PAUSE – 10.16 – What’s New?
June 9, 2010
REFLECTION:
What’s new? It’s a common enough greeting and an innocent enough question. Novelties – new information, new opportunities, new ideas – have a place in our lives. They generate energy, engagement and excitement about life’s possibilities.
However, a preoccupation with the latest, up-to-the-nano-second news can keep us from more meaningful, long-term pursuits.
Scientists looking at how we juggle the bombardment of email, phone calls and other inbound info are finding that our ability to focus is undermined by constantly reacting to these info bursts. We have more trouble sifting out irrelevant information, become more fractured in our thinking, and end up less focused on what we know in our clear thinking moments constitute our top priorities.
‘Incoming bits’ provoke an excitement akin to an adrenalin rush – and are just as addictive. As we become more obsessed with pursuing new bits of info, we are then less likely to stay the course – less likely to follow through putting older, more valuable information to work.
This incessant influx of information can work against our long term productivity and well being – and leave us more stressed, to boot. A University of California study found that people interrupted by e-mail reported significantly increased stress compared to those left alone to focus on the task at hand.
ACTION:
So, what’s the take away learning from the ‘latest’ research? It argues strongly in favor of judiciously pulling the plug on incoming news and views.
Don’t let your focus and energy be hijacked by nonstop missives arriving in your in box or voice mail.
At those times when you are intent on a high priority task or relationship, unplug the technology. Turn off the smart phone. Quell the twitter. Log off Facebook. Quash the news feed.
Temper your ‘reactive’ brain by removing temptations to distraction, and tend to what your ‘thinking’ brain has already declared is most important. Actually making progress on things that matter could turn out to be an adrenalin rush of an even more satisfying and enduring kind!
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“We’ve got a large and growing group of people who think the slightest hint that something interesting might be going on is like catnip. They can’t ignore it.” – Clifford Nass, Stanford Communications Professor
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
For more on the plugged-in phenomenon and its impact see this New York Times article, ‘Hooked On Gadgets, and Paying A Mental Price’ at: http://tinyurl.com/2e4ru2l
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READERS WRITE:
In response to last week’s message, “Settle Down – Settle In”, Pause reader MB writes: This morning your piece hit home for me. I came in to work with a mental list of all the things I must do, finish and make plans for, before attending a conference, visiting family members who have some serious health concerns, and then leaving on a week’s vacation with a friend who is struggling with several of life’s issues. So, before starting in to whittle away the items on the list, I took a 30 second breather. It helped me focus and relax and get my work done more effectively. I forwarded the message on to colleagues. I think as a group we could take a 30 second breather before meetings and maybe even in our group sessions with clients. Thanks for this timely reminder to settle down and settle in.
REFLECTION: What’s new? It’s a common enough greeting and an innocent enough question. Novelties – new information, new opportunities, new ideas – have a place in our lives. They generate energy, engagement and excitement about life’s possibilities.
However, a preoccupation with the latest, up-to-the-nano-second news can keep us from more meaningful, long-term pursuits.
Scientists looking at how we juggle the bombardment of email, phone calls and other inbound info are finding that our ability to focus is undermined by constantly reacting to these info bursts. We have more trouble sifting out irrelevant information, become more fractured in our thinking, and end up less focused on what we know in our clear thinking moments constitute our top priorities. (more…)
PAUSE -10.15- Settle Down – Settle In
June 3, 2010
REFLECTION:
St James Independent, a boys’ school in London, starts each day with a formalized Pause. All 300 of the students gather in assembly to sit in silence, calm down and settle in for the day ahead. Now this is something I’d pay to see: 300 young boys sitting still for ten minutes – no talking, no fidgeting!
That’s not the only point of pause in the St James school day. Each class begins and ends with 30 seconds of silence – a chance for students to clear their minds and prepare for what comes next.
The headmaster of the school positions the practice as one of creating an oasis for learning and as an antidote to our ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) way of being in the world – continuously plugged in and responding to outside stimulation.
