How to improve your employees’ focus and flow at work
The daily grind. The hamster wheel. Manic Mondays…exhausted Fridays. Of course, our working days ebb and flow with the impact of the wider world view, the corporate climate, organisational shifts, and even down to the chit-chat in the kitchen (virtual or IRL!).
What if employees could take back autonomy over their mindsets?
Reframing stressful project deadlines, adapting more positive cultures at work, allowing and progressing in their role with more focus, and flow.
In this article I’ll be taking you through the steps to invite more creative and sensorial ways to improve the very thing businesses need to help their employees’ thrive (aka, DO THEIR THING).
Why your employees need more focus and flow
Think about those moments when you’re in your “Zone of Genius” (a term forged by Gay Hendrick labelling the intersection of employees’ passion and talent). You’re not only loving the task in hand, you can’t think about anything else. It’s happening, progress, productivity and - the biggest P of all - potential!
It should perhaps be flow and focus, because really getting into that flow state is where the creative juices are released and the focus tap is turned on.
“Increasing alpha waves may also help make you a more creative thinker. One 2015 study found that alpha wave activity was associated with spikes in creativity. This effect, they found, could be induced using non-invasive brain stimulation.” - Kendra Cherry, https://www.verywellmind.com/
You’re now at the point where you don’t really want to stop doing the thing because it’s lighting you up. Maybe it’s the years of study flowing out of you. Or the untapped skills you’ve nurtured over the years. Or possibly, its a mixture of doing something you enjoy - AND that you’re good at.
And the cherry on top? It’s great for business. Happy clients (deals secured/returning customers/word of mouth marketing), happy employees (job satisfaction/reduced turnover/improved team morale).
You can almost picture the scene of glasses clinking! That sweet spot. Of course, all businesses want more of that.
“Effective decision-making processes enhance job satisfaction, boost employee morale and create a more engaged and motivated workforce.” - Erik Larson, Forbes.com
So how do we help employees improve their focus and flow?
Firstly, it’s worth noting: we live in a world of rapid impact and high levels of dopamine dependency asking us to DELIVER THE FINAL OUTCOME IMMEDIATELY!!
What we forget is for employees to achieve the best outcomes, they need to move sequentially through a series of tasks, moments, steps and these are the things that dictate the outcome, and ultimately, it's greatness.
REFLECT FOR JUST A MOMENT… How often are you staring at the final outcome, rather than the steps to get there?
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh
We often spend a lot of energy and attention on trying to get to the end goal. This is better spent broken down into smaller steps - this also leaves space for iteration and adaptability - inviting greater success - yes please!
Taking time to remind your team to pour their energy into the next step, rather than only focusing on the end result will reset the momentum from project-to-project.
RELEASE THE CREATIVE JUICES: In order to initiate flow, tapping into something that calms the mind before starting a task can help, whether that’s movement, meditation, massage, doodling or a creative activity.
The activity the individual chooses, should be something they can adopt, and practise on a regular basis, themselves. Hand massage, breathing, doodling can all trigger a sense of flow.
REFRAME THE SENSORY LANDSCAPE: (Spoiler: THIS IS THE JUICIEST ONE!) Believe it or not…we are in fact very different when it come to the smallest things that make up the environment that we’re working in.
Let me introduce the sensory landscape and how this can impact each individual employee. What one person can hear / see / smell / taste / touch can create distraction or focus. The environment in the workplace can be ideal for one person (or group of people), and not ideal for another.
“Women performed better in warmer conditions, while men thrived in cooler environments, the researchers found.” - Rachel Moss, huffingtonpost.co.uk
It's not just a preference for some of these adjustments - it's actual performance that can be improved.
How to get creative with your team to improve focus and flow through sensory stimulation
Consider ways in which small, micro adjustments can be made to help focus and flow for the individuals?
SOUND: Noise can impact everyone differently. Outside noise, inside noise or simply the acoustics in a space. Employees should be encouraged to consider what noise helps them focus best - comfort in sound? Or silence? Or something in between?
SIGHT: This is where our sense of safety is created. Visual prompts can trigger positivity and increase (or decrease) focus. Employees should consider screen use, neutral or bright colours in their spaces, positive words or phrases, plants, artwork and more.
TOUCH: Tactility is an essential part of human desire and the primary way in which we interact and connect to materials and our surroundings. Ask employees to think about colours, temperature, textiles and comfort. Fidget toys aren’t just for kids, that can dispel anxious energy and stop stress reaction (like nail biting etc).
SMELL: Our sense of small can inform us about the condition of a space and also trigger pleasing or unpleasant aromas strengthening employees’ connections to positive memories. Certain fragrances can calm or even enhance focus.
TASTE: Hunger can be a distraction, but having healthy snacks, or particular tastes in our mouths can enhance an experience. Mints, coffee, water, nibbles or even chewing gum can activate our senses - and improve our focus and flow.
This need for more creative thinkers in the workplace and more holistic coaching approaches for organisations to engage and help their employees grow with accountability and autonomy, is why we’ve created REFRAME.
REFRAME is a unique employee coaching programme which wellbeing success coach, Lisa de Laroy and I have curated for businesses looking to bring these untapped tools and techniques to their teams. The programme can offer lots of new and unique ways of releasing those Alpha brain waves, getting into flow and discovering employees’ untapped focus and potential.
Our work with companies of all sizes has allowed us to see and deliver the creative impact that coaching and mindset work can do.
How the REFRAME approach can benefit your staff wellbeing initiatives
We curate a programme of holistic sessions and resources that bring two key focuses together: mind and body. But even better, we show employee how to build their toolkit through coaching and creative practises to engage both the mind and the body in different ways. And guess what, it can be as simple as holding a pen.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements and how we can make the programme work for your company.