Mindfulness: The Catalyst to Change

When we wake up in the morning the level of clarity is at the highest point, we have a clearer picture of how we would like our day to look like, what really matters, and we have not taken in any information to cloud our thinking.

It is a no-brainer why so many people use their first waking hours to get the bulk of the work done that they need to. More clarity equals more concentration which translates to more productivity. The idea that this state of clarity is only achievable in the morning is something that has always challenged me, it made me look into focus techniques, flow state and mindfulness practices. My main takeaway from all of the literature I read and videos I watched is, the important aspect of focus is awareness.

When you lack awareness that is really when you watch your day slip by and “go through the motions”. Let’s do this visualization exercise together, imagine yourself tomorrow doing everything the way you know you want to, enjoying the moments with your friends and family fully present. Everywhere you go, you leave a positive impact because your energy is exhilarating. When you work, you do not need to spend 10 hours leaned over the desk with no break, you instead spent 3 hours with a break every 45 minutes for some fresh air, yet you still got more done in them 3 hours than the 10 hours you usually do.

You spend 8 hours in work a day, 8 hours sleeping, 2 hours travelling to and from places, 2 hours cooking and eating. And the final 4 hours are probably spent on social media or maybe more work.

But through all this time you have spent none of that time with yourself. We spend hours and hours working and never give ourselves time to be with ourselves and wonder why we are unable to concentrate.

This is your mind’s way of getting some time in for you!

When you tell yourself you’re going to give yourself some alone time, does that mean binging a new series on Netflix or locking yourself in your room to do some work without distraction.

Both of these are not alone time.

We are so afraid to spend time with ourselves that we use various distractions like constant entertainment or work to avoid the discomfort of being alone with our thoughts. But it’s in these quiet moments of self-reflection that we cultivate true mindfulness and awareness, which can dramatically improve our overall focus and clarity throughout the day.

So, make it a point to carve out some real alone time, where you’re not doing anything but simply being still and present with your thoughts. It might be uncomfortable at first, but over time, you’ll find that it’s an invaluable tool for maintaining mental clarity and focus in your daily life.

Incorporating this practice into your daily routine won’t be easy, but it’s worth the effort. Start small, with just five minutes a day, and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the silence and solitude. You might be surprised by the insights and revelations that surface during these quiet moments of introspection.

Over time, you may notice a shift in your perspective and attitudes. You may find yourself less reactive and more responsive, less overwhelmed and more in control. You’ll begin to understand the value of your own company, and the noise and chaos of the outside world will become less distracting.

Remember, mindfulness is not about emptying your mind or achieving a state of eternal calm. It’s about observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It’s about accepting the present moment as it is, without trying to change it or wish it away.

Me outlining the benefits of focus that mindfulness on your productivity, should not be the most exciting part about mindfulness, but to many of us it is. We find it hard to see outside of work and create a sense of self independent from the work we do. But you matter more than the work that you. When you look to spending time with yourself with no ulterior motives, you spending time with you with the sole purpose of spending time with yourself.

The rest of your life radiates it, you know that feeling of going through the motions, of living but not living that goes away. You become okay with sitting with yourself, you become more than okay with it, you enjoy it!

And that begins with the simple practice of mindfulness, something so small yet so profound is the foundation for completely changing how you experience life.