Has your daily routine reached a deafening pitch?
Amid the noise, the digital distraction and pace of the 21st century, how much more can you take before stress and burnout takes its toll?
Right now, are you mind full or being mindful?
Do you feel stuck in a vortex of overthinking? Do your over-active thoughts create feelings of overwhelm and chaos? Do you feel lethargic and less productive as a result?
Stop. Slow down. Be in the moment.
Imagine stepping away from the noise. Imagine giving yourself the gift of time and ‘white space’, in your day, week, or month. Imagine being able to pause, breathe and reflect…
How would you like to discover ways to make this happen?
Let me share with you how you can shift your mindset from chaos to clarity and embrace more ‘white space’ in your life.
What is White Space?
We often read about white space in art and design. In Chinese art, the concept of white space is known as ‘designing the white’, to inspire thought and imagination. White space is where the magic comes alive.
How does white space relate to your everyday life?
Look at your day, week and monthly diary. How full is your time? How much white space can you see?
Is there too much going on? Do you lack organisation (time management), overfill your own capacity (keep saying Yes), or are you addicted to distraction (you’ve given permission for productivity thieves such as social media to steal your most valuable asset – your time)?
What will happen if you continue to live in this state of chaos? Your health, wellbeing, personal performance, productivity, confidence and growth will suffer.
Humans are not designed to be ‘on’ all the time. Our minds and bodies cannot cope with constant mind chatter. We should not be consistent problem solvers and race around in our brains.
What do we keep doing?
We overthink and overfill our time which leads to feeling overwhelmed.
STOP.
It’s time to switch off the noise and switch on to you.
It’s time to let go of the constant stream of mindset inhibiting behaviours, habits and self-talk.
Here are 6 ways you can make time for ‘white space’ and bring your magic to life:
- Addiction to distraction. Did you know 56% of people are afraid of missing something such as event news or social media updates if they don’t ‘keep up on social networks’? Recognise how often you allow this #1 productivity thief to interrupt your flow. As Susan Cain writes, “The simple act of being interrupted is one of the biggest barriers to productivity”. What ONE distraction are you prepared to give up?
- We all get 24 hours in a day however many people say they never have enough hours to get things done. Assess how you make use of time each day. How can you make room for white space to slow down, reflect and add focus and clarity?
- Diarise ‘You’ time. It’s okay to be alone with self, to embrace the quiet and calm. Challenge yourself to do nothing to adopt a mindset of ‘white space’ for wellness. Avoid feeling guilty and embrace the joy of time you gift yourself. Imagine how much more refreshed, happier and fulfilled you will feel…
- Time block your day. Plan short, specific goals and protect the time you set aside to achieve them. Ask yourself this question each day: What one thing will I accomplish today that gets me closer to my big goal?
- Adopt an attitude of gratitude. Make time at the start of your day to be thankful for what matters in your life. Charge yourself with mindful energy, purpose and confidence. Breathe life into your day.
- Take a walk. I encourage my clients to take short, no purpose ‘Wonder Walks’. Declutter your mind and body and refresh your focus. It’s a fun and liberating way to enjoy ‘white space’ in the outdoor green gym. Exercise is an essential habit to build. It can be life-transforming and can enable you to become fitter and healthier, more confident and more productive.
The shift in mindset from chaos to clarity is not about fitting more into your life. It’s about reorganising and making time to do what matters. Take one step at a time because you are a work in progress. Adopt a life of less clutter and more white space.
What actions will you commit to today to start your journey from being mind full to mindful?
Remember: recognise the distraction cues, review the noise and create a declutter plan, and redesign your white space