So often in this world we call business, we go so fast we lose our ability to keep up when, in fact, keeping up is impossible. Simply put, if you're caught up, you're out of business. To get back in control, you have to stop and listen.
We are taught to listen to everyone else, that listening is a great asset. However, we are never taught to listen to ourselves. Creativity dies in the face of too much noise. Without creativity everything in your life suffers, including your business. Sometimes, the most important person to listen to is you. Yes, you have something to say but if you never stop to listen, you won't ever get back to control your life again.
So here's how you can put yourself back in the driver's seat:
Dump your feelings in a journal
"Keeping a journal of what's going on in your life is a good way to distill what's important and what's not"~ Martina Navratilova
Start the day by emptying your emotions in a journal. Let all the emotional garbage out on paper. Now, don't read it. Too hard to do? Rip it up and throw it away. This is just a tool to get the frustrations processed and out of your life so you can move on. So you can hear yourself think again. Sometimes our lives get filled up with everyone else's chatter. This helps us empty that out.
Relax for a while
"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it"~ Sydney J Harris
Take 15 minutes out of the middle of your day and rest. Just stop everything. Go to a room and take the phone off. Find a place where you won't be bothered and stop. Take ten deep breaths. Let your mind empty. Try to spend at least five minutes of the fifteen minutes thinking nothing. Don't laugh, it's really hard to do. Think of nothing. Empty your brain and give your soul a rest.
Walk
"All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking"~ Friedrich Neitzsche
Walking doesn't just exercise your body, it relaxes your mind. Walk with a friend or walk alone, but walk. This isn't about exercise, it's about letting your mind breathe, outside, in the rain, in the sun, in the snow, in the fresh air. It works! Many great leaders like Steve Jobs loved to walk and they believed that walking would reduce their stress, so what are you waiting for?
Kill the bad advice
"Everyone wants to tell you what to do and what is good for you. They don't want you to find your own answers, they want you to believe theirs"~ Socrates
At the end of the day, spend another 15 minutes writing down all the advice that was given to you that day. All those noteworthy, seemingly wise bits of advice that gets dumped on you everyday. It doesn't matter where it comes from, a book, a phone call, a radio channel or any other means. If you can remember write it down. Now read them aloud. Do any of them feel adverse to your own feelings and thoughts? Great! Cross them and do not think about them again. Learn to trust some things will work for you and some won't.
Remember you're important too and you are the only person that lives the results and consequences of your own life. Be gentle with yourself and take the time. Suddenly you will reach your normal speed, life will feel worth the effort, and your goals will be realised again.
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Previous posts :
5 ways to stay focused on your goals
Life lessons from Steve Jobs
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