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#ProdChat – 08/29/13 – #Productivity Flow

#ProdChat – 08/29/13 – #Productivity Flow

This week we discussed the characteristics of productivity flow based on the book, Flow ( http://amzn.to/12OWhaW ), by Mihaly Czikzsentmihalyi.

  1. Welcome to #ProdChat, the weekly #productivity conversation! goo.gl/Uk35l | Today’s Topic: Productive Flow
  2. Excited for an hour of #ProdChat. Coming up now… Expect more traffic from me than normal for the next hour.
  3. Hi, everyone! Michelle here on #ProdChat. I’m a productivity and organizational geek. I practice (practice…) GTD using OmniFocus.
  4. So, let’s start with introductions! In a tweet, introduce yourself. #prodchat
  5. @michgunn Good evening, Michelle! Good to have you on #prodchat, as always! :))
  6. So formal. ;) RT @rsidneysmith: @michgunn Good evening, Michelle! Good to have you on #prodchat, as always! :))
  7. @LoisMarketing Well, hello, Lois! Good to have you on #prodchat this evening. We’re going to have a great discussion!
  8. @rsidneysmith Keep me posted about your ATL travel plans, ok? I look forward to getting together! #prodchat
  9. @michgunn Hehe. I didn’t want to be all “Wassup, guuurrrllll?!” ;-) #prodchat
  10. Ha!!! ROFL RT @rsidneysmith: @michgunn Hehe. I didn’t want to be all “Wassup, guuurrrllll?!” ;-) #prodchat
  11. BTW folks this is my first #ProdChat using my new MacMini
  12. Q1: IN THE BOOK, FLOW, IT SAYS “FLOW” IS THE EXPERIENCE THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS. HOW DO YOU DEFINE “PRODUCTIVE FLOW?” #prodchat
  13. @LoisMarketing Absolutely! I’ll be scheduling everything mid-September for October. :)) #tweetupATL #prodchat
  14. Oh! Exciting!! Congrats! RT @GTDbloke: BTW folks this is my first #ProdChat using my new MacMini
  15. @GTDbloke Welcome to the world, MacMini (or, is it WALL-E?)! Lol. I hope the MacMini is treating you well so far, Martin! #prodchat
  16. @michgunn thasks but still using my Abndroid tablet – can’t be a complete iSheep! #ProdChat
  17. A1 … the other is being in a work zone because my system IS catching all the extra stuff and letting me really focus #ProdChat
  18. A1 There’s a couple of versions of “productive flow” for me… one is my task system singing… #ProdChat
  19. A1: Productivity Flow for me is the state where effort and output are equal. I don’t feel anything hold me back. #prodchat
  20. Good evening #prodchat Following along while shopping w/the wife.
  21. Focus with a carefully mapped out plan, charting completion of steps and milestones #prodchat A1
  22. Ha… forgot the hashtag, so that came out backwards… anyway you get the idea #ProdChat
  23. agreed! RT @rsidneysmith: A1: Flow for me is the state where effort and output are equal. I don’t feel anything hold me back. #prodchat
  24. A1 habitually conducting my day, month and so on – leading to contentment which I guess=happiness #ProdChat
  25. Checking out • Wednesday’s ✓ #ProdChat — Productivity discussion ▸ 20:00 ET
  26. Finding ‘the zone’ where you have a clear path toward the goal or completion, able to fully focus on task at hand. #prodchat A1
  27. Q2: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR PRODUCTIVE FLOW IS EASY / DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY? WHY, OR WHY NOT? #prodchat
  28. Q2: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR PRODUCTIVE FLOW IS EASY / DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY? WHY, OR WHY NOT? #prodchat
  29. @LoisMarketing That’s a great definition, Lois. I think @gtdguy calls the marriage of focus and intention, clarity. :)) #prodchat #miaw
  30. Part of the ‘flow’ is the environment in which you work — comfortable, efficient and equipped with the tools needed #prodchat A1
  31. Q2 not difficult but easy to “fall off the wagon” – takes disciplne #prodchat
  32. A2 If I stay on top of my system and really use it to guide me, productive flow is very easy to achieve consistently #ProdChat
  33. A2 If I stay on top of my system and really use it to guide me, productive flow is very easy to achieve consistently #ProdChat
  34. @LoisMarketing That’s soooo true. Having all the resources at hand to make a productive flow state happen is essential! #prodchat
  35. RT @michgunn A2 If I stay on top of my system and really use it to guide me, productive flow is very easy to achieve consistently #ProdChat
  36. @apinaud: @GTDbloke que bueno Martin. Si necesitas ayuda con la Mac solo pregunta. #prodchat
  37. A2 I think I’m my biggest obstacle in productive flow. Procrastination and whatnot… ;/ #ProdChat
  38. A2: It really depends on planning, mood/energy and resources for me. If I have the right kind and amounts, I can flow easily. #prodchat
  39. Hi, #prodchat! I’m making something new for dinner and wondering when to order the pizza. What are we chatting about?
