Achieving flow

I recently stayed in an off grid moutain biking retreat in the forest at Derby in Tasmania.

The guiding value of the retreat was for guests to achieve a state of flow as described by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Here’s a link to his Ted talk

The experience was amazing and as a lover of customer service, I found it fascinating. The operations manager, who was also one of our guides, had not read Unreasonable Hospitality (as you can imagine I recommended it) but the place epitomised the philosophy in order for guests to achieve Flow.

Mountain biking is good for achieving Flow as your brain is managing a lot of incoming information and instructing the body to keep you upright and moving in a controlled manner. That’s what I enjoy about mountain biking, you really cannot have your mind on something else, as opposed to walking where it is easy to listen to a podcast or ruminate on what’s been going on in your life.

Flow states are not uncommon in dentistry; when we are truly immersed in a procedure, time can stand still. For some, time can disappear altogether so the flow state can hinder their time keeping.

But there is nothing more satisfying than a procedure running smoothly, the partnership with your DA unspoken understanding. And the patient, as a result, relaxed and receptive to care.

He states that this would be achieved after ten years in a particular field.

You are on the balance point between overwhelm and boredom.

As young dentists we strive to reach this state; we need to be patient and not rush the journey to get there.

As older dentists, to avoid boredom we need to set ourself challenges to keep learning and refining our techniques, whether its technical, communication or in leadership of our teams. By helping our teams to achieve flow our patients will benefit.

The team at the retreat embodied the values in their every action and as a result, their guests received unreasonable hopsitality.

As older dentists, we also need to not pitch into areas of overwhelm and come home with unexpected souvenirs.

Have a great week

Please share with a friend

Rosie