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Go Random and Get More Done

by | September 5, 2023 | Entrepreneurship

If you read Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s book FLOW, you may recall an exercise where he gave pagers to participants and instructed them to record their feelings and activities whenever the pager went off randomly throughout the day. The participants were asked to note down what they were doing, how they were feeling, and their overall sense of enjoyment and engagement in the activity.

I suggest this exercise for my clients with clear task deadlines who are challenged by distraction. I advise them to set random alarms when they need to get some serious work done.

Once they have a plan for the task, they set 4 random alarms to go off during a 3-4 hour period of work time. The objective is to not be caught off task when the alarm goes off. If you do get caught watching the news when the alarm goes off, then it’s a reminder to re-direct you back to the task.

You are competing with yourself to be on task each and every time that alarm sounds. You can also set an alarm for every 20 or 30 minutes during that 3-4 hour work period. How much quality work can you complete in a 20 or 30 minute span of time? 

You can create a random alarm experience on both iPhone and Android phones. Here’s how you can do it on each platform: iPhone:

  • Open the Clock app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on the “Alarm” tab at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap on the “+” button to create a new alarm.
  • Set the desired time for the alarm by scrolling through the hours and minutes.
  • Tap on “Repeat” to configure the repeat settings.
  • Select “Custom” from the repeat options.
  • Tap on the days of the week to enable or disable them as per your preference.
  • Set multiple alarms with different times and repeat patterns to create a random alarm effect.

Android:

  • Open the Clock app on your Android phone. The exact app name and location may vary depending on the device manufacturer and Android version.
  • Tap on the “Alarms” or “Clock” tab, usually located at the bottom of the screen.
  • Tap on the “+” or “Add” button to create a new alarm.
  • Set the desired time for the alarm.
  • Look for the option to set the repeat pattern (e.g., daily, weekdays, weekends).
  • If your device has a “Custom” or “Advanced” option for repeat settings, select that.
  • Adjust the days or intervals to create a random alarm effect by enabling or disabling the desired days.

If you want more spicy ways to get things done, done well and on time, visit my website at MindfulCommunication.com.

How “Hyperfocus” and “Flow” Differ

by | August 7, 2023 | Entrepreneurship

ADHD “hyperfocus” and the “flow” state share some similarities, but they also have distinct characteristics and underlying mechanisms.

ADHD Hyperfocus:

Hyperfocus is unique to people with ADHD. It is often described as an intense, often involuntary focus on a particular task or activity. Individuals with ADHD may have difficulty shifting their attention away from the task, even when it’s unproductive or inappropriate.  Note: Not all people with ADHD experience hyperfocus.

ADHDers prize their ability to hyperfocus. They consider it their superpower.

They may hyperfocus on stimulating or rewarding activities, often impulsively, to the extent of neglecting other essential tasks or responsibilities. It can be very difficult to transition someone out of hyperfocus.

The neural mechanisms behind hyperfocus in ADHD may be related to the dysregulation of attention networks.

The Flow State (for the rest of us):

The “flow” state is a voluntary and intentional immersion in a task. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s first described the concept. It is a state of complete engagement and focus, characterized by optimal performance and enjoyment of the activity.

It typically occurs when the task has clear goals and provides immediate feedback, allowing individuals to gauge their progress and adjust their efforts accordingly.

Similarly, individuals in a flow state may become so absorbed in a task that they also lose track of time and can feel detached from the outside world.

Differences:

Hyperfocus in ADHD is often associated with difficulty in controlling attention and impulsivity, whereas a flow state is a conscious and intentional choice to immerse oneself in a task.

In ADHD, hyperfocus may occur in situations where the individual is not in control of their focus, whereas flow is a deliberate and satisfying experience.

Hyperfocus in ADHD makes one oblivious to outside demands, while a flow state allows for awareness of outside demands and is generally a positive and productive experience.

The flow state is associated with optimal brain function and coordination of different brain regions.

Hyperfocus is elusive for most. But most anyone can learn how to create a flow state through CoreCoaching. Contact me at Rebecca@MindfulCommunication.com