ACTION:
What kind of practices have you already incorporated or could you start using more regularly to settle down and settle in for the everyday experiences of your life? It doesn’t have to be complicated.
* Sit down at your desk and sit back in your chair with eyes closed for a minute before diving in to your email, checking your to do list, or tackling the next task.
* Take a deep breath before answering the phone.
* Start a meeting with 30 seconds of silence. Give attendees a chance to shake off outside concerns and bring their attention to the room. Bodies may be in chairs, but minds may not be present.
Give these or other ideas a try and see what kind of presence and calm they bring to your day.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“Quiet and stillness in our urban environments is a rare thing. Quiet and stillness in the human mind is even rarer.” – Ronski
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
For more on the St James approach, and other thoughts on pausing, silence and stillness, check out this BBC article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8714177.stm
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READERS WRITE:
In response to last week’s message, ‘Hold Lightly-Not Tightly’, Pause reader BT writes: I experience a similar pain when plans evaporate, as I am certainly one of those who creates expectations. The moment I realize that life’s events have led me away from plans, I feel disappointed, confused and angry at whatever I feel is responsible for the derailment.
I started telling myself “no plans – no disappointment”. But that just left me empty, as I lost the pleasure of the anticipation. I soon realized that, although I was not responsible for the change in events, I was responsible for the way I was feeling.
Life sometimes has a slightly different path planned for us; and we just have to realize we must steer in a slightly different direction. Hold Lightly – Not Tightly is now another tool I will use, along with always having a plan B in circumstances that hold a certain level of unpredictability. Thank you for adding to my life’s tool box.
REFLECTION: St James Independent, a boys’ school in London, starts each day with a formalized Pause. All 300 of the students gather in assembly to sit in silence, calm down and settle in for the day ahead. Now this is something I’d pay to see: 300 young boys sitting still for ten minutes – no talking, no fidgeting!
That’s not the only point of pause in the St James school day. Each class begins and ends with 30 seconds of silence – a chance for students to clear their minds and prepare for what comes next.
The headmaster of the school positions the practice as one of creating an oasis for learning and as an antidote to our ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) way of being in the world – continuously plugged in and responding to outside stimulation. (more…)
PAUSE -10.14- Hold Lightly – Not Tightly
May 26, 2010
REFLECTION:
Well, folks, it’s been six weeks since I signed off for a Pause sabbatical in anticipation of the Great Spring Travel Adventure. You’ll recall I was headed for Europe to spend a week taking a painting class in the Cotswolds, followed by two weeks with my husband in London and Paris, and a final two weeks with a painting group touring Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Those of you who follow my blog or Facebook page will already know things didn’t quite unfold according to plan. It seems the Icelandic Volcano had other ideas in mind for me. The thick layer of volcanic ash clogging the flightpaths over Europe shut down air travel on the very day we were to leave for London. We rebooked our flights for 5 days later only to be cancelled again with the prospect of yet another 5 day wait before we could snag another set of seats – IF the airports were open.
By then I had missed the painting class completely, all our time in the UK would have evaporated, and Dave and I would be left with one short week together in Paris. So, we opted to cancel our shared portion of the trip in hopes of something more substantial at a later time, and I rebooked to fly directly to join the painting group in Lisbon.
Frankly, I did not take the change well. We had set plans for this adventure months earlier. It had taken a major investment of energy to work out the details and coordinate the connections. I was highly invested in anticipation and excitement.
Sure, there were consolations. We were alive and well. We were physically comfortable at home, not jammed into the corner of some airport waiting room with thousands of others halfway around the world. We were able to recoup most of our deposits or arrange credits on trip arrangements. Still, I had a terrible time shaking the black cloud over MY head.
Friends and family extended comfort and suggested there would be great lessons to harvest from the experience. Frankly, the most I could muster at the time was a succinct and acerbic, “Life sucks! Move on!”
