24 Comments
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Life Inside My Mind's avatar

Such a grounded piece. To find that sublime, blissful calm in the middle of absolute chaos is the ultimate definition of flow. Outstanding work.

Florence Acosta's avatar

Being in a flow state is surreal. Things just go so smoothly when in this state. It all just like everything is on autopilot!

Lucas B's avatar

Yes it’s an amazing state to be in

Kasu (small wounds)'s avatar

Very interesting and introspective as always!

Lucas B's avatar

Thanks a lot. Hope you could connect.

Hina Gondal's avatar

A thoughtful post

Lucas B's avatar

Thanks Hina. Hope you could connect

Ferris Unni's avatar

I think we often think that those around us with conscience competence have some kind of inherent gift. I deeply appreciate this framing of it because it a) names all the work that goes into becoming consciously competent and b) reminds us that while the work may look different/take longer, we can all become more competent at what we do. Thank you for an awesome read!

Lucas B's avatar

Thanks Ferris Unni. Glad you liked 😀

Lile Mo's avatar

My last week's article on Cangzhou fits your experience here. They embedded martial arts in schools such that the fist wasn't novel at all but became away of life. Your work in protocol has become away of life.

Lucas B's avatar

Hi Lile Mo. Would be glad if you share the link of your article. Yes kind of till now. I am enjoying till I am transferred to a new department. Thanks for reading.

Lile Mo's avatar

thats a great spirit. here is the Cangzhou article

https://chinain5.substack.com/p/the-fist-that-gave-a-city-an-identity

Data Frank's avatar

I think most people imagine mastery feels intense and dramatic, when it probably feels quieter than that.

Your story almost makes excellence sound less like chasing greatness and more like disappearing fully into the work.

Lucas B's avatar

Thanks Frank for taking your time and reading my article.

Data Frank's avatar

Appreciate you sharing it I’ve read it closely, and it’s clear a lot of thought and lived experience sits behind it.

Lucas B's avatar

Thanks Frank.

Data Frank's avatar

You're welcome

Lucas B's avatar

Excellence I believe, is the process. The process where mind goes numb, where your brain acts like a noise cancelling airpod with attention flowing like a river. Greatness is mostly external. Lot of factors play a role in it. Excellence can be intrinsic and achievable.

Data Frank's avatar

Yeah framing excellence as something process based makes it feel more internal and repeatable, while greatness tends to depend on a wider mix of external conditions and timing.

Lucas B's avatar

Yes I feel so 😄

Data Frank's avatar

Glad it resonated 😄

Teresa Fracasso's avatar

The part that resonated most — when you stop performing and you're simply doing the work at a level where it feels like you. That's a great description of flow state. There is a book by Martin Seligman called ' authentic happiness' and flow state is part of it! Most people chase it. You just described what it actually feels like from the inside. That calm in the middle of chaos isn't luck. It's years of repetition finally becoming instinct

Lucas B's avatar

Hi Teresa. Thanks for your response. I am happy that some part of my writing resonated with you. I was apprehensive about putting my experience initially. But after lot of deliberation, I went ahead with it. I believe there has to be a lot of lean and boring hours of practice, before that flow state comes. Its part of the process i think. Thanks for your suggestion. I will definetly read it.

Lucas B's avatar

Thanks a lot 😊