Handling your transitions mindfully
Think of how many transitions you go through every day. You were in a meeting, then you stepped out. You check your email. Maybe that meeting was a bit frustrating. Maybe that led to you getting frustrated at that last email you got. Maybe you sent off a snippy reply.
Every new meeting is a transition. Every time you go from email to writing a strategy document, a creative piece, a press release is a transition. Every time you start a conversation with co workers is a transition.
What we tend to do is carry over our mindset, our moods, the remnants of the last thing you did into the next thing. With several united results.
You are still thinking of the previous meeting, so cannot fully focus on working on that creative endeavor. Or maybe you are still excited by the results shared with you in the presentation and so were unable to treat a new issue with the seriousness that it deserves. Maybe frustrations at work lead to you shouting at your kids.
But there is a way to change.
I have been working on an exercise from High Performance Habits, where by I take just 30 seconds to release any remnant thoughts and feelings from my last activity, and then spending 30 seconds on doing a mindful transition to my new activity. How?
First 30 seconds: close your eyes, and say — release, release, release. Relax every muscle in your body. Let go of tension.
Next 30 seconds: imagine that you are at your best self in your next activity. What would you look like, act like, what would be the emotions you would have? Now get yourself in that mindset.
The results are phenomenal. I find myself more present with other people, a LOT more productive and engaged in writing. I know what I need to bring to the table to succeed in the next activity.
All in less than a minute.
So go ahead, transition mindfully. And share your experiences with me.
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