How often do you feel out of control, overwhelmed with all that has to be accomplished to pursue your career? And that is only part of the equation - you still have to do well at school and at your job so you can pay the bills, and have time for loved ones and friends. What get’s short changed? Probably each of these items get’s a turn at this. Want some tools to help you take your power back – help you manage your time better - be more productive at each activity and feel like you are in control? It can be done, but first you have to actually practice using these tools on purpose so they become the habit. And you already know that practice makes permanent so it’s your choice, it’s up to you to make this happen or not. You have to not only talk the talk but walk the walk.
Let’s get started.
First I want to introduce to you a phrase I have learned to apply to my activities every day. It is from Eckart Tolle's book “The Power of Now”. It’s a very simple, a very powerful statement of how to deal with each moment of time. He says, “Offer no resistance to what is, take action or not, and don’t become attached to the outcome.” So that means take the time to look at every situation, or task for exactly what it is, just the facts. It’s not personal or emotional, just a collection of facts. That allows you to understand if it’s necessary take action or not. Once that is done, don’t just jump into your mind already planning how it’s all going to work out. There is no presupposing where a conversation is going or what your action might trigger. You simply intently listen to the other person as they speak, or wait until you can once again look at situation or task for exactly what it is and do this over and over again. It sounds easy, doesn’t it? It takes mindfulness and practice. And when you start applying and using this simple sentence over and over again during your day, you will find you automatically stay calmer and get more done because you didn’t get caught up in your emotions or make it personal and have that negatively color the rest of your day and its activities.
"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." — Christina Baldwin
Have you ever noticed that most times, when you move from one activity, event, or task to the next one, you often tend to drag all the information and your thoughts from the prior activity and mix it together with your second activity? Then that jumble of information and those thoughts get dragged into the next project and this goes on infinite throughout your day leaving you exhausted and frustrated because it seems you haven’t made any progress. Here is the process I would LOVE for you to consider practicing each and every time you are about to move from one new task, situation, project or activity to another. Again, it’s simple and only takes a few seconds to achieve. You have to use your imagination and your senses of seeing, listening, feeling, tasting and smelling when using this process. Make it real.
When you are ready to leave one task, or situation, close the eyes and in the imagination, see, hear and feel a door in front of you. As you reach out to place the hand on the doorknob, notice that all thoughts and feelings connected to this particular task or situation are now all physically behind you in the room. When you are ready, open the door and step into a long hallway, hear the door close behind you. Stand there. Taste the air. Smell the sweet freshness of the hallway. The hallway, in which you find yourself, is a very long, quiet, peaceful, light filled, fresh and safe place. Rest here for a few seconds to enjoy the refreshing quiet. Enjoy and notice how free and serene the space is. Notice that there is another door just a few feet in front of you. When you are ready to move on to the next task, or activity feel yourself put the hand on the doorknob in front of you. Hear the door open and step into the next space. Hear and feel the door close behind you. Now you are ready and equipped to handle whatever comes next. Open the eyes. You will truly feel refreshed and revitalized ready to focus on only the task at hand.
As you go through your day, apply the technique - the process, every time you change each task, or situation Notice that there is another door just a few feet in front of you. Again, practice makes permanent, so if you are intending to add this to your repertoire, do it all the way or not at all. The results will astound you. You will find you have more energy throughout the day and in the evening. Apply this as well when interacting socially.
And lastly, one of my favorite quotes is, “What you think of me, is none of MY business!” Try thinking this every time you get caught up in worrying about what someone else might think of you or what you are doing. And if you feel your power drifting off, the remedy for getting it back is to simply notice you have given it to someone or something else.
"We must become the change we want to see." — Mahatma Gandhi
Getting good at using these tools until they become the habit takes time, energy and commitment. But then, so does anything really worth doing. It’s sort of like learning the technique of singing, then learning the technique of drama. So give it a whirl and let me hear from you. I love knowing about your experiences with my suggestions.
Happy 2014. Make it a year to take back your power as you continue to grow into your authentic and unique self. And do it on purpose. Avanti! Ciao until next time. And I want to know what’s on your mind. Carol
