An Important Button

👕 I’m grateful for this button. It gives me a chance to focus on what I’m doing with clear attention.

If I’m hurrying to get ready for a call, this tiny button (or one of its friends) will refuse to cooperate! I need to slow down, feel my fingers and take the time needed to complete the task. Rushing gets in the way.

There’s evidence that you create a positive mindset by habitually focusing on the here and now - with all its gifts and possibilities. This is hard when you’re powering through your day, blasting your to-do list, eyes on the smartphone - always one step ahead (barely) of the next deadline or pitfall.

Luckily, some tasks won’t be rushed. These are golden opportunities to hit pause and find focus and gratitude for the tiniest things - and the larger life that contains them.

Once you start looking for these moments, you’ll find them everywhere - cooking, walking the dog, cleaning the house…

Think of it this way:

• Seek the Slow - Recognize and welcome small tasks that require a slower approach. Pay attention to what they ask of you.

• Focus on the Senses - The feel of a button, the scent or texture of ingredients while cooking, or the sound of a breeze during a walk; tune into the sensory details.

• Reflect - Think about how you might change your entire outlook - and influence your life’s direction - by regularly invoking this focus.

It’s helpful to start small with new habits - to incorporate them into daily life in a way that can be amusing and pleasurable. Slowing down, even briefly, brings clarity and stillness which can shine new light on our path forward.

(Originally published on LinkedIn)