Grit and Flow: Are You "in the Zone" to Fulfill Your Passions? • Posts by EIM | Evidence In Motion Skip To Content

Grit and Flow: Are You “in the Zone” to Fulfill Your Passions?

August 31, 2018 • Other • Tony Varela

Imagine a world that is different from the one we know. Not a utopian or an apocalyptic setting, but rather a world where we have shed all your insecurities, forgiven our transgressions, and are freed from judgement. Imagine a world where there is no longer a discrepancy between the people we are and the people we want to be. The difficult nature of this imagined potential is directly related to our ability to recognize conditioned behavior and self-sabotaging decisions. This challenge also reflects the required discipline needed for the journey. We are all the same in this manner, whereas we struggle to evolve.

This discussion will span the scope of resilience, self-efficacy, and “grit” required for the journey.

The scope will be filtered through the concepts of mindfulness and passion as the expression of our purpose that creates a “flow” with endeavors that move us. These ideas and concepts unite us, and they are elevated in this discussion to better understand patients in chronic pain. This seemingly overwhelming struggle to evolve is the same for those in chronic pain. Those in chronic pain are unable to see a world different from the one they know.

Regardless of who we are, the journey toward our lifetime achievements is built on the determinants of daily moments. We become what we do every day. The meaning of any given day is solely expressed by those moments. It is the accumulation of these moments that provide specific intent and ultimate meaning. And, we hope the ultimate meaning aligns with our purpose. It is purpose that created us, purpose the pulls us, drives us, guides us, and unites us. Part of the struggle to evolve is realizing our purpose. The purposeful life for all individuals is an ultra marathon necessitating an inch by inch approach toward a proverbial finish line. This step wise approach in sync with our purpose is tangible through specific goals. Each goal provides potential for challenges to overcome, or highlights to celebrate. That is to say, that every day comes with its own challenges that require decisions, and those decisions are attached to consequences. Our decisions tie us with the experience of the moment, the context in which it exists, and the goals we set. All decisions exist within a delicate balance of biased interest, practice, purpose, and hope.

The disciplined focus for a bigger purpose requires “grit” from one decision to the next. The undercurrent of our “grit” is the passion through those moments that allow an experiential fusion. Our absorption in those daily moments where we express our passion allow the experiential fusion that is known as “flow.” Every moment of our evolution requires that we rise up to the challenge to find and meet our passion with focus, discipline, and “grit.” The distance between us and the consistency of meeting these challenges holds transgressions, traumas, misfortunes, risk factors, stressors, and suffering we endured. The coping required for the steadfastness of these realities brings is our “grit.” The alignment between “grit” and “flow” parallels our purpose allowing us to evolve.

“Grit” is defined as passion for a goal (consistency of interest) and perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals (overcoming obstacles); an unchanging persistence for a consistent interest despite facing adversity or failure (Duckworth, 2016).

“Grit” is constructed from the premises of concentration, diligence, and focus through adverse conditions. In many ways, this discipline is a dedicated mindfulness. The mindfulness through experiential fusion becomes “flow.”

“Flow” is the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990).

“Flow” is commonly expressed as ‘being in the zone.’ In essence, “flow” is characterized by complete absorption in what one does, often associated with personal meaning, purpose, and positive outcomes. This meaning and purpose can be found in the pain we experience, which reminds us of our weaknesses and fragility. However, pain also offers potential to understand a stronger part of ourselves. The evolution to the stronger part of ourself can only be fueled by “grit.” Overcoming chronic pain requires the same “grit.” The concept of accepting, committing, and overcoming our pain reflects the very nature of daily moments and the work needed to overcome the distractions, one step at a time, one moment at a time, and one day at a time.

These concepts highlight my purpose as a physical therapist who cares for those with chronic pain. The development of chronic pain and the associated suffering sheds light on behavioral challenges and coping mechanisms. Enter resilience! Resilience needs a tangible expression. “Grit” is the tangible pathway of resilience. Someone who exhibits resilient behavior is inherently “gritty.”

“Grit” is the great equalizer as everyone has the ability for true “grit” regardless of IQ, education, talent, socioeconomic status, or circumstance.