  40. A2 having a productive system means “forgetting” what’s ahead making it easier and less stressful #prodchat
  41. @profkrg Hey, Kenna! Great to have you on #prodchat, as always! We’re chatting about Productive Flow (based on Czikszentmihalyi’s book).
  42. RT @GTDbloke A2 having a productive system means “forgetting” what’s ahead making it easier and less stressful #prodchat
  43. @GTDbloke That’s a great perspective…it’s like lubricant to the gears in your car’s engine. It reduces friction. #prodchat
  44. @profkrg blame Martin. But they say that I am like Buzz in Spanish version ;) #ProdChat
  45. @michgunn But, there are solutions to #procrastination thankfully. I’m not sure about what-not?! ;-) #prodchat
  46. @rsidneysmith Ha. Yeah, it’s the whatnot that’s the really big problem. ;P #ProdChat
  47. One key for me is to have things organized for the next day and a to-do list made before I ‘sign out’ each day. #prodchat A2
  48. @GTDbloke when the whatnot is not what you SHOULD be doing… ;) #ProdChat
  49. @apinaud REIR. Oh, Augusto. Debemos organizar un #prodchat en español. :-))
  50. A2 actually for enough people this is an elusive goal – e.g Inbox 0 is a myth #prodchat
  51. MT @LoisMarketing One key…is to have things organized for the next day and a to-do list made before I ‘sign out’ each day. #prodchat A2
  52. Q3: WHAT DOES PRODUCTIVE FLOW FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU’RE IN THAT STATE? #prodchat
  53. @michgunn @GTDbloke not a myth here either. But require not look to the whatnots and check the important stuff #ProdChat
  54. One of my best friends is most productive person I know. Checks email/vmail twice daily. Only twice! #prodchat A3
  55. A3: I’m so focused on a task that time goes by without me realizing it’s passed. #prodchat
  56. Hello #prodchat. I spend an exhausting afternoon babysitting kittens
  57. @apinaud @GTDbloke Right! Sadly, email is not a whatnot for me… now cleaning my windows like I did today… more of a whatnot. ;) #ProdChat
  58. Cont’d tweet — Clients and others can reach her in case of emergency. She is not glued to the phone, email, SoMe. Admirable! #prodchat A3
  59. @michgunn @GTDbloke I do better now that have one day if the week for those kind of tasks. #ProdChat
  60. @LoisMarketing Yeah, I’ve moved to checking my personal email once a day this summer. I’ll change that after Labor Day, though. #prodchat
  61. Exactly RT @profkrg: A3: I’m so focused on a task that time goes by without me realizing it’s passed. #prodchat
  62. Prioritizing is important to me as company of one :) Relegating administrative tasks to one, perhaps two mornings/month #prodchat A3
  63. Better than herding. ;) Welcome! RT @tburgess57: Hello #prodchat. I spend an exhausting afternoon babysitting kittens
  64. @rsidneysmith @michgunn @GTDbloke I don’t use filters Only open email if I can process If your emails gets filtered is to be del #ProdChat
  65. @michgunn usually the work I do while in a flow state is really quality because I’m so focused. #prodchat
  66. Interesting! RT @apinaud: @michgunn @GTDbloke I do better now that have one day if the week for those kind of tasks. #ProdChat
  67. Productivity Book Group: SAT AUG 31, 12ET! Join & discuss MAKING IT ALL WORK (Chs.11-20) by @gtdguy! goo.gl/I99NTD #gtd #prodchat
  68. A3: For me, productive flow is clear and unfettered. I don’t need caffeine or anything else…I feel content doing. #prodchat
