1420: How to Be Mindful During Busy Times by Rachael Kable on Mindfulness & Stress Management

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_00]: This is Optimal Work Daily Episode 1420, How to Be Mindful During Busy Times by Rachael Kable of RachaelKable.com.

[00:00:08] [SPEAKER_00]: And I'm Dan and welcome back to Optimal Work Daily or welcome for the first time if you are new here.

[00:00:13] [SPEAKER_00]: This is where I simply read articles to you each day from great blogs that cover all sorts of work, business, and entrepreneurship related topics.

[00:00:21] [SPEAKER_00]: So for now, let's get right to our post as we start optimizing your life.

[00:00:26] [SPEAKER_00]: How to Be Mindful During Busy Times by Rachael Kable of RachaelKable.com

[00:00:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Have you heard the phrase, work smarter not harder?

[00:00:38] [SPEAKER_00]: It's all about finding new ways to do things so you don't need to sacrifice your time, energy, and effort more than you need to.

[00:00:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Not only do I heed this advice with my work, I try to apply it to my life as well.

[00:00:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Even when I'm busy, I use mindfulness to stay focused, remain calm, and do what I need to do without drowning in overwhelm.

[00:00:56] [SPEAKER_00]: If you're ready to manage busyness and start living smarter, not harder, this article is for you.

[00:01:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Discover four meaningful ways to be more mindful during busy times and build a resilient, supportive mindfulness practice.

[00:01:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Number one, if your heart says no, you say no.

[00:01:13] [SPEAKER_00]: How busy are you for other people?

[00:01:15] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm asking you this question lovingly because when I was particularly stressed and busy, it was rarely for my own reasons.

[00:01:22] [SPEAKER_00]: It was because I said yes to everyone else even when my heart said no.

[00:01:25] [SPEAKER_00]: Be more mindful by listening to your instincts and allowing yourself to be guided by them.

[00:01:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Sometimes it can help to write things down so you can look at the situation more objectively.

[00:01:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Simply write the request, how you feel about it, and whether you instinctively want to say yes or no.

[00:01:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Remember, it's fine to be busy but make sure it's on your own terms and for reasons you believe in.

[00:01:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Two, use your breath to manage overwhelm.

[00:01:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Just like dehydration is a signal for water, stress and overwhelm are signals for mindfulness.

[00:01:56] [SPEAKER_00]: If your heart is pumping, your mind is racing, and your hands are sweating, it's time to tune into your breath.

[00:02:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Even if you only have a few seconds, one deep breath can be enough to help you find more clarity, calm, and relief.

[00:02:08] [SPEAKER_00]: Three, change your thoughts.

[00:02:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Mindfulness can be a powerful way to understand your thoughts and their impact on you.

[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_00]: I actually keep a journal to write down any thoughts which trigger my emotional reactions

[00:02:19] [SPEAKER_00]: so I can be aware of which thoughts influence me to feel certain ways.

[00:02:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Being quote-unquote busy often has negative connotations, and our thoughts, perhaps subconsciously,

[00:02:29] [SPEAKER_00]: prime us to feel stressed before the busyness has even begun.

[00:02:32] [SPEAKER_00]: If this is something which resonates with you, try this exercise.

[00:02:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Write down all your thoughts about being busy.

[00:02:38] [SPEAKER_00]: For example, being busy means I don't have time for myself.

[00:02:41] [SPEAKER_00]: I don't want to be busy.

[00:02:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Being busy means I get things done.

[00:02:45] [SPEAKER_00]: When I'm busy, I feel stressed.

[00:02:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Being busy sometimes motivates me.

[00:02:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Busyness can be fun.

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Now, go through and highlight all the thoughts which will support, uplift, and encourage you during busy times.

[00:02:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Stick them up somewhere prominent and read them regularly,

[00:02:59] [SPEAKER_00]: and you might start to notice that being busy doesn't change but the way you feel about it does.

[00:03:05] [SPEAKER_00]: And four, embrace the meaning of mindfulness.

[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Mindfulness is about being present in a non-judgmental way,

[00:03:12] [SPEAKER_00]: which is a brilliant headspace to maintain during busy times.

[00:03:15] [SPEAKER_00]: As much as you can, keep bringing your attention to whatever you're doing,

[00:03:18] [SPEAKER_00]: and try not to place judgment on it.

[00:03:21] [SPEAKER_00]: How does this help?