ACTION:
Looking back on the experience from this end, I find that I do have a better perspective on the whole situation. In the scheme of possible life events a cancelled, postponed, or rearranged vacation rates pretty low on the list of things that could go wrong – certainly nowhere near disaster status. Of course, I knew that at the time – in my mind – but it still felt horribly disappointing in my gut.
The core problem with my reaction centered on my expectations. I had built up a huge head of steam in anticipation of things unfolding according to plan. The more tightly I held to those original expectations, the more pain I experienced as those plans evaporated into thin air – or in this case smoke and ash.
If there’s anything I’ve learned that might be a helpful mantra for all of us in those times when life heads sideways, it’s the idea of ‘Holding Lightly – Not Tightly.’
PS – I had a chance to test this approach on our scheduled return from Madrid to Frankfurt to Ottawa to Saskatoon. Bad weather in Frankfurt delayed our flight out of Madrid. By the time we lifted off the runway in Spain, our two and a half hour connection window in Frankfurt had narrowed to 30 minutes. A number of my travelling companions were distraught.
In my mind, I found myself reviewing the possibilities. It could be the flight from Frankfurt to Ottawa is also delayed and we have more time than we realize. Could be the airline holds the Ottawa flight for the 14 of us who are making connections. Could be we miss the connection completely and have to rebook. Any one of those things is just as likely to happen as another – and no matter which one it is, all will be well. Hold lightly – not tightly.
In fact we did miss our connection in Frankfurt. Lufthansa rebooked us for the next morning through Calgary to Saskatoon and provided hotel, meals and ground transfer for everyone. And yes, all was indeed well.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“When it hurts so bad, it’s because I am hanging on so tight.” – Pema Chodron
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
I really found the ideas in this book by Pema Chodron helpful: “When Things Fall Apart – Heart Advice for Difficult Times”. If you find yourself hitting a rough patch or two, you might find Pema’s ideas speak to you, too.
Also, for any of you who are interested in catching a taste of my travels as they did unfold, you can check out the postings I made from Portugal, Spain and Morocco on my Pause Blog at: http://www.pauseworks.com/wp/ Just click on the Travel category, and you’ll find all the most recent postings at the top of the list. Enjoy.
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READERS WRITE:
In response to the most recent message on R & R (Remorse & Regret), Pause reader LE writes: ” I am currently battling the issue of having mired myself in doing too much on a project. My resentment, I have realized, is that no one has stepped forward to “rescue” me. I am taking a serious look at my
own culpability in all of this, stepping back where it makes sense, drawing my line, sticking to it (the hardest part)…and moving on. Thanks for your wisdom.”
REFLECTION: Well, folks, it’s been six weeks since I signed off for a Pause sabbatical in anticipation of the Great Spring Travel Adventure. You’ll recall I was headed for Europe to spend a week taking a painting class in the Cotswolds, followed by two weeks with my husband in London and Paris, and a final two weeks with a painting group touring Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Those of you who follow my blog or Facebook page will already know things didn’t quite unfold according to plan. It seems the Icelandic Volcano had other ideas in mind for me. The thick layer of volcanic ash clogging the flightpaths over Europe shut down air travel on the very day we were to leave for London. We rebooked our flights for 5 days later only to be cancelled again with the prospect of yet another 5 day wait before we could snag another set of seats – IF the airports were open.
By then I had missed the painting class completely, all our time in the UK would have evaporated, and Dave and I would be left with one short week together in Paris. So, we opted to cancel our shared portion of the trip in hopes of something more substantial at a later time, and I rebooked to fly directly to join the painting group in Lisbon.
Frankly, I did not take the change well. (more…)
PAUSE – 10.13 – A Different Kind of R&R
April 14, 2010
REFLECTION:
I recently hosted a play day for two nieces and my grandson. The weather was great, so much of the day was spent exploring the springtime treasures of the backyard. There were twigs to gather, ladybugs to catch, and birds’ nests to investigate. I hung the hammock, and they took turns giving each other rides and picking each other up off the ground.
