“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha

AS A NON-YOGA, non-meditative, grab-and-go type, I’m always looking for shortcuts to bliss. The most productive method for me is finding flow.

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Flow is being so consumed by a task that you time travel. Two hours feels like five minutes. You accomplish something wonderful and yet you feel relaxed.

The first time I felt it I immediately knew my career path. I’d spent the lunch hour readying my high-school newspaper for publication. When I next became aware of time, I’d missed two classes.

With flow, you’re completely in the moment. You focus so deeply on a single task that you strike gold: great satisfaction in the quality of whatever you’ve produced, and also an amazing calm. To practice:

• Devote yourself to one task for at least an hour a day. That’s one task without interruption: No phone, no email, no “Mom, could you…?”
• Pick a Goldilocks task: one that’s challenging but neither too hard nor too easy.
• Make the task something you’re passionate about.
• Up your odds of success by picking a time when you usually feel peak energy and concentration.

Finding flow is an odd sensation of losing yourself but gaining more control. Your spirit, your body and your mind stop tripping over each long enough for you to create something that is totally you and truly fine.

“HOW ABOUT A MEETING at 5 p.m. this afternoon,” the email said. “Can’t. Sorry. Need to pick up the boys at soccer practice. How about next Thursday?” came the response.

“Sorry. We’re on family vacation. How about 4pm next Thursday,” I sent back. “Nope, can’t do it — it’s our 10th anniversary.”

© iSTOCKPHOTO.COM

And, so it went. After a few additional back and forths and a reconfiguration of two of our daily meetings, we were able to skillfully negotiate a time for our one-hour business meeting.

Then I sat back in my office chair and gave a silent chuckle as I came to the realization that only two professional women would have this kind of exchange. Were the obstacles of soccer practice, family vacation and anniversary dinners of greater concern (and permanence) than the effort to move the 10 a.m. meeting or 2 p.m. phone conference? Maybe after all our years in the business world we know that in most cases, meetings can wait, but your kids can’t. Especially if it’s your turn to supply snack.

But truth be told, the  decisions of work vs. family are not easy. That’s why I like Suzie Welch’s rule of 10-10-10, also the title of her recent book. Welch recommends whenever you find yourself  faced with a situation where no solution will please all, ask yourself three questions:

• What are the consequences of my decision in 10 minutes?
• In 10 months?
• And in 10 years?

Your answers, she says, will tell you what you need to know and also help you to explain your choices to the family, friends and coworkers.

“Breakfast meeting Tuesday?” I texted a friend. “Can’t,” she responsed, “My turn 2 drop kids.” Sigh. Here we go again.

THERE’S BEEN AN AWFUL LOT OF ATTENTION on the working woman as of late. Unfortunately, the prevailing archetypes have a sense of déjà vu: Over-scheduled mom balancing family, job and sanity; experienced senior manager and the glass ceiling; unemployed graduate finds herself without a job.

Downturn or not, women’s participation in the U.S. workforce has increased dramatically over the past 50 years. But to examine only this aspect of the workforce woman is to look merely at the shifting numbers and ignore the shifting sentiments.

The truth is while the household reliance on women’s salaries increases, the importance of having a career-focused life agenda is dramatically diminishing.

To be clear: Work does matter, as a gal has to pay the bills and maintain benefits. But here’s what also matters: children, family, hobbies, causes and corporate attitudes. Forget the 14-hour day.

This next step in the working women’s movement is being lead by those at the very beginning of their working lives who, in the process, will help redefine the culture. The path becomes more a journey — with expected stops along the way — not a direct trajectory.

It began with the revolution of the ’60s and achieved high visibility with the shoulder-padded career womenof the ’70s. But in 2010 there will emerge a new phase for women and work, and the frontline reinforcements are primed and ready.

After all, they are daughters of a revolution.

_________________

EXCERPTED FROM 10 INSIGHTS FOR 2010 by Lifestyle Insights.
For more information: robin@robinavni.com.

© 2009 robinavni | lifestyle topics, insights & trends llc. All rights reserved. No part of this material may be duplicated or redistributed in any form without written permission.

Edited by MOLLY MARTIN; image source: iSTOCKPHOTO.

IN THE YEAR 2000, two authors, William Strauss and Neil Howe, predicted the generation about to come of age, the so-called Millennials, would be the most responsible generation since World War II.

Strauss and Howe, in writing their fourth book on generational studies, predicted that, like the G.I. generation before them, this group would experience great world turmoil that would help shape their lives.

In fairly quick order, the nation went through 9/11, the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the “Great Recession” ― serious issues that defined all, but will perhaps have the longest effect on those going to war or  getting established in their first careers.

Many articles have been written about how the workplace is learning to adjust to the different demands of the Millennials, which Howe and Strauss defined as those born between 1982 and 2001. In part because of their comfort with technology and the value that adds to their skills, the new workers do not always believe the boss knows best.

But there is much that bodes well from this group, which the authors believe is poised to define the 21st Century in much the same way as the G.I.s defined the 20^th because of these traits:

• They seek life/work balance
• They are considered the first youth generation in living memory to be less violent, less vulgar, and less sexually charged than the pop culture that adults are producing for them
• They’re expected to fuel the emergence of a new American middle class
• They will use their technology skills to change political and economic institutions and to promote a new sense of community and public good

Perhaps Harry Potter won’t be the only one of his generation to succeed in making the world a better place.

“HOW ABOUT A MEETING at 5 p.m. this afternoon,” the email said. “Can’t. Sorry. Need to pick up the boys at soccer practice. How about next Thursday?” came the response.

© iSTOCKPHOTO.COM

“Sorry. We’re on family vacation. How about 4pm next Thursday,” I sent back. “Nope, can’t do it — it’s our 10th anniversary.”

And, so it went. After a few additional back and forths and a reconfiguration of two of our daily meetings, we were able to skillfully negotiate a time for our one-hour business meeting.

Then I sat back in my office chair and gave a silent chuckle as I came to the realization that only two professional women would have this kind of exchange. Were the obstacles of soccer practice, family vacation and anniversary dinners of greater concern (and permanence) than the effort to move the 10 a.m. meeting or 2 p.m. phone conference? Maybe after all our years in the business world we know that in most cases, meetings can wait, but your kids can’t. Especially if it’s your turn to supply snack.

But truth be told, the  decisions of work vs. family are not easy. That’s why I like Suzie Welch’s rule of 10-10-10, also the title of her recent book. Welch recommends whenever you find yourself  faced with a situation where no solution will please all, ask yourself three questions:

• What are the consequences of my decision in 10 minutes?
• In 10 months?
• And in 10 years?

Your answers, she says, will tell you what you need to know and also help you to explain your choices to the family, friends and coworkers.

“Breakfast meeting Tuesday?” I texted a friend. “Can’t,” she responsed, “My turn 2 drop kids.” Sigh. Here we go again.