It's back! But not daily. Honestly, it took a LOT out of me to write it every day for years! But if you're not there yet (I can't see your email) come and join us at Big Optimism. I'm having tons of fun there and it's ... wait for it ... daily!
You're off to a good start. I've been in the zone - twice in an immersive way. Once, on a black diamond ski run. it flowed, it was easy, and I remember the feeling. Second, on the golf course, when, wherever I looked, I hit. However I wanted to flight the ball, it went. And whatever putt I looked at, I made. Memorable. Wish I could find it more often.
I don't know if you were here then (I can't see emails so I can't look people up!). But a while back I did an interview with Bode Miller about how he put himself into the zone while skiing. It was very different from everything here, although maybe related — basically he tried to get himself emotionally worked up about imaginary scenarios, like if he'd had to save a loved one from a fire. I will have to dig it up, it's in the archives somewhere! Thanks for your comment.
Timothy Gallwey wrote a book exploring "the zone", Inner Skiing, as I recall (I looked it up on Amazon) delving into the "zone". There was also, i think one called "Inner Golf", though not sure about that one. Glad to have Understandably back.
My "flow state" involves travel. I can go for an ungodly number of hours even now at 77. I rode back to SC from Galveston last fall stopping only for fuel on my motorcycle. (1059 miles in 18-1/2 hours) It is called an "Iron Butt 1000" if you do it officially.
I just finished driving my 2005 M3 back from Houston (the Rolling Stones concert was amazing!) the same way. Some call me craazy, but that's their opinion, not mine.
Welcome back Understandably! Please don’t be offended, but I much prefer it to Big O. Big O makes me feel like you’re trying to cheer me up, or that all is not lost. Understandably always seemed to say, “here’s something intriguing that I think will appeal to you [the reader], you discerning, eager-to-learn- something-new- person.” Looking forward to all future Understandably’s.
Thank you. And at the risk of being a cliche or something ... I'm not trying to convince anyone else on Big Optimism, I really and truly am trying to convince myself. Let's see if writing this for a year helps lol. But the truth is I miss Understandably, I just can't do it every day.
As with Tommy Jennings said, I fell into the flow with the only game of golf where I broke 90. Somehow I just knew the day was going to be special when my drive left the tee and I started my round with a birdie and the day only got better.
I was a late-to-golf player; started playing when I was 50. For years I thought it was silly to go chasing a little white ball all over the world-and then I met the man I would marry and who loved golf almost more than any other sport he had ever played; almost more than life itself. Playing together wasn’t an option as my 8-5 schedule wouldn’t allow time for it AND I was convinced that I would learn a better game from a woman teaching pro. Eventually, time and teacher came together and I learned how to play the game. Things worked out even better when we moved to our dream house on the 9th hole of one of our mountain courses, a Donald Ross design. I broke 100 for the first time on that course.
In 2000, my husband and I made the monumental decision to sell our piece of heaven, buy a Dodge Grand Caravan, outfit it to accommodate us, our two small dogs, our golf clothes and clubs then hit the road to see the US, Alaska, Canada, Quebec and play golf; all of which we did. For 7 months we played golf all over and under different circumstances. What memories and making excuses for less than stellar play wasn’t allowed.
Then we moved to a new town and I had to learn about a brand new course, its layout, its weed/Bermuda greens and a much longer but flatter field of play; 180° difference. It seemed to take forever to break 100 again and frankly, I could have willingly given up the darn game except I was talked into joining a women’s league and my days of play increased dramatically. That seemed to be the game changer. Increased play saw my handicap drop steadily. I was having fun and playing decently and then this one, spectacular day happened. Everything clicked and one stroke made with confidence led to another. I was seeing the line on the putting surface and getting my speed right to make the putt. I knew I was playing well but still refused to hear my 9 hole score because I didn’t want to jinx myself. At the end of the round I heard 89 and I just knew I had finally found the key to the most exasperating game I had ever undertaken. I had all of two more really good rounds and then, golf being golf(flog, spelled backwards)it all went back to where Cinderella lost her slipper, only this time Prince Charming didn’t ever find it.
Long story to say that the zone is intoxicating air. All that happened 18 years ago but I still remember that feeling.
I really enjoyed this newsletter on flow state. I have heard and read about flow state before and was always intrigued by it. I finished my dissertation last summer (2023) and finally came to understand and experience flow state when writing it. The problem is once you have experienced it you want it EVERY time and that doesn’t happen!
I always have enjoyed your newsletter and your flow of thoughts!! Here’s wishing you much more time in the flow state….which is actually kind of a selfish wish if you think about it because in the end I will get to enjoy the product!
I appreciate you Bill. Always recognize your writing on Inc. articles before I scroll to the top to check if you wrote it! Long time reader of OG Understandably and love Big Optimism!
You should check out Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. He does some amazing journalism on research that dives into flow state and some of the barriers we face in achieving it. It doesn't really touch on being practiced at the work you are "flowing" at so this article is a complimenting addition as I wrap up listening to the book during my commute. Thank you!
I can honestly say, I appreciate both Understandably and Big Optimism equally. I love the daily “boost” I get from B. O., and Understandably never fails to be intriguing. They complement each other well. :-)
Love this ❤️❤️❤️
Glad understandably appeared today. I thought I was missing something and could not find it. Thanks!!
I miss the daily Understandably.
It's back! But not daily. Honestly, it took a LOT out of me to write it every day for years! But if you're not there yet (I can't see your email) come and join us at Big Optimism. I'm having tons of fun there and it's ... wait for it ... daily!
As a long time subscriber, Big Optimism is very enjoyable and it’s daily, as Bill says. Great way to start the day.
Thank you!!!
Well this was pretty good!