Eventually attention turned to the fish pond. The threesome was delighted to discover twigs and leaves afloat – and mortified to discover 3 dead goldfish amongst the debris. Fish of a significant size, I might add. One 5 inches long and the others each 3 inches in length.
Reactions were varied. The three year old wanted to know how to make them swim again. (Ignorance is bliss, and hope springs eternal in the mind of an innocent.) The seven year old was highly engaged by the mechanics of the recovery operation (twigs, nets, airlifts, plastic bags). The ten year old fired accusing glances and words my way, “How could you leave them to freeze, Aunt Pat? You have to tell them how sorry you are!”
I was, I admit, filled with R & R – remorse and regret. I’d spent several hours one cold day last October scooping fish out of the pond and moving them into the basement tubs for the winter. I thought we had 15 fish, and I harvested that number. Apparently, they’d multiplied.
In my defense, the three spring floaters were all grey and silver in color – tough to sight in the murky waters – unlike their bright orange and white kin that are much easier to find. And, in October I had gone back out to the pond several times after the water had stilled again, to see if there were any fish that had been left behind. But in the end, I was responsible for their demise. It was a sad moment all round.
ACTION:
I’m assuming that you, too, have perhaps experienced an ‘oops’ moment or two in your own life. Many, of course, will be far more significant than the loss of the lives of three small fish.
One of the challenges to avoid in moments of error is that of getting bogged down in remorse and recriminations. Should have. Could have. If only.
In the end, the best lesson in how to handle these experiences came from the three year old. He paid attention to what was happening. He expressed concern about the situation. He wondered how or whether it might be fixed. And, then, assured that nothing could be done except try to do better next time, he picked up a fresh stick and ambled off in new directions. I’m following his lead.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“Draw a line. Step over it. Move on.” – Rambling Dave Scharf
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
Check out this article on Dealing With Your Biggest Regret at: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Dealing-With-Your-Biggest-Regret–/1055503
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READERS WRITE:
In response to last week’s message, ‘Making Your Mark’, Pause reader KE writes: “This is a great newsletter today, Pat. And the thing that struck me the most about it is your ability to notice – really notice – what is happening in an everyday moment, and ponder the wider message / broader learning / or life lesson. You have a real gift for seeing things in a different way.”
REFLECTION: I recently hosted a play day for two nieces and my grandson. The weather was great, so much of the day was spent exploring the springtime treasures of the backyard. There were twigs to gather, ladybugs to catch, and birds’ nests to investigate. I hung the hammock, and they took turns giving each other rides and picking each other up off the ground.
Eventually attention turned to the fish pond. The threesome was delighted to discover twigs and leaves afloat – and mortified to discover 3 dead goldfish amongst the debris. Fish of a significant size, I might add. One 5 inches long and the others each 3 inches in length.
Reactions were varied. (more…)
PAUSE – 10.12 – Making Your Mark
April 7, 2010
REFLECTION:
I paused on this morning’s riverbank walk for a moment to perch on a frost covered bench and soak up a bit of sunshine. When I arose I (or at least my jacket) had soaked up more than the sunshine. Frost be gone! That spot on the bench was white no more.
I found myself wondering, “Could making your mark on the world really be that easy?”
So often we look at impacting the world around us as tricky, time consuming, and complicated. Having an impact is seen as something to be planned, pursued and executed with ferocity and intensity.
Well, maybe there are more ease-filled options in front of us or around us all the time. In our haste to push through and carry on, we may miss the opportunity completely.
ACTION:
What frosty situations are you facing? Strained relationships? Tangled problems? Off-track projects? Commitment overload?
What might actually be resolved, if you simply paused for a moment? Sat down solo to rest your burden and consider your options – or sat informally with someone else for a relaxed conversation about the issue at hand?
Sometimes the natural warmth of connection and the relaxed energy of presence thaws the iciest situations. You may discover inherent bench strength you haven’t even begun to tap.
