When we get to the point in life when we have peace of mind and can be alone, relax, and enjoy the tranquility instead of rushing to find the noise, we will have taken a significant step towards accomplishing more.
When was the last time you were ending your day and thought to yourself, "I didn't accomplish anything today?" I have had the same thought. And, if I am incredibly honest, there are days this has been the case, days I didn't accomplish anything. I was totally unproductive and didn't get any goals accomplished. However, there are days when rest is necessary and beneficial.
If you look back over this past year and think you didn't get as much accomplished as you should have, I have good news and bad news. The good news is, if you make some small adjustments to your daily routines, you will see a change, almost immediately. The bad news is if you continue doing what you are doing, there will be no change and you will continue living in frustration.
As Americans, we live busy, sometimes hectic, lives. There's always noise: music, traffic, voices, you name it, it's there. We have headphones for the commute, headphones for working out, headphones on our kids when we are together. What we need is more tranquility, quiet time, silence. When we get to the point in life when we have peace of mind and can be alone, relax, and enjoy the tranquility instead of rushing to find the noise, we will have taken a significant step towards accomplishing more.
I am not suggesting we block out hours at a time. You are busy, I am busy, I get that. What I am suggesting is this: if we take a few minutes a day to get alone in quietness, we will find clarity of mind and peace. We will be better prepared to address the day ahead, or the remainder of the day, depending on the timing. After being around a crowd of people, I find it necessary to retreat to a quiet place to recharge.
Here are a few things you can do, in addition to the tips above, to begin experiencing a more productive, and in turn, a more fulfilling life:
Have a morning routine: It sounds simple, but, it is powerful. Having an unhealthy morning routine leads to sick days, which result in unhealthy lives. Beginning our days with a solid, healthy routine not only serves to get us off on the right foot for the day, but it builds confidence and good habits as well.
Have a nighttime routine: "What did I accomplish today? What did I fail to achieve today? What could I have done differently?" These are a few questions I ask myself most evenings as I wind down. Commit to giving yourself a few minutes each night and reflecting on your day. Maybe the only few minutes you have are when you lie in bed before falling to sleep. If this is the case, do it. Whatever you have to do, end your day with positive reflection as it will help create a more positive thinking pattern.
Plan Ahead: Plans don't always go as according to plan. They often are very dynamic and require real-time adjustments. Please remember this as you plan your days. For example, if your day looks something like this: Get up, get dressed, get kids dressed, eat breakfast, take kids to school, go to work, have lunch, get kids, go home, have dinner, get kids baths, you see where I am going? Not all plans are equal, and plans are not one-size fits all. Find a routine that works for you, but, try to plan ahead, leaving room for margin (you know, the last minute lunch meeting, school event/project, etc.) If you are self-employed, having a planned day will lead to a more productive day. I have experimented with this numerous times and can attest the effectiveness of having a written plan.
Every year millions of people write down resolutions for their lives in the new year. They promise to lose weight, get healthy, start a business, write a book, mend relationships, break bad habits, just to name a few. Every year millions of people find themselves abandoning those resolutions weeks into the new year. If you want to experience substantial success in your life, begin with writing down your goals. Be specific as possible. Be clear. Then, write down why this is important to you and what the consequences will be if you fail to meet those goals.
When we begin living beyond the flow of just existing, we experience life at a more meaningful and deeper level. We start to live in harmony with ourselves and others because we become more intentional with our actions. Take time to enjoy your life!
If you enjoyed this article, check out my new book "Inspired to Serve", scheduled for in January 2017. This article is a small sample of what you can expect to receive.