainly some of those available as well, and those are not to be avoided as options in succeeding.
Life Is Much Like A Choose Your Own Adventure Book
Let’s say someone is looking to become an accountant. There is no requirement that they have to be a regular accountant. They can reach for a goal of doing accounting privately for a small set of well-funded individuals that like to talk about their finances while playing golf. It is okay to be very specific in your interests, because the more specific you are, the closer you will get to something that is highly sustainable for you. However, as Tara lets you know in the book, a consequence of going for an interest of your own will be that
Each person that you encounter will be the expert, telling you “from experience” that you must do it this way, or that they have “tried everything” and this was the “only thing that worked” for them
and so on. The way to deal with this is to stick to your own flow. They certainly didn’t try everything or they would have found a successful way. They are actually saying that they gave up before they found what works.
You And Your Desires Are Closer Than You Think
On that point of the flow, Tara breaks the book down into four parts, each with different focal points. The first part of the book contains flow principles, like that “You Are Connected To Your Wishes Right Now”. I can agree with this one completely, as the only thing disconnecting you from your wishes is something you are doing. If you see some sort of barrier between you and your goals or desires, it is there because you helped place it there.
Only Weak Individuals Aren’t In Control
Part two contains various statements to agree or disagree with, and these responses are tabulated to learn more about how you can customize your action plan to flow into into a transformed life of your desire. Notice that all of these parts contain the underlying theme that you are in control of your presence and external representation, so there is no allowance of a victim mentality.
Build A Mental Foundation Based On Focus
The next part of The Flow contains messages about stations(like radio stations) that you want to tune into in your thoughts to get to your desires. The whole world only exists based on the conditions you carry in your mind as you walk around through the day, and these station sections focus on building a foundation there. If you wake up in the morning and smell a rose, and then get a positive e-mail, and then go exercise, it is hard for the day to go poorly after that. In the same way, tuning into stations that set your mind into a ready-to-go setting makes it hard for something to throw off your focus.
Use More Of Your Senses To Absorb More From Your Environment
The book closes with a section with responses to provide about how you deal with your various senses through the day, and this is followed up by items to do to make use of each sense. It is wise to do this, as we often leave most of our senses unused when we could easily be bringing them into play, like by listening to baroque music while studying or putting fresh mint on a morning omelet.
An Image Representing My View Of Flow
As pointed out at the beginning, gaps in this flow make us seem more unstable or out of touch with our interests. Tara’s book provides a way to get in tune with our thoughts in order to transform our daily presence.
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