Post by Santosh Puthran on Oct 22, 2005 22:23:00 GMT
The Top 10 Ways to Avoid Being the ‘Early Worm’ in a World of Birds
** The Top 10 Ways to Avoid Being the ‘Early Worm’ in a World of Birds **
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In our world today, we seem to measure the quality and efficiency of many things by their speed. Computers,microwave ovens, one-hour photo processing, and pain relievers that promise fast, fast relief. We eat fast food. We opt for the 5-minute news digest. We’ve even changed the spelling of the word quick to kwik - apparently to spell it faster.
Slow is often associated with old, outdated, or aggravating (remember the last time you found yourself behind someone actually driving the speed limit in the left lane?) It seems the only time many of us stop to smell the roses is when we light up the aromatherapy candle we rushed to the mall to buy to help combat our stress.
How then can we stem the ever-quickening pace of our busy lives while still maintaining a healthy balance between where we want to be in life and how fast we are trying to get there? Here are ten things to consider. WARNING:
These may take a little time to ponder.
1. Slow down by using the accelerator.
You can still make forward progress towards you goals - just quit pushing so hard.
2. Decide what is truly important.
Reassess your goals. Don’t spend a lifetime working hard and fast for something that won’t bring lasting satisfaction.
3. Don’t be too rigid.
There’s a proverb that says Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape. Lighten up.
4. Take a nap at your lunch break.
15 minutes of shut eye will make a huge difference in how you feel the rest of the day.
5. Be late on purpose.
Did the world come to an end? You get the point.
6. Adopt a One shot - One kill mentality.
Many times, we use a shotgun approach to accomplishing things - cover a wide area with pellets and hope we get lucky and hit something. Try being more precise and focused in your approach. Be a sharpshooter.
7. Focus on the process and not just on the results.
Many of life’s most profound lessons are missed when we don’t take note of how we got from here to there - especially when we’ve had to take a few detours along the way. Our inattentiveness often results in repeated mistakes, which take more time to correct.
8. Take some time every day to contemplate life.
Pray. Meditate. Think. This alone helps reduce stress, and people who are less stressed are more productive.
9. Regard life as a marathon - not a sprint.
I have heard people say, I’d rather burn out than rust out. Doesn’t really matter does it? After all, either way, you’re out.
10. Give yourself some space.
If a solution is not immediately apparent, walk away from the problem and come back later. This will often give you a new perspective which, in turn, will open up new possibilities.
** The Top 10 Ways to Avoid Being the ‘Early Worm’ in a World of Birds **
----------------------------------------------------
In our world today, we seem to measure the quality and efficiency of many things by their speed. Computers,microwave ovens, one-hour photo processing, and pain relievers that promise fast, fast relief. We eat fast food. We opt for the 5-minute news digest. We’ve even changed the spelling of the word quick to kwik - apparently to spell it faster.
Slow is often associated with old, outdated, or aggravating (remember the last time you found yourself behind someone actually driving the speed limit in the left lane?) It seems the only time many of us stop to smell the roses is when we light up the aromatherapy candle we rushed to the mall to buy to help combat our stress.
How then can we stem the ever-quickening pace of our busy lives while still maintaining a healthy balance between where we want to be in life and how fast we are trying to get there? Here are ten things to consider. WARNING:
These may take a little time to ponder.
1. Slow down by using the accelerator.
You can still make forward progress towards you goals - just quit pushing so hard.
2. Decide what is truly important.
Reassess your goals. Don’t spend a lifetime working hard and fast for something that won’t bring lasting satisfaction.
3. Don’t be too rigid.
There’s a proverb that says Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape. Lighten up.
4. Take a nap at your lunch break.
15 minutes of shut eye will make a huge difference in how you feel the rest of the day.
5. Be late on purpose.
Did the world come to an end? You get the point.
6. Adopt a One shot - One kill mentality.
Many times, we use a shotgun approach to accomplishing things - cover a wide area with pellets and hope we get lucky and hit something. Try being more precise and focused in your approach. Be a sharpshooter.
7. Focus on the process and not just on the results.
Many of life’s most profound lessons are missed when we don’t take note of how we got from here to there - especially when we’ve had to take a few detours along the way. Our inattentiveness often results in repeated mistakes, which take more time to correct.
8. Take some time every day to contemplate life.
Pray. Meditate. Think. This alone helps reduce stress, and people who are less stressed are more productive.
9. Regard life as a marathon - not a sprint.
I have heard people say, I’d rather burn out than rust out. Doesn’t really matter does it? After all, either way, you’re out.
10. Give yourself some space.
If a solution is not immediately apparent, walk away from the problem and come back later. This will often give you a new perspective which, in turn, will open up new possibilities.
