A very popular topic now is around being in the flow… which is very different from going with the flow in my view.
While we had some free time after business meetings in Bahrain, we took an opportunity to go on a kayak in the sea. None of us had ever done it before. I did not have a sun hat and was wearing jeans and a shirt, but whatever – there is always a first time! The people at the kayak renting station were super nice and gave me a sun hat and waterproof bag for the phone, and we started. The sea was calm and warm, so the splashes felt refreshing at 27 degrees. At some point we headed towards the open sea and that was the moment when the boat was moving so smoothly, like in the flow.
That was a great metaphor of what happens when you manage to catch the flow: you still have to work as a team to row in a steady rhythm and in one direction, watch the surroundings to make sure you avoid big boats and keep navigating towards the sea, you still might need to adjust the hat and phone bag strap, be aware of the waves and other movements. So you actually do a few things that might be pretty routine, but if that all works together you can use the best from the moment and what environment has to offer and eventually get to the sea. Yes, there might be a storm at some point, but you will navigate it when needed.
While going with the flow makes you float and rely on wherever it takes you, you are not in control at all, being in the flow allows to use every opportunity it has to offer and be in control of leveraging those.
What do you prefer: go with the flow or be in it?
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