Archive for quiet
Plan for Who You Are
Posted by: | CommentsAfter being out three evenings in a row, I told my daughter I was ready to just veg at home for the next few days because as an introvert all that interaction wears me out. She said, "But, you can’t be an introvert. You love people and you talk to them." I had to explain that introversion and extroversion is more about how you get your energy. Not how social you are. Introverts get their energy from alone time and extroverts perk up surrounded by people.
I had to lend her the book I had just finished reading called Quiet, by Susan Cain.
After reading this book, I knew even better how to create a life that matches me and my introverted roots. I was reminded not to plan 3 evenings in a row of social activity or three weekends in a row of visiting friends and family. And that it’s o.k. to have a long quiet time in the morning that doesn’t seem all that productive. I don’t need to go to big networking events. I can network online and in small groups. Or even better one on one. I don’t have to feel badly that I put space between my coaching calls, when the experts say you should do them one after the other.
And if you are an extrovert, make sure you get plenty of outside stimulation. If you work from home, you may want to work at a coffee shop. It’s alright to have daily phone calls with your friends. We don’t have to apologize for being who we are.
Introversion and extroversion are just part of the puzzle. Where else to you get energy? What else lights up your life? Being outside? Reading? Trying new things? Napping? Music?
Plan your life so you can get more of what brings this energy to you. What can you plan in the next couple of days that helps you be who you are?
Ssh, Quiet
Posted by: | Comments
Stop what you are doing and listen around you. Is the TV on with no one watching it? Or maybe you are listening to a podcast while you read some blogs?
Does your desk mate have their music on too loud?
Or maybe you hear the whirl of a zillion technologies grooving?
For many people, the first thing they do when they come home is turn on the TV for background noise. When they get into their car it’s time to check the mirrors, check the gas, and turn on the tunes.
Moms with young kids know it’s tough to get any time with quiet.
But, all the extra noise rattles the body, mind and soul. And you can’t hear yourself think.
Wouldn’t you like a little quiet? The quietest time is early morning if you can get up before the family. But since that isn’t always possible, here are some other ideas:
- Can you have a closed door policy for an hour a week either at home or at work, so you get some quiet, thinking, creative time?
- How about not turning on the car radio one day? If no one is in the car, it can be the only quiet time you have all day.
- Take a deep breath between tasks. Don’t just rush from task to task. Center yourself. Check to see if you need to do a quick attitude adjustment.
- Get out into nature often. I love taking a walk in the woods. The soothing stream, call of birds, and rustling leaves is relaxing and renewing.
- Sit under a tree, in a hammock or in your rocking chair. And don’t hop up to do something else.
- Turn off the TV, music and clothes washer for a little bit. Instead of TV, you can look at photo albums, watch the backyard squirrels, or scan the stars.
- Find solace in the bathtub.
- Do something quiet as a family like reading or doing a craft. They need quiet time, too. In our house we try to have all the electronics off at least 30 minutes before bed.
- Listen to your thoughts in a journal. My daughter was hyped up after a fun Halloween with friends. She said, "I am so tired, but my mind won’t sleep!" So she got our her journal and began to write. And was able to settle down.
- Go fishing. I’m not a fan, but I loved seeing my son, husband, cousin and their son quietly sitting side by side fishing.
- Tea time. Quit your work for a few minutes each afternoon and enjoy some tea and cookies or whatever treat you like.
What is your favorite way to have quiet in your day?
