The Symptoms. You just returned from vacation and there is SO much work to do so you immediately re-engage your good 'ole multi-tasking behavior and your vacation is a dim memory 2 days later. *** You spent and extra 30 minutes with your 5-yeard-old before leaving for work and now you feel you are behind and will be trying to catch up all day. *** You decided to help someone in the office or at home with a special project instead of doing a To Do list item so now you are beating yourself up and trying to be Super Hero to still get it all done!
Sound familiar? It happens to me. Learn what this behavior costs you and some tips that have helped me and my clients. See the small steps I recommend below so you can immediately break this cycle and begin a new habit. Learn how to achieve more mindfulness, inner peace, purpose and mission-driven action which results in increased efficiency, better solutions, and JOY.
There is a cost with this habit. It causes stress and dis-ease (yes, mental discomfort and physical symptoms), lack of focus, more mistakes, misplaced items AND lossed, missed opportunities for a better solution, more business, an easier way. This multi-tasking and distracted, pressured way of work is not loving to your soul, to your Self.
I get triggered into Doing Addiction often. I speak from experience with some tips that help me and my clients. See small steps you can do immediately to break this cycle and achieve more mindfulness, purpose and mission-driven action, efficiency, better solutions, and JOY.
The Answer. The answer is counter-intuitive to the part of you that is Doing Addicted. The answer is in moments of Being and present moment mindfulness.
We think we have MAKE things happen. We think it's all up to us and that if we don't act and "do" we won't get to our goals. We actually have a partner in the form of whatever you call the non-physical energy... The Universe or your Higher Power. And we have team members we can ask for help, even if you work alone, as I do!
You've heard the expression Mind/Body/Spirit. Practices that ease the Mind, care for your Body, and nurture your Spirit have been proven to boost your ability to perform and be happier because you choose good-feeling thoughts and actions.
Giving in to the martyrdom and sacrifice of constant over-doing for the sake of (what? pleasing others, obligations, shoulds?) will eventually trigger your body to weaken your immune system or to cause an injury. Your body will experience dis-ease and will do whatever it takes to finally get you to stop. You know that the world will not come to a halt if you are out sick. Wouldn't you rather consciously make choices that help you make better decisions before being laid out on your back by default?
Take one inspired action step and call me in the morning! Choose one small step below to reduce overwhelm, make more mindful decisions, and stay healthy. Delete, delegate or allow others to help with some of your task. How can you hand some of your tasks to your team at work, at home, to The Universe or your Higher Power? NEWS ALERT! It is NOT all up to you. You CANNOT make it happen on your own without the help of other beings and being true to your Self.
Small step practices. Experiment with these sample immediate inspired actions. See what works for you. Add our own. Click Comments below and share your favorite and the impact you observe.
1. What are your top 3 values in life? What is most important to you? Knowing this gives you a filter by which to make decisions and choices about how you spend your precious resources of time, money and energy.
- Download the Values Checklist and find your top 3-5 values. Mine are Love, Connection and Choice (Freedom).
- When you get frenzied, ask yourself if the activity you are engaged in or considering is honoring your values. If it's not realign and choose to restore integrity with your Self first, then with others.
In the midst of frenzied doing, take a Being Break. Yes, that's what I said. STOP. Recalibrate your mind, body and spirit. Take 3-5 minutes and choose one idea from this pick list. At the end of this break, ask yourself, "What do I need right now?" Let that direct what you choose to do next.
- Go for a walk outdoors to connect with the calm wonder and power of nature and let it influence you. Even looking through a window at a tree will work!
- Set a timer for 3-5 minutes and close your office door and eyes. Let go of thoughts as much as you can. Breathe and relax. Listen to a recording of my 12-minute guided meditation.
- Create an audible start and end to your Being Break using a mindfulness bell on this website. The bell will help calm you and tell you when you are finished. http://www.mindfulnessdc.org/bell/index.html
- Go to your nearest sink and rinse or wash your hands. Feel the motion of the water. Consciously cleanse away tension, negativity, pressure and re-center on what's the one most important thing in your life and in your day.
Observe and Choose a New Habit. After your experiment, simply notice or observe the results without judgment. Imagine putting on a white lab coat, grabbing a clipboard and pen, and then observe without judgment how your body feels, the clarity of your thinking, and your 1-10 happy meter.
When you get positive results and calm your mind, body and Spirit, repeat your mindfulness action step again, with purpose! If you can do it once, you can do it twice. If you can do it twice, you can make it a habit.
Do you want help making mindfulness a habit? If you are serious about reducing stress and overwhelm in your work and home, life, let's set up a three or four 30-minute calls to tailor mindfulness haibts to you and create lovingly firm accountability so you DO IT! If there is enough interest, I will start a virtual telephone group! Invite your team, family, friends to join you and they will thank you.
Email Gail to set up time to talk. Click Comments below to report in ... what did you observe as you tried these steps? What worked best for you?
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