  69. I enjoy being in my office and in a productive ‘zone’, but also enjoy literally closing the door and leaving it at end of day #prodchat A3
  70. ;) True! RT @tburgess57: @michgunn you don’t herd kittens and keep your sanity #prodchat
  71. @michgunn @GTDbloke I try to do a minimum of 1/2 a day a week for whatnots. Keep the system flowing #ProdChat
  72. @GTDbloke They seem like they’d help me, but I have found them an impediment to Inbox Zero. cc @michgunn @apinaud #prodchat
  73. @LoisMarketing I love that feeling of a full workday well done…closing out and turning off for my evening. :)) #prodchat
  74. @michgunn @rsidneysmith @LoisMarketing even better limit personal email to one device. Not your smartphone #ProdChat
  75. @GTDbloke @rsidneysmith @apinaud @michgunn filters too can reduce smart phone email notifications/interruptions #prodchat
  76. I haven’t really been able to make email filters work for me… oh wait, yes I have. With @sanebox. :) #ProdChat
  77. RT @michgunn I haven’t really been able to make email filters work for me… oh wait, yes I have. With @sanebox. :) #ProdChat
  78. @LoisMarketing I hear ya. I just cannot…cannot work in make-shift workspaces at home. I gravitate toward distraction. #prodchat
  79. Q4a: FLOW (BOOK) POSITS THAT FLOW IS ACHIEVED WHEN COMMON TRAITS EXIST–GOALS, RULES & CLEAR FEEDBACK/REWARDS. #prodchat
  80. @rsidneysmith @michgunn @sanebox from glance this is a bit like Gmail slicing/dicing into important, notifications … I disabled #prodchat
  81. I enjoy when I discover productivity tools I can use in other aspects of life, such as accomplishing a home project #prodchat A4
  82. @GTDbloke @sanebox is far more sophisticated than Gmail’s Priority Inbox and tabs system. FWIW. cc @michgunn #prodchat
  83. @GTDbloke Hit me up if you have any questions. It’s a great service. I can’t imagine my inbox without it! #ProdChat
  84. @rsidneysmith @sanebox @michgunn that’s why I disabled it and used filters – thx will pook #prodchat
  85. @profkrg I couldn’t fit the whole darn thing in one tweet so I had to split it into an A and B tweet. :-P #prodchat
  86. A4: This is pure #GTD for me…I have to have a plan, I have to know the boundaries of the project/task, and I need a reward. #prodchat
  87. A4: I’ve created my own tiered reward system so that if the task/project doesn’t have a tangible outcome (which most done’t)… #prodchat
  88. A4: …then I have specific rewards that I give myself for accomplishing those projects/tasks. #prodchat
  89. I think I need to do that! @rsidneysmith: A4: …then I have specific rewards that I give myself for accomplishing projects/tasks. #prodchat
  90. @michgunn What are the basic criteria for flow? (would be another way of saying it) #prodchat
  91. @rsidneysmith Tier 1: A beer. Tier 2: A beer and slice of pizza … *teasing!* #prodchat
  92. @michgunn That is, Czikszentmihalyi defines it as I said in Q4a, but perhaps you have a different perspective. :) #prodchat
  93. A4 my reward is the process, flow, and peace off mind #prodchat
  94. A4 my reward is the process, flow, and peace off mind #prodchat
  95. @michgunn I’ll have to research whether I’ve written or podcasted about my reward system in the past. #prodchat
  96. Ha! RT @LoisMarketing: @rsidneysmith Tier 1: A beer. Tier 2: A beer and slice of pizza … *teasing!* #prodchat