Give yourself the gift of a moment. Sit. Relax. Pause. Ponder. Thaw out a problem or two. Carry on your way.
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QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
“People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them.” – George Bernard Shaw
“If things go wrong, don’t go with them.” – Roger Babson
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
I learned many important lessons about the impact of pause by participating in regular Balance Days with two of my friends and colleagues. For ten years, the three of us met at the turn of the seasons and invested a few hours or a full day in reflection and renewal. The experience taught us a lot about presence and ease and their positive impact on our lives.
You’ll find the story of our experience and a process for creating your own Balance Day triad experience in the Balance Day Guide & Journal, now available for purchase from the Pause Shop in electronic pdf download format. Check it out at: http://www.pauseworks.com/shop/publications.php#balance
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READERS WRITE:
In response to last week’s message, The Acceleration Trap, Pause reader JK writes: Your message today was very timely. Here are a couple of side effects of overload on an organization that were not mentioned in your article. I have experienced these first-hand.
Rapid change means insufficient time to communicate changes to employees. Lack of communication creates an atmosphere where rumors become the source of (mis)information. This leads to a drop in morale.
How can employees be expected to maintain high levels of performance when change is happening so fast they don’t have time to adapt? This is happening more and more in all industries. Maybe, everyone – including the organization- needs to slow down.
REFLECTION: I paused on this morning’s riverbank walk for a moment to perch on a frost covered bench and soak up a bit of sunshine. When I arose I (or at least my jacket) had soaked up more than the sunshine. Frost be gone! That spot on the bench was white no more.
I found myself wondering, “Could making your mark on the world really be that easy?”
So often we look at impacting the world around us as tricky, time consuming, and complicated. Having an impact is seen as something to be planned, pursued and executed with ferocity and intensity.
Well, maybe there are more ease-filled options in front of us or around us all the time. In our haste to push through and carry on, we may miss the opportunity completely. (more…)
PAUSE – 10.11 – Acceleration Trap
March 31, 2010
REFLECTION:
Researchers in Switzerland and the UK have confirmed what I have long observed – that overload has just as serious an impact on organizations as it does on individuals. Bruch and Menges studied 600 companies over the last decade and identified what they refer to as the Acceleration Trap.
The trap is the result of corporations taking on more than they can handle, increasing the number and speed of activities, spiking performance goals, slashing innovation cycles and continuously introducing new technologies and systems. In short, taking a fast and furious approach to multiple issues on multiple fronts.
What’s the impact on individuals? Employees don’t have enough resources to meet expectations. They work under endlessly elevated time pressures, in situations where priorities are constantly changing. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel and little or no investment in rejuvenation.
Organizationally, relentless acceleration breeds a lack of focus, misalignment of activities, conflicting messaging, confused customers, and exhausted employees.
B&M have identified three core destructive patterns of behavior. Overloading the organization with too many projects and activities. Multi-loading employees by asking them to do too many different kinds of activities. Perpetual loading in which there is no opportunity to regroup or catch your breath before the next burst of frenzy.
ACTION:
So, how might companies sustain high performance over time without overtaxing their employees, confusing their customers, and losing their edge?
B&M offer several suggestions.
1. Halt less important work. Solicit ideas for what could be terminated.
2. Get clear about strategy. It’s tougher to prioritize or jettison projects, if you don’t know what matters most and how activities connect to those end goals.
3. Adopt a systematic approach to sifting and sorting projects. Place a cap on the number of annual goals. Filter ideas for new projects through a reality check.
4. Build corporate time-outs into the cycle of performance. Declare an endpoint to focused initiatives – rather than having them drag on forever. Mandate periods of regrouping after major projects.
What do all these suggestions have in common? A degree of thoughtfulness that somehow seems absent in a climate of fast furious infinite frenzy.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“If the leader gets greedy, demanding the same level of urgency every day, the energy will fizzle and performance will sink, despite employees’ heroics.” – Bruch & Menges
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
Read the complete article, The Acceleration Trap, by Bruch & Menges, in the April, 2010 edition of Harvard Business Review. You will find the opening paragraphs of the article on-line at: http://hbr.org/2010/04/the-acceleration-trap/ar/1 Full article can be purchased on-line from HBR or check for a copy of HBR in the business section of your library.
