“If you are always racing to the next moment, what happens to the one you are in?”
Nanette Mathews
What happens when we spend all of our time thinking about and planning the future?
It can mean that what’s happening right now passes us by because we’re so focused on what’s not even happened yet. We can’t control the future – anything can happen, and we can’t plan for every eventuality.
Instead, we should focus on the present. It’s much more effective because we have the power to change what’s happening now.
If we accept that, when faced with a challenge we have all the tools we need to deal with it, then we can stop worrying about what might happen (and probably won’t).
Slow down
In order to speed up and be more efficient and productive, we need to slow down first.
I know what you’re thinking: “There simply isn’t time to slow down. I have way too much to do.”
But are all the “things” you need to do really important? Are they aligned with what you want to achieve – now, tomorrow, and in the future?
It’s easy to get distracted because we live in a world full of distractions.
Are you ready for some shocking statistics?
- 45% of the world’s population use social media, spending an average of 2 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media
- The average person checks their phone 150 times per day
- We typically spend just 75 seconds on a task before we’re interrupted
- Did you know that it takes more than 25 minutes to resume a task after an interruption?
Are you multi-tasking?
According to statistics, only 2% of the population can really multi-task, the rest of us (98%) are just switching between lots of little jobs in short succession.
By increasing our stress levels through multi-tasking, we temporarily lose 10 IQ points!
It might sound weird, but in order to speed up, we need to STOP!
It’s an acronym – if you find that things are going too fast, the stress is mounting and you’re about to snap:
- S – first, stop
- T – take a breath. When you’re stressed, your body craves oxygen. Taking a breath gives us a moment to shift away from sabotaging ourselves into the Sage part of our brain, where we can think more clearly and creatively
- O – observe. Pay attention to your body and how it’s feeling. Get inside your body and breathe
- P – pose a question before you proceed
Personal story
I grew up believing that “If you need anything doing, give it to a busy person”.
I’m a do-er. I like to get things done. I’m organised. I get a kick out of taking a process and making it better; more time efficient; smoother… Doing this has identified some great natural qualities in myself like organisation, efficiency and problem solving.
Over the course of my life, I’ve relied on these qualities to push me further in order to achieve. But it’s only been in the last year that I’ve realised the harm I was causing myself with this behaviour.
Never stopping is exhausting. It means I’m always planning the next thing and working out how it can be better next time. It’s stressful. But more importantly, it stops me from appreciating the beauty of the moment.
I’ve now learnt to lean on my qualities and to trust myself a little more. I now believe in myself to know that what needs to be done will get done. Because it always has. I can now pause, take a step back and appreciate the moment. This pause allows me to connect with how good things really are right now.
Now is the only moment that has certainty. Happiness lives in the moment. Unhappiness lives in the past. Anything can happen in the future.
So when I took just 5 minutes out last spring to sit on the garden bench with a cup of tea in my hand, I noticed the sun shining on my face. I saw all the beautiful colours in the spring flowers. I smelt how fresh the air was. I heard the birds singing, the plane overhead. I took it all in and realised how beautiful this world is.
And it makes me think… what if everyone appreciated what’s there in this moment for the miracle that it is? I’m certain great things would start to happen.
Book of the month
The Values Compass
Any book endorsed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama or Deepak Chopra, has to be one to add to my reading list, especially when it comes to fulfilling our purpose in life.
Identifying, articulating and then living our life in alignment with our values is one of the most impactful things we can do – not just for ourselves, but for our loved ones, our community and society as a whole.
Great work @mandeep
Mindfulness tip
To be consistent with the theme of this month’s newsletter, my mindfulness tip is to use the S.T.O.P tool when you feel you’re going too fast.
Even if you start by working on the ‘S’ for stop (or as I prefer to say, pause), the gift of a pause is enormous. It really can make the difference between being stressed and enjoying a moment. So, pause and take a few deep breaths. Then ask yourself if what you’re going to do is in alignment with your values. If it is, do it. If it isn’t… then I don’t need to tell you what to do!
In case you missed it:
If you are feeling overwhelmed and struggling to balance your work and personal life? Check out my first article for Brainz magazine: “Finding Harmony – 5 Tips For Achieving A Balanced Life“. The article provides practical tips on how to achieve a better work-life balance and improve your overall wellbeing.
Are you still battling it out between your head and your heart on what to do next? If so, take my FREE 5-day What’s Next Challenge. For more information and to get started click here.
I’m excited to share that on 3rd April I will be running a lunchtime zoom call for all female entrepreneurs that feel that there just isn’t enough time in the day to get “it” all done. Come along and find out the latest ways to “Slow Down to Speed Up Without Dropping the Ball”. For more information: [add link to LI event page}
Did you see that I am now involved in the Women’s Inspire Network. You can follow the LinkedIn Group here.
And on 12th April we are holding an incredible “She Means Business” day long virtual conference. We have an incredible speaker line up and will be providing the latest, and greatest support and guidance on how to make a difference in your business. For more information and to purchase a ticket click here.
Powerful Conversions with these Powerful Women – these conversations are great fun and not to be missed. Over the last 4 weeks I’ve had these amazing conversations:
Kresse Wesling – rewatch here
Stephanie McCann -rewatch here
Jennifer Cox – rewatch here
And not to be missed in the coming weeks:
More powerful conversations with these amazing ladies: Jacqueline Cripps, Lali Makhalima, and Sophie Benge