Sit
No, not like a dog. Although most animals do know when it’s time to rest. (Particularly my cat, Oscar.) But how many times a day do you actually find time to just sit down and do nothing for a while? Finding time to sit with yourself and just be, can be the best way to prepare yourself to do.
Do you sit down for breakfast in the morning? Or do you eat on the hoof or miss breakfast completely?
Do you sit down and spend some time planning your day? Or do you just dive into your email and do whatever anyone else thinks is urgent?
Do you take a mid-morning break? Or do you work through the whole morning, complaining about the incessant flow of new requests and demands on your time?
Do you ever sit down for lunch, away from your desk? Or munch away at a sandwich over your keyboard?
Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you can possibly do is take a complete rest. — Ashleigh Brilliant
When your day is surrounded by artificial light in artificial places, it’s not surprising if your work feels kinda artificial too. The humble park bench, bathed in sunlight and green with the sound of birds, can feel much more like a symbol of success than the pretentious boardroom chair.
And what happens when you leave work? Does it seem to follow you? Do you bury yourself in your laptop and continue to work even though you’re really too tired to do it?Finally at home, you fall asleep in front of the TV with your phone in your hand.
Sit with this for a minute. Or two.
Sitting still and being with yourself can be meditation. But it doesn’t have to be. It can just be a time to pause and be. And in being, a way to doing in a more sustainable and healthy way.
My app: Breathe Sync helps you breathe yourself better
My book: Do Breathe helps you calm your mind, find focus and get stuff done.
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Agreed. After all, isn't it in the 'no - thing' where the real magic happens Michael? Thanks for reminding us all to do this as it's invaluable. And if people have slightly longer to spare than 2 mins, I'm just writing a piece on how meditative swimming for business trips (or first thing in the morning before work) which can have a similar effect to the above.