  97. Main trait is healthy balance. Work is accomplished without needless time to complete due to distraction and disorganization. #prodchat A4
  98. Q5: HOW CAN/COULD YOU “GAMIFY” YOUR PROJECTS/TASKS TO ACHIEVE PRODUCTIVE FLOW MORE OFTEN, CONSISTENTLY? #prodchat
  99. Q5: HOW CAN/COULD YOU “GAMIFY” YOUR PROJECTS/TASKS TO ACHIEVE PRODUCTIVE FLOW MORE OFTEN, CONSISTENTLY? #prodchat
  100. Q5: HOW CAN/COULD YOU “GAMIFY” YOUR PROJECTS/TASKS TO ACHIEVE PRODUCTIVE FLOW MORE OFTEN, CONSISTENTLY? #prodchat
  101. Q5: HOW CAN/COULD YOU “GAMIFY” YOUR PROJECTS/TASKS TO ACHIEVE PRODUCTIVE FLOW MORE OFTEN, CONSISTENTLY? #prodchat
  102. A4: I notice that my ideas are really organized during flow, which usually occurs during writing. #prodchat
  103. RT @profkrg A4: I notice that my ideas are really organized during flow, which usually occurs during writing. #prodchat
  104. A5: I think I could add more immediate feedback to my tasks…make it a point system, and try to rack up points per hour! :) #prodchat
  105. Like! MT @LoisMarketing: healthy balance. Work accomplished without needless distraction and disorganization. #prodchat A4
  106. @rsidneysmith I was about to say — your reward system you mentioned with Q4 can apply with Q5 as well. Like the idea #prodchat A5
  107. A5: I can involve more people in my work time (not specifically the projects/tasks). I feel flow more when collaborating. #prodchat
  108. @LoisMarketing Yes, it’s most certainly applicable to both Q4 and Q5. :) #prodchat
  109. A5 What’s with everyone wanting to “gamify” everything. Not everything is meant to be a game. Sheesh! ;) #ProdChat
  110. A5 What’s with everyone wanting to “gamify” everything. Not everything is meant to be a game. Sheesh! ;) #ProdChat
  111. Rewards for me include Fri afternoons off during summer, then time for holiday shopping/errands in Dec #prodchat A5
  112. A5: My understanding of flow is that it is best accomplished through moderately challenging tasks. Not too difficult or too easy. #prodchat
  113. Productivity Book Group: SAT AUG 31, 12ET! Join us to discuss MAKING IT ALL WORK (Chs.11-20)! goo.gl/I99NTD #gtd #prodchat
  114. RT @michgunn: A5 What’s with everyone wanting to “gamify” everything. Not everything is meant to be a game. Sheesh! ;) #ProdChat
  115. A5: I think my mindset could be more like when approaching a game of Words With Friends…a discrete challenge I will achieve. #prodchat
  116. @michgunn Agreed! And perhaps a step to true productivity is to stop viewing every task in that mode! #prodchat
  117. @profkrg Yes, Czikszentmihalyi says that workers who are faced with something unchallenging or insurmountable will give up. #prodchat
  118. RT @LoisMarketing Rewards for me include Fri afternoons off during summer, then time for holiday shopping/errands in Dec #prodchat A5
  119. @rsidneysmith but flow states don’t occur if tasks are mindless. #prodchat
  120. @rsidneysmith @profkrg You have that Czik name set to auto-complete don’t you? ;) #prodchat
  121. Yeah, I’m just not all about that kind of competition. I enjoy a job well done. (So corny!!) #ProdChat
  122. Yeah, I’m just not all about that kind of competition. I enjoy a job well done. (So corny!!) #ProdChat
  123. I’m seeing a pattern of time off in exchange for a week of good work done. :) #prodchat
