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Moments of Rest



I am slowly learning to be intentional on building in times of rest throughout my day. Not minutes of "doing nothing" but times to refuel and reflect.

Recently, I began a morning routine that is not "work" but rest that includes yoga and devotion time. I am trying to stop looking at social media in the mornings in order to quiet my mind and energize my soul. At the end of the day, when my daughter wants me to play, I am trying to be entirely present, both physically and mentally. I try my best to take a walk each day at work, in order to allow my eyes and mind to refresh. It's amazing how these moments of rest have rejuvenated me. I no longer feel as though I don't have time to myself or am desperate for a vacation far, far away.

This morning, I read a blog post about "white space" that encourages turning off technology, being silent, and just being and thinking. This is a time that grows creativity, innovation, inventiveness and problem-solving.

Juliet Funt suggested the following ways to create white space in your daily routine, just seconds at a time:

  • 5 minutes of quiet reflection after a meeting to consider what was discussed
  • Turning off the radio on your commute home to ask yourself meaningful questions
  • A one-minute pause when a situation angers you to understand and control your response
  • A 15-minute walk around the block with your phone turned off
  • 90 seconds of quiet ahead of a conference call to think deeply about the needs and challenges of the person you’re about to speak with

One of the ways ICF prompts coaches to create a coaching presence is to adjust and calm your mind before a session through breathing exercises. One thing I have found, is that I have a very difficult time dropping one activity to begin another. My mind often stays focused for a time on what I was doing previously, so the idea of 90 seconds of quiet ahead of a meeting would be a transition time for me that is absolutely essential. Just 90 seconds can increase productivity and make the conversation more effective and authentic. 

Turning off technology is very difficult for me (I know I'm not the only one). I heard that the constant need to check your phone or the absolute panic that bubbles up when you forgot your phone is a form of addiction. Pretty safe to say that our world is now dependent on technology, and beyond that, addicted to it. How many times have you heard in nostalgic tones that life used to be slower, easier? This interconnectedness may actually be creating a sense of discontent and separation from people and the present activity around us. 

Intentionally creating times of rest from technology, times to think, reflect, and focus is essential in order to step outside of the torrent flow of "doing". It may be a process of baby steps or just seconds designated throughout the day. It takes concerted effort to rest! This is almost sad to admit. But these seconds can produce minutes and hours of valuable outcomes. The mind is less jumbled, the body less tense and the heart more open. It will be displayed in the work performed and in relationships, at home and in the office.

So I ask you to think quietly, even now. Where can you squeeze in moments, pauses, seconds to think and reflect, and what do you think would happen when you did?







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