“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” – King Whitney, Jr.
My 2014 New Year’s wish for you is to have peace of mind, the ability to focus on what’s important without being distracted and freedom from chaos and the inner mind chatter that often takes you off point when pursuing a project or activity. And can, often times, interfere with your concentration at the most important moments, like during an audition.
I have discovered that not only for me, but for many of my students past and present and those I do consultations with, can often feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the end of each day unable to attend to and complete anything else one might have on their plates that must be accomplished on that day. It’s a common practice for most people to behave in this way. I discovered years ago that there is a way to triumph over this chaotic process that only takes 20 – 30 seconds of your time when moving from one task or project to another. However it must be practiced as often as possible because when it becomes the habit, your focus and the capability to successfully complete each task or project will, without any effort on your part, simply just get done.
Here is the behavior that you need to become very aware of if you haven’t already. Most people tend to drag their thoughts from one task, situation, project, or activity into the next task, situation, project or activity. Then drag those jumbled and mixed thoughts into the 3rd and then 4th, 5th, and 6th tasks, situations, projects or activities throughout the day. So by the end of the day you are worn out, exhausted, often feeling overwhelmed unable to figure out if you have successfully accomplished as much as you would have wished to. Does this sound familiar? This is most of us.
Here is the process I would LOVE for you to practice each and every time you are about to move from one new task, situation, project or activity to another. Like I said before, it’s simple and only takes a few seconds to achieve. You have to use your imagination and your senses of seeing, listening, feeling, tasting and smelling when using this process. Make it real.
When you are ready to leave one task, situation, project or activity, close the eyes and in the imagination, see a door in front of you. As you place the hand on the doorknob, notice that all thoughts and feelings connected to this particular task, situation, project or activity, are now all physically behind you in the room. When you are ready open the door, remembering to leave what you have just done in the room behind you and as you step out into a long hallway, hear the door close behind you. Stand there. The hallway, in which you find yourself, is a very long, quiet, peaceful, light filled, fresh smelling and safe hallway with another door just a few feet in front of you. Rest here for a few seconds to enjoy the refreshing quiet. Enjoy and notice how free and serene the space is. When you are ready to move on to the next task, situation, project or activity, feel yourself put the hand on the doorknob in front of you. Hear the door open and step into the next space. Hear and feel the door close behind you. Now you are ready and equipped to handle the next task, situation project or activity that is in the space or room in the imagination. Open the eyes. You will truly feel refreshed and revitalized ready to focus on only the task at hand.
As you go through your day, apply the technique – the process, every time you change each task, situation, project or activity. Practice makes permanent, so if you are intending to add this to your repertoire, do it all the way or not at all. The results will astound you. You will find you have more energy throughout the day and in the evening. Apply this as well to your social settings.
Keep me in the loop. I love it when I hear about how this worked for you. And please, pass it on. Ciao until next time. Carol