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‘TAKE A BREAK REPRINT’ OPPORTUNITY:
In case you missed last week’s notice, I’ll repeat it one more time. I’m reprinting the booklet, ‘Take A Break – 67 Ways To Pause When You Absolutely Positively Do Not Have The Time’. These booklets are great for conference and event give-aways, corporate wellness initiatives, orientation packages for new employees, EFAP libraries, coffee room reading, and as gifts for clients, staff and volunteers.
At this time of reprinting, you can take advantage of specially reduced pricing for quantity orders with your corporate message imprinted on the front cover. See this two page pdf ( http://www.pauseworks.com/take_a_break.pdf ) for a look at the cover with sample imprint, and for custom pricing info on orders. Call me (877-728-5289) or email (info@patkatz.com) if you are interested in putting these great ideas in the hands of people who matter most in your world.
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READERS WRITE:
In response to last week’s message, Calm & Curious, Pause reader CD writes: Loved this message! I find that writing is a great way to make myself slow down as it automatically makes me do steps #1, 4 and 5 (pause and shift gears before reacting). Going back and editing my words results in a much more measured, and usually appropriate, response. Thanks for this!
REFLECTION: Researchers in Switzerland and the UK have confirmed what I have long observed – that overload has as serious an impact on organizations as it does on individuals. Bruch and Menges studied 600 companies over the last decade and identified what they refer to as the Acceleration Trap.
The trap is the result of corporations taking on more than they can handle, increasing the number and speed of activities, spiking performance goals, slashing innovation cycles and continuously introducing new technologies and systems. In short, taking a fast and furious approach to multiple issues on multiple fronts.
What’s the impact on individuals? Employees don’t have enough resources to meet expectations. They work under endlessly elevated time pressures, in situations where priorities are constantly changing. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel and little or no investment in rejuvenation.
Organizationally, relentless acceleration breeds a lack of focus, misalignment of activities, conflicting messaging, confused customers, and exhausted employees.
B&M have identified three core destructive patterns of behavior. (more…)
PAUSE -10.10- Calm & Curious
March 24, 2010
REFLECTION: Skip the details. Jump to conclusions. Fly off the handle. Shoot from the hip.
Our language frames our lives. Fiery, fast paced phrases and mindsets drive hurried, harried responses. I often wonder – in the midst of the snapping, jumping, and flying – whether we abandon wisdom in the breach.
What might life be like if we substituted calm and curious for fast and furious? A touch wiser, perhaps? (more…)
PAUSE – 10.09 – Invisible? Unreachable?
March 17, 2010
REFLECTION:
When we visited Paris in 2004, we tried to see the exhibit featuring Monet’s waterlily paintings. When I inquired about their location and visiting hours at a Paris Museums Info Center, I was told most apologetically, “Ah, Madame, je suis desole que Nympheas de Monet sont invisibles.”
The translation was a bit skewed; but through subsequent exchanges we learned that the paintings themselves were not really invisible (at least in the English sense of the word). They’d not evaporated into thin air, but they had, in a manner of speaking, gone into hiding. L’Orangerie, the building that houses the Monet paintings was under renovation, and the paintings indeed could not be seen.
For some reason – who knows how the mind works – I was reminded of this exchange and the idea of being invisible or unreachable as I listened this morning to a radio report of a new techno gadget set to go to market. For an investment of a mere $150, the InPulse wristwatch grabs information arriving on your smart phone – caller ID, text messages, email titles, calendar alerts – and displays it on your wrist, while vibrating to catch your attention.
