I’m sure that, like you, there are days when we feel that we are snowed under with things to do, things running around in our heads followed by external interruptions, such as the phone or people talking at you. Last week my head was spinning so fast, I didn’t have time to rest and there was so much going on.
I found myself driving in the car feeling agitated and then I suddenly realised the radio was on and there was just noise coming out of it! I immediately switched it off and ‘turned up’ the silence.
It was a beautiful moment and I just drove along feeling so much calmer. I noticed my breathing and did a few deep breaths, I rolled my shoulder (Which, at the time, were by my ears) and stretched my neck from side to side.
I started to notice how beautiful the day was and how beautiful the scenery was. I focussed on my breathing again and began to feel relaxed. By removing one ‘white noise distraction’ I managed to get some space in my head and live in the moment.
The calmness was broken by a call and I was taken away from the peace, which started to ramp up the tensions again, but only slightly.
Being aware of the things that can accumulate and, potentially, send us over the edge is something I have to force myself to do. I feel the pressure, like we all do, and sometimes I don’t realise it’s building, to an unproductive level, before it’s too late. I may snap at someone or avoid doing something because I can’t be bothered and my performance levels start to drop. That can impact all things ‘Darren Broad’ – my work, my relationships, my productivity and my lifestyle.
Fortunately, I have good, trusted, people around me that are not afraid to give me feedback, whether it’s a tough message to hear or not. I may not want to hear the reality and I have many ‘reasons’ for my, occasional outbursts, but eventually I have to take a look in the mirror then do a lot of apologising.
Sometimes, like the experience in the car earlier, I can identify one thing that will reduce my stress levels massively but that’s only when I ask myself the question “What am I experiencing, right now?” The radio is always on in the car and, just now and then, it’s a noise I don’t need.
I was coaching someone last week and their ‘go to place’ was cycling. He would get out on his bike for a short ride, turn his phone off, and by the time he got home, everything was put back into perspective. and he was in control again.
What ‘white noise’ do you have in your life and how can you ‘switch it off’ just for a moment of respite, peace and thinking time? Can you turn your phone off every night at 8pm and turn it on at 8am.
I know 12 hours without a device stuck to our head is impossible! The world will stop and we will feel disconnected, until, you turn it back on again and realise nothing changed in that time.
Give it a go, it’s refreshing (Just let your family or teams know you are doing this!)