The common denominator between resilience and “grit” is they serve us best in the face of adversity. The primary difference between the two is that “grit” requires a specific goal. The challenge for me as a professional is to also display “grit” and find ways to inspire it in those I serve. This occurs through compassionate understanding and radical advocacy, and it is then developed by small goals that lead to intermediate goals, which lead to ultimate goals. The understanding of an individual’s purpose begins the process that inspires resilience and “grit.” The coping of chronic pain often reflects a breakdown in an individual’s purpose. The true nature of overcoming adversity is finding and targeting a greater purpose.

The ultimate suggestion is that our evolution from any given point requires something within us that is all too often at the distant margins of our being. Sometimes we need a push to bring it to the surface. That push comes in many different forms, and for some it is physical pain. Resilience is what we call on to reel in the strength needed to overcome an adverse situation. Through this adversity there is potential to understand the better and stronger part of ourselves. Talk about reframing pain. The consideration of evolving though requires an unwavering stamina. Passion is our stamina and it is mobilized by “grit.” “Flow” aligns our passion with our performance and fuses us to the experience in those daily moments. Resilience and “grit” are required to evolve and overcome the self imposed barriers. Those barriers are the resistance that have locked us in our current state of being. We wont see a different world until we overcome these barriers. Our evolution is an endurance race that requires 60 seconds of distance run for every unforgiving minute (moment). In this regard, it is not easy until it is, and the reward of “grit” is an ultimate grace.

References:

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. New York, NY: Harperperenial Modern Classics.

Duckworth, A.L. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Tony Varela

Tony Varela is the clinic manager at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation.

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––– Comments

Arthur Veilleux, PT

Commented • October 28, 2018

Isn't it all predetermined anyway? We can say with some certainty now that free will is an illusion which we conveniently believe because it improves the survival of the species. Evolutionary fitness. But free will doesn't exist in any objective way. And if no free will, no will power. Grit, on the other hand, can be coaxed out of individuals through various experiences. Like physical therapy.

Tony Varela

Commented • September 9, 2018

Hello Derek, Thank you for the kind words and your thoughtful response. There are several layers to your response. The first layer is the terminology. There are many words the can be used in the place of ‘grit.’ Further, the primary words as you alluded to include will-power, determination, resilience, self-efficacy, and grit. These words are distinct yet have overlapping expressions. The term ‘grit’ though specifically requires a goal or outcome that makes both our struggles and passions tangible. A deeper layer in your response is the implication of reality. Our own perceptions of reality differ enough to conclude the presence of multiple realities. Yet, together we see the bigger picture. The implication considered too in reflection of reality is that certain limits exist within us all as a part of reality. Perhaps there are certain absolutes, like gravity; however, the emphasis now is that we consciously limit and discredit our potential and our capabilities. There is no question that our potential exponentially expands given the right purpose and passion. The underlying layer to it all, as you suggest, is self-actualization. Well said! Here in lies the struggle. In many ways, this implies an understanding of a different reality than the one we have chosen to accept, though one that is healthier, happier, and purposeful. This is the key target for us all, and more particularly for those patients with chronic pain whom we serve. I would like to conclude by emphasizing that our struggle offers us the potential for our evolution.

happythanksgivingimagesfree2018.com

Commented • September 6, 2018

It's hard to find well-informed people about this topic, but you sound like you know what you're talking about! Thanks

Derek Aitken

Commented • September 5, 2018

Tony, Thank you for this thought provoking post. The concept of "grit" is a difficult one to embody let alone define. Frequently I find people try to "will power" through their struggles leading to a sort of ignorance only further propagating their strife. To them, will power and grit are equivocal. And to me, a novice with these concepts, they look immensely similar as well. Yet I see the fault with will power - willfully unwilling to accept the reality of the situation. This, however, will serve a person well in life to propel them toward achievement in many circumstances. Though this person may not reach a high level of self-actualization, are we to fault them because they never were willing to accept the "reality" of their situations? Will knowing oneself bring the level of liberation or solace we are hoping? While I do not have fantastic answers to these questions, I do have some anecdotal truth. In my patients' greatest triumphs, I see this slant - that it is less about the physical improvements and more about walking the path of self-discovery. And in that right we truly are in a marvelous profession.


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