Over the past several years I have had some success in a variety of endeavors – both personal and professional.
However, I have struggled to follow through with a very simple habit – meditation.
I have purchased different CD’s and read books on the topic, but have yet to figure out how to make it work.
Until this year.
For whatever reason, during the first 2 months of 2010, I have been able to set aside 10-15 minutes a day, 3-4 days per week to meditate.
Before you get too impressed, this “meditation” involves nothing more than closing my eyes and listening to the “Calm Meditation” station on Pandora in my office. It’s not like I climb to the top of a mountain and burn incense.
But, for 10 – 15 minutes I am without email, phone, staff or clients.
More importantly, this is a short period of time each day where I am allowing myself to accomplish nothing at all.
I will admit that I am only able to go a minute or two without drifting back into a work issue. However, this minute or two is a huge accomplishment for a person who feels the need to fill every waking moment with a valuable task.
Here’s why meditation – the quieting of the mind – is important to me.
I have noticed that I am the best coach, salesman, speaker, leader, friend, father and husband when I am able to slow down my thoughts and concentrate intensely on the subject at hand.
I realize that this type of concentration doesn’t come naturally to me at all. As a result, I am attempting to train my brain to be quiet for just a few moments each day to help me develop this skill.
The most interesting thing about this journey is that I actually find myself looking forward to this exercise each day.
Maybe it’s true that sometimes best way to speed up is to first slow down.
CJ McClanahan
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Tags: discipline, Habits