5 Types of Structure You Need to Create Flow

Many creatives and free spirits resist structure, under the belief that it will limit freedom, creativity, and flow.

Nothing can be further from the truth.

In fact, structure is essential for creativity and flow states. It’s the element that exist beneath all the other elements of flow that I shared in parts one, two, and three of this series.

Without the structure of the river banks, there’s no flowing river — just a flood. With the structure of the land to hold it, the river flows in a purposeful direction.

To get out of overwhelm and find flow, you need structure.

But what does that mean?

Here’s a break down of 5 types of structure you need to create flow.

5 Types of Structure You Need to Create Flow

(1) Specific Plan/Program

Specifics give us structure. There’s a huge difference between having a general plan and having a specific plan.

Consider the difference between

Exercise

and

Run 1 mile. Do 10 bicep curls with 15 pound dumbbells. Repeat 3 times.

Or consider the difference between

write an essay and write an essay about the 5 types of structure that support flow.

Your brain is wired to hook into specifics.

General plans create ambiguity and lead to uncertainty and questions, all of which impede flow.

(2) Sequence

The right sequencing of tasks is crucial for getting flow.

The concept of “productivity” originated with manufacturing (and still is best left to that context), so consider your task like an assembly line at a plant.

If you’re manufacturing a physical product, there’s a clear sequence in which tasks should be done to optimize for flow and minimize friction.

The same is true for anything we do, from workouts to knowledge work.

If you try to do a task when you aren’t primed for it, or when you’re too fatigued because you burned through that muscle already, it will be much harder to get it done.

You might even find that you can’t do it on a given day, even if you normally have the capacity to do it.

(3) Space

Space is one of the most literal forms of structure we can rely on.

“Space” is more than just the physical space. There are several forms of space that might be relevant to your task:

• physical space
• time
• mental space
• emotional space
• psychological space
• spiritual space

A space that is conducive to what you’re doing facilitates flow. The sweet spot — in both physical space and time space — is when you have enough space to execute your task, but not too much space that you’re roaming aimlessly.

In a physical space, you’re not tripping over other people in the space. Other people in the space respect the space you need.

In time space, you have enough space to devote to the task without rushing, but not so much that it leads you to procrastinate.

A clear mental, emotional, and psychological, and spiritual space free up bandwidth and allows you to focus on what you’re doing. You’re able to stay present and engaged.

(4) Strategy/System

It’s not enough to know what you need to do.

If you want to get into flow, you need to approach the task with a strategy or system for getting it done.

Strategies and systems include techniques and methods. Without good techniques, you might hit your mark one time but not the next time. You won’t be consistent in accomplishing your task. Without consistency, you’ll lack the certainty and confidence that you need to generate flow states.

You’ll end up doubting your capacity. When you’re in doubt, you’re not in flow.

(5) Support

A good support system can help you feel held by a structure even if some other elements are lacking.

Support can be someone who can hold space for you, listen to your concerns, help you build the capacity you’re lacking, and boost your confidence when you feel it waning.

The support of a good teacher or coach is essential to learning effective strategies, techniques, and methods.

For those of us with ADHD, it also helps to have support in creating the specific plan. Creating plans uses a lot of executive function energy. When someone else creates the plan, it frees up cognitive bandwidth, allowing us to show up and focus on implementing without much thought process.