Finding calm is doing what it takes to slow yourself down and to get present and clear. Our best decisions are made from this calm place. Military Special Forces have a saying “slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” They have to operate in dangerous situations and it is important they find calm in the midst of chaos. Elite athletes must also find their calm so they can get into the flow state, where optimal performance is possible.
As leaders who have to balance busy home and work lives, finding calm is a great way to distinguish yourself from your peers. In this calm you are the best position to demonstrate executive presence, superior decision making and levelheadedness.
How are you finding calm?
For some, the calm comes from connecting with the body through yoga or Tai Chi or other mindful practices. For others, it is activities like adult coloring, crosswords, or jigsaw puzzles. As for my partner and me, we found calm through ballroom dancing. Neither of us have rhythm, so it requires that we concentrate, count and gaze into each other’s eyes, which causes smiles except when I step on her feet.
Another way that I recommend people find calm is through morning writing. This practice is adopted from the book The Artist Way. The practice is to write for twenty or thirty minutes to siphon off negative or critical emotions. It is also a way to slow down and be more reflective and calmer.
What will work for you will be very specific to how you are wired. The key is to find ways to achieve calmness and clarity when you need them the most. For some helpful strategies, please look at my eBook, Navigating Through the Storm. To find out what works best for you, you’ll need to experiment with different techniques. If you are at a loss for where to start, I would try sitting quietly and counting to 25 and paying attention to your breathing without judgment.
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