Slow it down

Periods of quiet time allow us to put things in perspective.

by Ada Porat — 

Paramahansa Yogananda said, “Always remember that seclusion is the price of greatness. In this tremendously busy life, unless you are more by yourself you can never succeed.”

This quote speaks to me, because I have just spent several days ignoring Yogananda’s wisdom. Rushing about to take care of business and personal demands has left me out of steam. What I realized again is that the busier I am, the less I get done. I am flying from one demand to another, not focusing on any of them.

What Yogananda was talking about in the quote is not really isolation, because you can be all by yourself and yet be dashing frantically from one task to another. Anyone with a home-based business can testify to that.

No, he is advising us to slow down and take time to be quiet. To become centered, not distracted. To become human beings, not human doings.

Periods of quiet time allow us to put things in perspective — to allow our mind to process what is going on and let our subconscious genius bubble to the surface.

Some people meditate, which is an effective way of calming the mind. Others read or take a walk in nature. Yet others, as Thomas Edison or Albert Einstein did, take a nap.

An overwhelming amount of evidence shows that breakthroughs come when your mind is calm and relaxed. Brilliant ideas shine forth when habitual worry and thinking slow down.

After a good mental break, you can return to what needs to be done, feeling refreshed and focused. You will be amazed how much easier things are afterwards.

Slowing down is the secret to long-term productivity. No need to hurry; there is plenty of time. Slow down and let your genius emerge. I feel inspired already.

Ada Porat is an energy kinesiologist and life coach who helps people live their best life. 602-283-4628 or www.AdaPorat.com.

Reprinted from AZNetNews, Volume 30, Number 3, June/July 2011.