How Do You Lose Yourself?

I don’t really have the answer. I don’t have anything brilliant to say, but I do have a question: How do you lose yourself?

Deadline-pressed and ever-connected,  whether executives, entrepreneurs or moms pressed for every second of the day, we can’t possibly quantify the total number of hours worked because we’re always “lost in our jobs.” We’re always “on”–always processing, emailing, thinking, dreaming for things outside ourselves often neglecting the wellspring inside. Eventually, we’re zapped.

Recharging: Battery Dry

How do you pause and get lost in something other than your job?

The sage, Marshall Mathers, says music:

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo

I can remember cutting our lawn when I was a kid, Sony Walkman blaring my ears, and me singing to the top of my lungs (the tune may or may not have been Danger Zone–hey it was 1986). In that moment, I was not cutting the grass, steering a riding mower, or even really singing; I was lost, in the moment. Sounds so very zen.

I like the idea of “getting lost” better than reducing stress, hitting the reset button, or recharging your batteries. Getting lost is a state of mind unlike any particular activity.

So, what say you? Where do you find abandon?

Photo shared via creative commons license via John Ragai. 

Jeremy Floyd

Jeremy Floyd is the President at FUNYL Commerce. Formerly, he was the CEO and President of Lirio, Bluegill Creative, a marketing and communications firm in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to managing the digital strategies, Floyd was an adjunct professor for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga MBA program teaching digital strategies and social media. Floyd blogs at jeremyfloyd.com and tweets under the name @jfloyd. Jeremy is licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from MTSU in English and Philosophy.

  • Most anything you give yourself over to can produce a state of enstresse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustress

  • Jeff Reed

    I am most often lost when reading for pleasure. My favorite book within the past 10 years (and I read about 50/year) is “The Hawk and the Dove Trilogy” by Penelope Wilcock. In her bio on Amazon.com she writes…

    ” it is my intention that when you put down any book of mine at the end of reading it, you will feel hopeful, peaceful and comforted, more ready to look on your fellow human beings with compassion and see their point of view.”

    Penelope’s mission was accomplished with me. I’ve loaned my copy so many times that I no longer know who has it. If the person with my book reads this comment, please “loan” it to someone you truly care about.

  • That’s great Jeff. I enjoy reading, but I’m very pragmatic about it. I’m always trying to get something or to some place. I think you’re right, it is a state of mind.

  • So, what are you saying? Embrace the deadlines?

  • I’m saying that if you’re doing what you’re meant to do, the term “deadline” melts from your vocabulary. You just perform. Tasks arise, and you dispatch them. You deliver when things are needed, and people are happy with your performance. The notion of time becomes secondary to the “asana” of the moment.

    It’s a mindful approach to work. Immerse yourself, and the notion of deadline takes on a different meaning. So, crank up Kenny Loggins and go mow the grass.

  • I have generally agreed with this notion for years. Over the past year, however, I’m curious whether “passionate” work is just another word for justified workaholism.

    I love to work, and I could “work” 12+ hours a day, everyday and truly enjoy it. Yet, I believe there is a strange magic that happens in those off-air moments where you’re lost in “otherness.” Just like you wake up some mornings with the Eureka solution to the problem, getting lost sometimes leads you to the proper path.

    As for the passion perspective, I’ve become dubious. More than just my cynicism, I wonder if we need to carve out “work time” and “leisure time.” The Greeks may have been right, albeit imbalanced.

    Nice dialogue Robert.

  • Kristine Palmer

    This is exactly why I enjoy horseback riding. Horses live “in the moment,” and the minute you sit in the saddle all that matters is their shifting weight and flicking ears. Everything in the “real world” is lost in the moment.

  • Jeremy, I can identify with this, especially pulling double duty working from home and staying at home with my 2 year old son. To get things done, I have to account for every hour and am definitely always “on”. Some days I’m exhilarated, other days exhausted.

    I’m with you — I think there’s a fine line between passionate work and working too much. I’m trying to get better at setting boundaries and taking time for me — I love listening to old records, reading, or running. And I find that some of my best ideas and inspiration come to me in those moments.

    P.S. I read a great article on Medium this week that talks about taking 20% of your time for you: https://medium.com/design-startups/32f17c0d423

  • Jeff Reed

    One of the wisest people I’ve known in my life was a TV anchor, reporter, novelist and serial entrepreneur (before it was cool). He was one of my best friend’s father. His admonition to anyone that would listen was:

    There are 3 things you must do every day.
    1. Do something that NEEDS TO BE DONE.
    2. Do something FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
    3. Do something for YOURSELF.

    This not easy but somewhere in that process we can “lose our self”