You can’t access the messages, but you can decide on the basis of the message, whether you will jump to your phone to respond. Apparently, a casual glance at your wristwatch is considered to be more discrete and polite – less distracting and dangerous – than a check of other ancillary devices. Forgive me for being naive (sarcasm alert), but if you are glancing at your watch every 15 or 20 seconds, it will soon become apparent that you are not simply checking the time.
For the life of me, I can’t see how this new gadget improves our world. It’s just one more tiny text device battling for our eyes and minds in an already overloaded environment.
ACTION:
So, back to Paris. In the case of the Monet waterlilies, their invisibility – time out of circulation invested in renewal and upgrade – resulted in a fresh presentation that will continue to bring pleasure year after year. It certainly brought us delight when we were able to see them on a subsequent visit in 2008.
I wonder how much delight, creativity and refreshment strapping on yet one more ‘mother of all input gadgets’ will bring to our world. Who will we really be fooling when we sneak surreptitious glances in the direction of our wrists, while pretending to be attending to the world in front of us? Will being constantly connected to another electronic tether cause us to become more focused, or ever more frayed and fractured?
Suddenly, the prospect of a few minutes or hours of being invisible, unreachable, or out of the loop starts to look very attractive indeed.
Be careful. Be VERY careful about the tools you choose, lest they lead you somewhere you don’t really want to go!
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“The amount of genuine leisure available in a society is generally in inverse proportion to the amount of labor-saving machinery it employs.” – E.F. Schumacher
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
Speaking of items strapped to the wrist, two California based entrepreneurs have created a Pause bracelet, designed to help individuals be more present and less caught up in the crazy, busy, frenzy of life.
The capsule on the bracelet vibrates every 90 minutes as a reminder to step back from the busyness and take a second to be more present to life’s moments. You can check out their bracelet at: http://www.meaningtopause.com
I purchased one a few months ago and tried it myself. It certainly does a good job of getting your attention. Although I found the vibration just a shade more alarming than alerting, and the design not quite to my own taste aesthetically, I am a sample of one. They’re getting a positive response from many; and it might be just the thing for you.
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READERS WRITE:
Last week’s Pause e-zine with a Pick/n/Go theme prompted a lot of reader comments. I’ve pulled them together and posted them to my blog at: http://www.pauseworks.com/wp/?p=889
Enjoy, and feel free to talk back, yourself. Just toss in your two cents worth in the Comments box at the end of the blog posting.
REFLECTION: When we visited Paris in 2004, we tried to see the exhibit featuring Monet’s waterlily paintings. When I inquired about their location and visiting hours at a Paris Museums Info Center, I was told most apologetically, “Ah, Madame, je suis desole que Nympheas de Monet sont invisibles.”
The translation was a bit skewed; but through subsequent exchanges we learned that the paintings themselves were not really invisible (at least in the English sense of the word). They’d not evaporated into thin air, but they had, in a manner of speaking, gone into hiding. L’Orangerie, the building that houses the Monet paintings was under renovation, and the paintings indeed could not be seen.
For some reason – who knows how the mind works – I was reminded of this exchange and the idea of being invisible or unreachable as I listened this morning to a radio report of a new techno gadget set to go to market. For an investment of a mere $150, the InPulse wristwatch grabs information arriving on your smart phone – caller ID, text messages, email titles, calendar alerts – and displays it on your wrist, while vibrating to catch your attention. (more…)
Pick ‘n’ Go Talk Back
March 15, 2010
Last week’s Pause e-zine with a Pick ‘n’ Go theme prompted a lot of reader comments. I’ve pulled them together and pasted them here. Enjoy, and feel free to talk back, yourself. Just toss in your two cents worth in the Comments box at the end of the posting.
YD writes: About “pick and go”… Another option could be to simply say “today is such a day”: accept / live / “experience” (as in “feel” / meditate on…) that today is not a day to cross items off the proverbial to do list but rather water the plants, drink coffees and read e-mails. Maybe tomorrow will be the day to cross off twice as many items…
CD writes: “Reminds me of going to the lake last weekend. I was out for a walk and was passed by a woman who was out jogging. We said hello in passing. How I wished she simply slowed down for five minutes and walked with me as I really enjoy her company and miss her.”
