Finding flow in the workplace

Find your flow in the workplace

Does the start of a new working week fill you with dread?  Is a stressful job leaving you feeling burnt out and anxious about the week ahead?

If you're thinking of a career change (as many of us apparently are post lockdown) you might be interested in learning about some reportedly stress-free alternatives .. that also provide a decent salary. 

Here are the top 10 jobs that are apparently pretty darn stress-free (as reported by Prevention). 

  1. Economist

  2. Astronomer

  3. Actuary

  4. Mathematician

  5. Computer Hardware Engineer

  6. Optometrist

  7. Physicist

  8. Law Teacher

  9. Computer and Information Systems Manager

  10. Orthodontist

You might find it interesting that nine of these top ten highest paying jobs fall in the fields of math and science.  I don’t find it particularly surprising and I’ll tell you why…

The thing these jobs have in common .. is flow.

Math and science based work requires a great amount of focus (complete concentration and engagement in the task at hand).  The focus that is required to fulfill math and science related work inadvertently quietens the mind.  You’re so absorbed by the activity that the rest of the world seems to fade away … it puts you into a flow state. 

I hear you .. the retreat’s bookkeeping is hardly my favourite task .. but once I immerse myself in the activity it truly is calming. 

I might add that having the skills and knowledge to perform these complex activities is unfortunately a key component (trying to fill an Actuary’s shoes when you have no training would be anything but stress-free…)!

Think .. mindful movement like yoga, tai chi or Qigong.  A key component of these mindful movement practices is the complete concentration and engagement of mind the body.  And once you have the training and knowledge that allow you to be truly absorbed by these mindful movement practices they are a great pathway to flow.

Having a job that puts you into this calm and focused flow state will help you perform at your best and it will reduce stress and discontentment at work.   

How can you bring some flow into your daily work routine to reduce feelings of stress and overwhelm? 

#flowstates