That's what I'm aiming for LOL ... Ultimately I'm hoping for **UTTERLY AMAZING** but I want to pace myself :)
You're off to a good start. I've been in the zone - twice in an immersive way. Once, on a black diamond ski run. it flowed, it was easy, and I remember the feeling. Second, on the golf course, when, wherever I looked, I hit. However I wanted to flight the ball, it went. And whatever putt I looked at, I made. Memorable. Wish I could find it more often.
I don't know if you were here then (I can't see emails so I can't look people up!). But a while back I did an interview with Bode Miller about how he put himself into the zone while skiing. It was very different from everything here, although maybe related — basically he tried to get himself emotionally worked up about imaginary scenarios, like if he'd had to save a loved one from a fire. I will have to dig it up, it's in the archives somewhere! Thanks for your comment.
Timothy Gallwey wrote a book exploring "the zone", Inner Skiing, as I recall (I looked it up on Amazon) delving into the "zone". There was also, i think one called "Inner Golf", though not sure about that one. Glad to have Understandably back.
Me, too on the golf course. Then I woke up :) Someday.....
My "flow state" involves travel. I can go for an ungodly number of hours even now at 77. I rode back to SC from Galveston last fall stopping only for fuel on my motorcycle. (1059 miles in 18-1/2 hours) It is called an "Iron Butt 1000" if you do it officially.
I just finished driving my 2005 M3 back from Houston (the Rolling Stones concert was amazing!) the same way. Some call me craazy, but that's their opinion, not mine.
I have a friend who traveled down there for that show, she said it was fantastic! But I can't imagine riding that long.
Most of my friends would agree with you. ;-)
My son and stepdaughter aren't surprised or put off at all.
Loved it !
Welcome back Understandably! Please don’t be offended, but I much prefer it to Big O. Big O makes me feel like you’re trying to cheer me up, or that all is not lost. Understandably always seemed to say, “here’s something intriguing that I think will appeal to you [the reader], you discerning, eager-to-learn- something-new- person.” Looking forward to all future Understandably’s.
Thank you. And at the risk of being a cliche or something ... I'm not trying to convince anyone else on Big Optimism, I really and truly am trying to convince myself. Let's see if writing this for a year helps lol. But the truth is I miss Understandably, I just can't do it every day.
As with Tommy Jennings said, I fell into the flow with the only game of golf where I broke 90. Somehow I just knew the day was going to be special when my drive left the tee and I started my round with a birdie and the day only got better.
I was a late-to-golf player; started playing when I was 50. For years I thought it was silly to go chasing a little white ball all over the world-and then I met the man I would marry and who loved golf almost more than any other sport he had ever played; almost more than life itself. Playing together wasn’t an option as my 8-5 schedule wouldn’t allow time for it AND I was convinced that I would learn a better game from a woman teaching pro. Eventually, time and teacher came together and I learned how to play the game. Things worked out even better when we moved to our dream house on the 9th hole of one of our mountain courses, a Donald Ross design. I broke 100 for the first time on that course.
In 2000, my husband and I made the monumental decision to sell our piece of heaven, buy a Dodge Grand Caravan, outfit it to accommodate us, our two small dogs, our golf clothes and clubs then hit the road to see the US, Alaska, Canada, Quebec and play golf; all of which we did. For 7 months we played golf all over and under different circumstances. What memories and making excuses for less than stellar play wasn’t allowed.
Then we moved to a new town and I had to learn about a brand new course, its layout, its weed/Bermuda greens and a much longer but flatter field of play; 180° difference. It seemed to take forever to break 100 again and frankly, I could have willingly given up the darn game except I was talked into joining a women’s league and my days of play increased dramatically. That seemed to be the game changer. Increased play saw my handicap drop steadily. I was having fun and playing decently and then this one, spectacular day happened. Everything clicked and one stroke made with confidence led to another. I was seeing the line on the putting surface and getting my speed right to make the putt. I knew I was playing well but still refused to hear my 9 hole score because I didn’t want to jinx myself. At the end of the round I heard 89 and I just knew I had finally found the key to the most exasperating game I had ever undertaken. I had all of two more really good rounds and then, golf being golf(flog, spelled backwards)it all went back to where Cinderella lost her slipper, only this time Prince Charming didn’t ever find it.
Long story to say that the zone is intoxicating air. All that happened 18 years ago but I still remember that feeling.
Bill,
I really enjoyed this newsletter on flow state. I have heard and read about flow state before and was always intrigued by it. I finished my dissertation last summer (2023) and finally came to understand and experience flow state when writing it. The problem is once you have experienced it you want it EVERY time and that doesn’t happen!
I always have enjoyed your newsletter and your flow of thoughts!! Here’s wishing you much more time in the flow state….which is actually kind of a selfish wish if you think about it because in the end I will get to enjoy the product!
Sharan
Congrats on finishing your dissertation! And yes you are right, I would love to be able to turn it on like a faucet!
Love this!! 💜
I appreciate you Bill. Always recognize your writing on Inc. articles before I scroll to the top to check if you wrote it! Long time reader of OG Understandably and love Big Optimism!
You should check out Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. He does some amazing journalism on research that dives into flow state and some of the barriers we face in achieving it. It doesn't really touch on being practiced at the work you are "flowing" at so this article is a complimenting addition as I wrap up listening to the book during my commute. Thank you!
Thank you I will check it out!
Great article! Glad to see Understandably back.
I can honestly say, I appreciate both Understandably and Big Optimism equally. I love the daily “boost” I get from B. O., and Understandably never fails to be intriguing. They complement each other well. :-)
Welcome back. I love your newsletter. Keep 'em coming. Regarding the reference to the Hemingway quote, you may want to read this piece posted on the Hemingway Society site: https://www.hemingwaysociety.org/quotation-controversy-writing-and-bleeding
stood
to be