  124. @LoisMarketing Hahaha. I wish. It’s a toughie to spell correct each time, eh? cc @profkrg #prodchat
  125. @rsidneysmith nothing like a good book at Friday 2pm to celebrate a hard week #ProdChat
  126. Q6: DO YOU KNOW APPS/TOOLS THAT HELP GAMIFY YOUR WORK? EITHER WAY, WHAT FEATURES WOULD THEY HAVE? #prodchat
  127. Q6: DO YOU KNOW APPS/TOOLS THAT HELP GAMIFY YOUR WORK? EITHER WAY, WHAT FEATURES WOULD THEY HAVE? #prodchat
  128. Q6: DO YOU KNOW APPS/TOOLS THAT HELP GAMIFY YOUR WORK? EITHER WAY, WHAT FEATURES WOULD THEY HAVE? #prodchat
  129. Q6: DO YOU KNOW APPS/TOOLS THAT HELP GAMIFY YOUR WORK? EITHER WAY, WHAT FEATURES WOULD THEY HAVE? #prodchat
  130. @LoisMarketing @rsidneysmith I blogged about flow. I made sure I spelled his name right the first time. Then, copy and paste. #prodchat
  131. I love that, Augusto! RT @apinaud: @rsidneysmith nothing like a good book at Friday 2pm to celebrate a hard week #ProdChat
  132. @michgunn There’s no competition but with yourself, to paraphrase the adage. Gamifying is a technique not for levity. cc @gtdbloke #prodchat
  133. Nap for me! “@apinaud: @rsidneysmith nothing like a good book at Friday 2pm to celebrate a hard week #ProdChat
  134. A6 OK, I’ll play along… How about a very loud “Whoohoo!!!” for doing the task and checking it off. Or a big SWOOSH sound #ProdChat
  135. Gamifying for me is doodling a little flower by an item on my to-do list. :) #prodchat A6
  136. A6: @SuperBetter is definitely one I’d check out for all kinds of things. #prodchat
  137. LMAO MT @michgunn A6 OK, I’ll play along… How about a very loud “Whoohoo!!!” for doing the task…. Or a big SWOOSH… #ProdChat
  138. I’ve had to move the cups holding color markers and pens off of my desk as I would play with them all day. #IAmFive #prodchat A6
  139. A6: @Duolingo is a great app for a gamified language learning tool! It’s exactly what Czikszentmihalyi is speaking about. #prodchat
  140. A6: To some extent, the #GTD Workflow Model is a tool that exemplifies gamifying work. #prodchat
  141. @GTDbloke Thanks for joining us, Martin! Have a great rest of your day! #prodchat
  142. MT @LoisMarketing I moved cups holding color markers and pens off of my desk as I would play with them all day. #IAmFive #prodchat A6
  143. A6: As far as features, I want it to prompt me when it knows I’m not in a meeting. #prodchat
  144. A6: Another feature: keep prompting me when I don’t do something that I want to do but am procrastinating (several postponements). #prodchat
  145. @rsidneysmith @LoisMarketing I remove all the distractions that get somehow to my desk during the day every night #ProdChat
  146. A6: Yet another feature: automagically color-categorizing tasks/projects by my higher horizons so as to motivate me. #prodchat
  147. Great #ProdChat everyone! Thanks for the laughs and for the great ideas! Have a great week, and see ya next Wednesday!
  148. Thanks #productivity enthusiasts for tonight’s #ProdChat! Join us again next week! Check out the transcript in the morning!
  149. Thanks #productivity enthusiasts for tonight’s #ProdChat! Join us again next week! Check out the transcript in the morning!
  150. Thanks #productivity enthusiasts for tonight’s #ProdChat! Join us again next week! Check out the transcript in the morning!
  151. Hasta la vista @profkrg ;) #ProdChat (there was no other way to say goodbye tonight)

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