The word “flow” can conjure up a multitude of meanings when it comes to spa. Most spa operators think it refers to the process by which spa guests travel through their experience within your architectural space. Flow might also refer to how the back-of-house staff maintains operational cohesion without interrupting the guest's journey. If you are a massage therapist, flow is one of the most important aspects of massage technique. There have been TED talks on the topic and psychological studies on the term, but ultimately, flow is defined as the mental state of operation in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of focused energy. Imagine having the ability to enjoy the process of an activity with a focused mind?

If you are actively seeking new employment or looking to fill a key role in your organization, perhaps start with the idea of flow. As a candidate, place yourself in a positive space, forgetting your frustrations about your current role by focusing on your dream job. Ask yourself, “How much do I need to earn to continue my lifestyle, and how will moving into a new position ultimately affect my long-term career objectives?” Creating an intention is the first step to creating your flow.

Employers looking to hire candidates often seek people who are the “right fit” for their flow. The right fit assures stability in the team, enhancing a company’s culture of shared vision and values and maintaining that feeling of positive focused energy we all find in flow. Here are a few tips to setting your chi to help with employment flow:

1. Make sure your résumé highlights your professional experience. Focus on what you have learned in each of the roles in your work history, and when speaking to potential employers, highlight how you applied those acquired techniques. If you are an employer, make sure the résumé highlights the key attributes you are seeking in a candidate.

2. Follow your instincts, and trust your initial gut reactions when speaking to people or when listening to the person you might be working with in the future. Gut reactions might indicate a block in your own energy or theirs as it relates to flow and are clear indicators that if something or someone doesn’t feel right, then a barrier to flow might exist.

3. Blend your professional knowledge with sharing appropriate personal tidbits about yourself. Opening up with small conversation can ease anxiety and allow interpersonal communication to flow.

4. Practice, practice, practice. If your interview is via screen sharing, then practice the day before using that method with family or friends. Tai Chi masters often say that mastery of the meditation in motion comes from practice.

Think hard the next time you hear the expression “go with the flow,” and focus your energy on your future.