Busy Doing Nothing
I can always recommend the benefit of doing nothing, just to give you a few moments every now and then to let go. We don't do enough of it. We're always so busy rushing round, trying to get everything done, feeling that we don't have a minute to ourselves.
Yes, I know I spend most of the time encouraging you to take action. Cajoling you to take just one step at a time but this week I want you to do absolutely nothing. Yep, rien, nichts, nada, nothing. Don't panic, I'm not expecting you to do nothing for the whole week, just take some time out – each day if you can, to do nothing.
Some people take time each day to meditate. If you're already familiar with meditation techniques then perhaps you do this. If not, try it. Set aside a few minutes when you can totally switch off from everything. Switch off the phone if you think you might be interrupted. The easiest way to mediate for a few minutes is to focus on your breath.
Sit comfortably in either a cross-legged position on the floor or on a chair with both feet flat on the floor. Sit upright.
Close your eyes and focus gently on your body as it is supported by the floor or the chair. Breathe slowly and deeply for a few breaths using your whole chest and abdomen. Do you feel any tension, points of stress, aches and pains? Breathe into those parts of the body and relax them.
Breathe normally, becoming aware of your breath as it enters and leaves your body. If you find your mind wandering off, which it will, bring it gently back to your breathing. Sit like this for a minimum of five minutes longer if you can, building up to between 15-30 minutes at a time.
Another way you can do this is to just to sit quietly for a few minutes wherever you happen to be - in your office, in the car (stationary of course), on the bus, train or out in the park or your garden. Stop whatever you're doing and focus on your breathing as before. Take a few deep breaths first. Become aware of your body and the sounds, smells, sights and feeling of the environment around you. Again a few minutes will be enough to relax and refresh you.
Don't feel guilty about it either. While it's harder to stop the mind firing off in different directions - sometimes that can have it's own benefit as new ideas and solutions pop up. It's worth making time to 'do nothing'.
If you're not used to doing this, it will seem strange at first but stick with it and you'll start to enjoy and look forward to your quiet time.
Try it.
Yes, I know I spend most of the time encouraging you to take action. Cajoling you to take just one step at a time but this week I want you to do absolutely nothing. Yep, rien, nichts, nada, nothing. Don't panic, I'm not expecting you to do nothing for the whole week, just take some time out – each day if you can, to do nothing.
Some people take time each day to meditate. If you're already familiar with meditation techniques then perhaps you do this. If not, try it. Set aside a few minutes when you can totally switch off from everything. Switch off the phone if you think you might be interrupted. The easiest way to mediate for a few minutes is to focus on your breath.
Sit comfortably in either a cross-legged position on the floor or on a chair with both feet flat on the floor. Sit upright.
Close your eyes and focus gently on your body as it is supported by the floor or the chair. Breathe slowly and deeply for a few breaths using your whole chest and abdomen. Do you feel any tension, points of stress, aches and pains? Breathe into those parts of the body and relax them.
Breathe normally, becoming aware of your breath as it enters and leaves your body. If you find your mind wandering off, which it will, bring it gently back to your breathing. Sit like this for a minimum of five minutes longer if you can, building up to between 15-30 minutes at a time.
Another way you can do this is to just to sit quietly for a few minutes wherever you happen to be - in your office, in the car (stationary of course), on the bus, train or out in the park or your garden. Stop whatever you're doing and focus on your breathing as before. Take a few deep breaths first. Become aware of your body and the sounds, smells, sights and feeling of the environment around you. Again a few minutes will be enough to relax and refresh you.
Don't feel guilty about it either. While it's harder to stop the mind firing off in different directions - sometimes that can have it's own benefit as new ideas and solutions pop up. It's worth making time to 'do nothing'.
If you're not used to doing this, it will seem strange at first but stick with it and you'll start to enjoy and look forward to your quiet time.
Try it.
Labels: work life balance
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