[00:03:22] [SPEAKER_00]: One, you are less likely to multitask,

[00:03:24] [SPEAKER_00]: which minimizes the chances of making mistakes and helps you remain focused to get things done faster.

[00:03:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Two, you might not have to experience as many challenging emotions,

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_00]: such as resentment for having to do the dishes,

[00:03:36] [SPEAKER_00]: anger at someone else for slowing you down,

[00:03:38] [SPEAKER_00]: or disappointment if you don't get everything done.

[00:03:41] [SPEAKER_00]: For example, let's imagine you're being mindful while you're driving to work

[00:03:44] [SPEAKER_00]: on the day of an important meeting.

[00:03:46] [SPEAKER_00]: You're paying attention to the road, and you're aware of what is going on in that moment.

[00:03:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Instead of feeling frustrated by a red light, you simply notice you're at a red light.

[00:03:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Whenever you notice your mind wandering to the day ahead,

[00:03:56] [SPEAKER_00]: you bring your focus back to the present by paying attention to what is going on around you.

[00:04:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Potential benefits of this mindfulness practice might be that you drive safer,

[00:04:05] [SPEAKER_00]: you arrive at work feeling less stressed,

[00:04:07] [SPEAKER_00]: you experience a calmer commute,

[00:04:09] [SPEAKER_00]: and you're ready to start the day with a clear, fresh headspace.

[00:04:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Busy times can be challenging, and being mindful might not always be simple or easy.

[00:04:18] [SPEAKER_00]: However, find the mindfulness practices which support you and implement them as much as you can.

[00:04:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Every effort you make will help you build a more resilient mindfulness practice,

[00:04:27] [SPEAKER_00]: which will continue to grow and guide you to live smarter, not harder.

[00:04:35] [SPEAKER_00]: You just listened to the post titled,

[00:04:37] [SPEAKER_00]: How to Be Mindful During Busy Times by Rachel Cable of rachelcable.com.

[00:04:42] [SPEAKER_00]: This show is sponsored by BetterHelp.

[00:04:44] [SPEAKER_00]: We all have non-negotiables.

[00:04:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Maybe you never skip leg day or have to take your morning walks,

[00:04:51] [SPEAKER_00]: but when your schedule is packed with kids' activities, big work projects, and more,

[00:04:55] [SPEAKER_00]: it's easy to let your priorities slip.

[00:04:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Even when we know what makes us happy, it's hard to make time for it.

[00:05:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Therapy can help you reclaim control of your time and values.

[00:05:05] [SPEAKER_00]: And make no mistake, therapy is for everyone.

[00:05:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Whether or not you've been through significant trauma,

[00:05:11] [SPEAKER_00]: therapy can be a great tool for setting boundaries,

[00:05:14] [SPEAKER_00]: learning positive coping skills, and ultimately becoming the best version of yourself.

[00:05:18] [SPEAKER_00]: If you're thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try.

[00:05:21] [SPEAKER_00]: It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule.

[00:05:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist

[00:05:29] [SPEAKER_00]: and switch therapists anytime for no additional charge.

[00:05:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Never skip therapy day with BetterHelp.

[00:05:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Visit betterhelp.com slash work daily today to get 10% off your first month.

[00:05:40] [SPEAKER_00]: That's BetterHelp, H-E-L-P dot com slash work daily.

[00:05:46] [SPEAKER_00]: And thanks so much to Rachel for a great post today.

[00:05:48] [SPEAKER_00]: And she's actually a podcaster as well.

[00:05:51] [SPEAKER_00]: She is the vibrant and warmhearted creator of the Mindful Kind podcast.

[00:05:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Described by her listeners as genuine, down-to-earth, and encouraging,

[00:05:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Rachel is passionate about empowering people around the world

[00:06:01] [SPEAKER_00]: to live more mindfully in fun, simple, and meaningful ways.

[00:06:05] [SPEAKER_00]: And she's certainly got a lot of different ways of empowering people

[00:06:08] [SPEAKER_00]: as she writes about a variety of topics and can also be heard on a few of our other shows

[00:06:12] [SPEAKER_00]: in the OLD network.

[00:06:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Most commonly, Optimal Living Daily though.

[00:06:16] [SPEAKER_00]: That is the show, of course, that started it all.

[00:06:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Okay, that's going to wrap up another episode of Optimal Work Daily.

[00:06:22] [SPEAKER_00]: I thank you so much for being here and be sure to do the same tomorrow

[00:06:25] [SPEAKER_00]: where your optimal life awaits.