
I’m going to wave a flag, though, and say that you (meaning all of us) actually waste a lot of time everyday. No, I’m not talking about when you’re relaxing or sleeping - those are vital to health. I’m talking about when you spend time rehashing a conversation from hours ago, worry about what hasn’t happened yet (and most likely never will), or finish something in a rush only to have to spend 3X more time re-working it later. Even the distracted or multi-tasking mind mode shortens your available time. Studies have shown you’re not fully present 47% of the time on any given day. All of these are significant time drains and can perpetuate emotional tension.
So how to get some time back without a Back To The Future moment?
Pulling in your mindfulness practice, of course, and doing a HeartMath® technique called Freeze Frame… where you’re actually freezing the frame of the situation and making adjustments, just like you would if you were the director of a movie (hint, hint - you are directing your own movie all the time). Here's how to do it:
- When you notice things are going astray, pause the movie.
- Slow down and stop.
- Bring your attention to your heart center, slow your breath, and make a sincere effort to activate a positive feeling (ease, patience, flow, appreciation, etc.)
- Breathe and stay with this feeling sense as long as you need to or have time for. Even 10 seconds can be enough.
- Next, being the director, what clip would you have coming next in your movie? What would be an effective attitude or step forward right now? Most likely you’ll come up with something that creates a pleasant ending and keeps things on track.
More about Freeze Frame and other time and energy saving techniques in the upcoming Start With Heart course, but for now, as you head into 2019, practice “freezing the frame” throughout the day. There are so many instances where this can add lots of benefit and it’ll surely start the year off saving some time.
Sending you lots of Peace,
Shanti