SM writes: “Often I find when I get into the puttering mode, feeling reluctant to get started on “the list”, I find it renewing … that indeed I do need a bit of a break from diligence, and the dreaminess of watering plants and browsing on email can be quite rejuvenating … then when I feel I really have given myself a break from the pressure of the ‘must get to’ on the ‘lists’, I feel renewed — I’ve larked about, and then I’m ready to attack #1 … and it usually feels easier than if I pushed myself to do it from some sense of ‘should’.” (more…)
PAUSE – 10.08 – Pick & Go
March 10, 2010
REFLECTION:
I’m just coming in for a landing after several lively weeks that have included a demanding level of program delivery, significant travel, and more than a few family events and commitments.
During busy times, I find it relatively easy to focus. The priority tasks are clear – from preparing for the next day’s seminar, to packing for following day’s business trip, to finding a gift in time for a birthday party.
However, when pressing urgencies recede, the tenor of the day shifts. On one hand, I’m thankful for the pause and sense of freedom that comes with a more open schedule. There’s a greater ease when I’m working with instead of against the clock.
Still, in that expanded sense of time, I find my intentions lean to the ambitious. Ah, I promise myself, now I’ll have time for this and that and this and that – items that have been lingering on the back burner, hoping for some attention.
At the same time, distractions abound. Because there isn’t a pressing urgency demanding my attention, I am more easily lured by life’s flotsam and jetsam. And that, in itself, can be overwhelming.
Case in point. This morning my To Do list notes that these items await my attention: write a Pause e-zine, invoice and clean up from the last couple of weeks of programs, follow up with clients on pending holds.
And yet, so far, I’ve watered the plants, refilled my coffee three times, checked email about as often, dropped in to Facebook and cleared the spam comments from my Blog. None of these activities are part of my plan. They don’t even offer much by way of renewal or significance.
ACTION:
So how to sidestep the distractions and get on track? My most consistently successful strategy is simply to choose one thing and start.
In today’s instance, it has been crafting this week’s Pause e-zine. Once started on the task, the focus seems to follow.
So, if and when you find yourself floundering and frittering, check your list, then pick and go. It’s as if the simple act of beginning sends a message to the distractions saying, “Get out of here, or talk amongst yourselves!”
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal.” – Robert Brault
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RESOURCE OF THE WEEK:
Revving up or calming down? From Zen Habits, one article for each state. Read according to your need.
http://zenhabits.net/2008/01/30-things-to-do-to-keep-from-getting-bored-out-of-your-skull-at-work/
http://zenhabits.net/2008/02/17-unbeatable-ways-to-create-a-peaceful-relaxed-workday/
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READERS WRITE:
Re last week’s Pause message on Goofs & Guffaws, reader KE writes: “I completely agree. Demonstrating an ability to laugh at themselves – on a world stage no less – was a powerful message from the Olympic organizers. There were so many great stories and lessons from these Olympics – lots of reasons to be inspired and examples to help the rest of us mortals put things into perspective. May our glowing hearts remain so for a long time to come.”
REFLECTION: I’m just coming in for a landing after several lively weeks that have included a demanding level of program delivery, significant travel, and more than a few family events and commitments.
During busy times, I find it relatively easy to focus. The priority tasks are clear – from preparing for the next day’s seminar, to packing for following day’s business trip, to finding a gift in time for a birthday party.
However, when pressing urgencies recede, the tenor of the day shifts. On one hand, I’m thankful for the pause and sense of freedom that comes with a more open schedule. There’s a greater ease when I’m working with instead of against the clock.
Still, in that expanded sense of time, I find my intentions lean to the ambitious. Ah, I promise myself, now I’ll have time for this and that and this and that – items that have been lingering on the back burner, hoping for some attention.
At the same time, distractions abound. (more…)
