In quiet desperation, people choose to be stuck in a career that is both uninspiring and unfulfilling. Finding the right fit for your natural skills is the most important factor to be successful so it is highly significant to know the concept of personal flow in order to be successful.
Chris Meyers of Forbes reported on the concept of flow. This was popularized by a Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the early 90s. Finding the right fit can create a state of happiness and creativity called flow. The theory simply means that flow is evident when a person's skills are aligned with the challenges ahead. On the other hand, when a person is working outside of their flow, challenges arise.
The example cited was when an individual works in an environment where his natural skills are being surpassed, the individual experiences a lot of anxiety and stress. On the contrary, if an individual has advanced skills are wasted in his industry, it creates boredom and apathy.
According to the author, finding your personal flow is no easy task, however, there are key lessons discovered that can guide you in finding your flow.
1. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses.
Meyers graduated business school and it was a trend to start a career in consulting afterwards. Although he had the urge to do something more creative and entrepreneurial, he was afraid to take the risk at that time. As a result, he was constantly anxious about his performance and almost stressed about everything.
2. Don't let yourself get too comfortable
In Meyer's case, staying in financial consulting gave him a comfortable lifestyle. He was willing to sacrifice short-term pain for a good compensation. The allure of comfort sometimes outweighs the desire to leave your mark in the world. However, create that positive change before it's too late. It may be hard to go back if you've passed the point of no return. It can be stifling and unfulfilling in the end.
3. Learn to take risks
When Meyers decided to quit his well-paying job to open a company, her wife was just months away from giving birth. He was suggesting to remove any semblance of stability in their lives. Despite the risks, they both knew it was the right thing to do. He was lucky to find his flow. Many aren't able to take that risk and as a result, fail to take opportunities when they present themselves.
In summary, nothing in life comes easy. If you want to find your perfect state flow, you need to be able to take risks both big and small. Although this can be scary and difficult, risks and reward go together. So be honest with yourself, don't get too comfortable and take risks. In the end, that's better than living in quiet desperation.
