I’m about to let you in on a little secret. Would you like that?

Do you want to increase your productivity at work? How about reduce your stress at home? If you answered yes to both of these questions, the answer is easy. Learn how to do “nothing” for 10 to 15 minutes a day.

Yes, that’s right…do nothing!!! I say “do nothing” a bit facetiously of course.

Mindful Meditation

Meditation is for Hippies. I don’t have time to sit and “do nothing”. I just don’t have the time… What if people found out that I meditate? These are common reasons why people avoid meditation. Why is it that something that has been proven to work, studies showing positive results, still has a negative connotation?

Is it a direct result of our go, go, go culture? Let’s compare American culture vs. European culture when it comes to work. In America most people work longer hours during the week AND work on the weekend if they didn’t get everything done during the workweek, as they do in Asia. Workers are conditioned to work harder and take less vacation days. It’s no wonder why people feel so overwhelmed when Monday rolls around.

In Europe it used to be the opposite. People liked going to work but they also knew when to turn it off. In some countries, businesses close(d) for a couple of hours during the day to make time for rest and/or for people to go home for a main meal. This would never happen in the U.S. This trend is turning though. More and more, Europeans are working longer hours and adopting the American model of long hours on the job. In Asia, more people are following the European pattern of “closing shop” at 6pm but are not going home for lunch though.

I’m not here to tell you to work less. I’m here to tell you to work smart. I work with my clients on how to turn off the outside world that can lead to stress, depression and anxiety. Your deadlines are not going away but how you deal with them can dramatically change. You can learn to clear or “turn off” your mind at any age. Take these schools in San Francisco for example. Middle school and high school age kids are learning how to deal with their stresses during the middle of the school day. The results speak for themselves.

Facebook Time

How long do we spend on Facebook? 30 minutes? An hour? I know that sometimes I lose track of time when I’m surfing Facebook. Take 15 minutes out of your Facebook time to do some Mindful Meditation. Close your eyes and focus on clearing your mind by concentrating on your breathing. Do not think about deadlines or what you’re going to have for dinner. Focus on breathing (= “nothing”). See what happens if you do this regularly. I know your life will change! And your health will improve. Your performance at work will improve and your relationships will too.

I’m telling you…”Nothing” will lead to Something BIG if you just do it.

Here is to your success!

Jacqueline Muller